| |
Rolfing is now available at Pure Treatment Rooms, Harrogate.
What is Rolfing?
Rolfing is an internationally recognized system of soft tissue manipulation
and movement education. Developed over 50 years ago by Dr. Ida Rolf,
it aims to balance and integrate the major segments of the body
in order to ease pain, release areas of tension and allow the body
an easy upright posture and more relaxed patterns of movement.
How does Rolfing work?
Every muscle fibre, joint and organ is surrounded by a layer of
connective tissue (fascia) which holds, separates and supports the
various segments of the body. Fascia runs throughout the body in
varying degrees of strength and thickness. This structure constantly
changes to meet the demands
put on it by having to support the body. If an area of fascia is
tight or misaligned, the excess tension may appear as nagging joint
pain, muscle soreness or postural shift. Rolfing aims to release
these patterns of tension and rebalance the body in ways that produce
lasting results. Just as the fascia can thicken, become hard and
pull, so it can be relaxed, softened and reintegrated. Rolfing uses
direct pressure to melt or release fascial holdings which allows
the body to find health through reestablishment of balance.
What is Rolfing good for?
Rolfing is useful for clients of all ages and backgrounds. The primary
goal is to reestablish balance and ease of movement in order to
resolve chronic pains and discomforts related to causes such as
postural habit, trauma, repetitive strain injury, ageing and others.
Better mobility and function throughout the body help prevent sports
injuries, improve appearanceand give an increased sense of vitality.
What Happens During a Session?
In the first session the client is observed while standing and in
movement to make an assessment and set the goals for the individual
sessions and for the course as a whole. The client will normally
be dressed in their underwear, swimwear or similar, to enable assessment.
Photographs can be taken in order to track the changes made over
the course of treatments.
After the assessment the client will be asked to lie on the massage
table, and the practitioner uses trained touch to carefully apply
pressure and movement to the fascial tissue. This is an active process
in which the client is encouraged to participate with movement cues
from the Rolfer. In this way new awareness of co-ordination and
relation to the body is learnt.
Rolfing is deep connective tissue work, and as such the work can
be strong and occasionally intense. Sensations during a session
can range from pleasurable to momentarily uncomfortable when working
with tight restricted areas. The treatment as a whole is usually
regarded as enjoyable.
Thai Massage :
Traditional Thai massage is a form of oriental bodywork originating
over 2000 years ago. The massage consists of rhythmical massage
techniques, deep stretching and gentle pressure along the energy
meridians of the body. The treatment helps to improve flexibility,
release areas of stress and tension and promote relaxation and a
feeling of vitality.
What is it?
Thai massage is carried out on a thin mattress laid out on the floor.
The client is stretched and massaged in a variety of different positions
designed to efficiently reach and release areas of muscle and connective
tissue which are often overlooked in a traditional Western (Swedish)
massage. It is sometimes referred to as Thai Yoga massage.
The massage is carried out through loose clothing and no oil is
used. The duration is 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours.
What is it useful for?
This massage can be useful for specific pain relief to a general
relaxation treatment. Special techniques can be used to treat specific
problems such arising in the musculoskeletal system (eg. back/shoulder
tension, sports injuries), and the relaxing effect of the treatment
helps to balance the nervous system and thus improve general body
function.
The client can choose on a firm or gentle massage depending on his/her
goals for the themselves.
Sams
training consisted of several courses taken in Thailand, as he
wanted to experience the difference between the Northern style
(which consists of more and deeper stretching) and the Bangkok
and Southern style (more emphasis on strong massage and energy
manipulation). Treatment consists of elements of both, and Sam
achieved diplomas in Body and Foot massage in Wat Pho Medical
School, Bangkok; Levels 1 and 2 Body massage at 'The Fine Art
of Thai Massage', Chiang Mai; and also studied with Ancient Sen
Healing massage Ajarn Ong Dam in Chiang Mai.
Please click
here for more information on treatments or to
book an appointment please contact me on :
|
|
