Whole-Body Integration

Rolfing® and Chiropractic

Clients often ask me what I think of chiropractic. The best answer may be to start by saying that both Rolfing® and chiropractic seek to align the body, but they approach this in different ways. Rolfing looks primarily at the fascia (connective tissue) system of the body, which is what puts tensional forces on the bones. Chiropractic looks primarily at the alignment of the bones/joints. A simple metaphor is that in the body structure, the bones are the scaffolding, the muscles are the movers, and the fascia is what holds it all together. 

A Rolfer® lengthens and balances fascia, changing the tension on the bones/joints. From this, the bone/joint may move into better alignment on its own, but in the case of joints that are very locked up, chiropractic or osteopathic adjustment may be needed even after the soft tissue is balanced.  

A chiropractor moves a joint into proper alignment, giving a "reset" signal in the nerves around the joint. This may allow the soft tissue to rebalance on its own, but it often will not be sufficient. This is why you often hear people say they have to go to their chiropractors frequently to have the same problem areas adjusted over and over again for flare-ups and pain. 

Doing both Rolfing® and chiropractic together is the ideal way to achieve a goal of pain relief and improved posture. This is particularly true if you have recently been in an auto accident or work accident, to speed your recovery. Also, a stiff or older body – or one that is worked hard in sports or on the job – definitely benefits from both types of work. Clients who go through a Rolfing series typically find that they are able to reduce the frequency of their visits to the chiropractor to basic health and maintenance sessions – which is what a good chiropractor wants. 

Thus, Rolfing and chiropractic can easily go hand in hand, each helping the other. I frequently cross-refer with chiropractors. They like my work because it makes their clients' bodies easier to adjust and brings down pain levels. I like their work as it helps keep clients' bodies mobile and supports my goal of better alignment. 

Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain is a challenging issue for many women - one that can be hard to speak about, and hard to find effective treatment for. It can involve pain in the pelvic musculature or genitals, or pain with intercourse. Flare-ups can cause discomfort with sitting and exercising as well.

I've worked with a small number of women with this condition and have found that multiple modalities are usually called for. I've gotten good results from Rolfing® techniques to balance the pelvic fascias and musculature, especially combined with nerve release techniques (another form of manual therapy). Sometimes visceral work to release strain patterns around the pelvic organs has helped, sometimes craniosacral balancing to the sacrum and SI joints. I usually get a sense of which techniques to start with through a postural assessment and good medical/injury history. For example, falls onto the tailbone can cause imbalances in musculature and fascia that travel through the pelvic floor.

Given that the matter is complex, and requires different approaches, one may need to see multiple practitioners. I also recommend osteopathic treatment, and physical therapy - particularly if one can find a PT specializing in this syndrome. 

What is important to note is that manual therapy techniques can make a difference in reducing pain and improving quality of life.