I have often observed in my own practice, that a similar applied technique can yield completely different results. One client walked away feeling almost “healed” and another, well the impact in that session was no greater than that of a fart in a tornado. So, throughout my journey I have have been searching for techniques that might bring greater results. A technique that may have nothing to do really with the tools from either of the two disciplines that I practice. Rolfing has specific ways to apply tools of the trade, and cranial work brings a whole completely different set of rules and tools. In cranial work we talk about field dynamics and the practitioner fulcrum from which all the work unfolds or streams forth. Rolfing requires a quality of attention because fascial envelopes move throughout the body and our touch must be able to discern far from the place of contact. Those who know very little about Rolfing miss the subtleties of her art form. Cranial work is often thought of as purely energetic and also miss the subtle awareness of the practitioner must embody. When I was first taught cranial approach from the Upledger Institute there really was no emphasis on practitioner fulcrums. It was essentially following the purported moves of the bones, and then “adjusting” them sequentially. The Biodynamic Cranial training changed most of that.

When I was just started to ‘wear the healer’s robes” at the Rolf Institute, I heard a story about Dr. Rolf who had been involved in a study conducted by Dr. Valerie Hunt at UC Davis in the 60’s or 70’s. I am not sure of the dates. Roselyn Bruyere, who is the famous healer intuitive, was asked to observe various healers perform their art during this study. Roselyn’s part was to observe the flow of energy from the hands and field of each participant. She said, that she had never observed anyone “run” so much energy out of their hands as Dr Rolf. Hearing this story while I was a newbie at the Institute, I intuitively understood their was much more going on in the work then just techniques that could border on harshness, especially since many of my teachers also practiced cranial and visceral work. [Read more…]

I have been asked recently in one of my massage continuing education classes if I have many clients who have had a hip replacement. I answered plenty, and some with both hips replaced. I marvel at our trauma medicine and what it has been able to accomplish in the past 100 years!

The illiofemoral joint is a deeply cupped ball and socket joint with very strong muscles and ligaments attached to it. Consequently, many of the impacts and pulls that are placed upon can  create pain and dysfunction  Dr. Ida Rolf, the founder of Structural Integration commonly known as Rolfing, believed that the hip joint was the greatest determining factor in postural symmetry.

For any massage therapist who is pursuing insights in the hip and lower back pain in a massage continuing equation courses,  they should explore methodologies and approaches that bring balance into the joint because of the long term wear and tear that usually leads to the necessity of a replacement. Often times when I ask my clients if there was anything that precipitated their painful condition that necessitated the surgery, there was no determining factor that could be addressed that could be considered responsible for the replacement…only conjecture. So, its extremely important for the  therapist to begin to educate their clients to the necessity of focused work in the hip as a preventative measure. [Read more…]

Its approaching the end of my 26th year of practice and all I can say is “where did the time go”! Plenty of it was spent hanging out riding the craniosacral wave and navigating the fascial web as Rolfer. It’s hard to believe how quickly my days have flown since the first days at the Rolf Institute.

Pain has been the motivating factor that brings most people to my table, and I have created a wonderful lifestyle helping to free people from their suffering. I have also learned how important it is for my clients to have exercises to keep their structure balanced, so that they can keep a fluid alignment. If they do the exercises at home, very often that is all that is needed for them to stay comfortable in their bodies, despite the unnatural conditions we are subjecting ourselves to on a daily basis. I am also taking a larger lead in recommending supplementation to assist my clients on their journey. Inflammation challenges the system constantly, and the associated pain that often accompanies unchecked inflammation, makes it difficult for us to be as effective with our manual skills, because of the patients inability to “hold” the work. I highly recommend that other therapists look upon inflammation as as source to be reckoned with in the repair mechanism that we stimulate. A well thought out, scientifically proven course of anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatories like fish oils and tocotrienols, turmeric, cardamom, as well nitric oxide precursors, all are valuable in bringing balance back into our patients bodies. [Read more…]