Rolfing® and Chronic Pain: An Update from Expert, Ann M. Matney

September is “Pain Awareness Month”, so I couldn’t think of a better time to share this most important update, or unofficial addendum, to our Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain book.

Expert at the Rolfing Institute, Ann M. Matney, was kind enough to let me know the nitty gritty. Following is what she shared.

As human beings going through life, we develop postural and movement patterns that deeply inform who we are.  From physical ease to chronic pain at varying levels, how we inhabit our bodies creates the background of our immediate experience.  My passion is to guide clients through the Rolfing® ten-series, which allows them to explore posture and movement with new awareness and often releases them from limiting patterns that cause pain and discomfort. 

I am a certified Rolfer® in Bozeman, MT and I’ve been practicing for 14 years.  I want to thank you for writing Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain: The Mind-Body Connection, an accessible, informative book that opens the doors to the world of integrative medicine as treatment for these difficult conditions. 

I found the section on Rolfing® Structural Integration to be well-written and accurate, picking up on many of the subtleties that are often glossed over or misunderstood.  So, I thank you for your careful assessment.

What is Rolfing?

One of the main issues that the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration seeks to clarify in the press is that, despite the use of a physical contact that is comparable to “myofascial release”, structural integration is not a form of massage. Rolfing/Structural Integration is a separate lineage with its own history, as well as its own schools and separate continuing education.  One cannot learn massage at a “Structural Integration (SI)” school, nor properly learn SI at a massage school.  In fact, “myofascial release” and “deep tissue massage” are offshoots of Rolfing.  

The Difference between Rolfing and Massage

An important distinction between Rolfing and myofascial release is that Rolfing strategically lengthens fascia that is shortened, while avoiding lengthening fascia that is relatively long, so that the person achieves maximal balance between agonist/antagonist muscle pairs as well as creating more balance at each joint.  

Rolfing also includes postural and movement re-education for sitting, standing, walking, and so forth, so that the client can consciously integrates new postural and movement balance. I say all this as a means of explanation for why we decline to have structural integration referred to as massage.

Is Rolfing Painful?

Clients with fibromyalgia and other chronic pain disorders need not be fearful that Rolfing is “aggressive”.  When the practitioner has a patient-focused approach, it may be used successfully because current structural integration training and practice is intentionally neither aggressive nor painful. While there was a belief that more intensity yielded more results when Rolfing was first emerging as a bodywork, that thinking has been extinguished for decades at both institutional and individual levels.   

Complements to Rolfing

Craniosacral therapy and neurofeedback can reduce anxiety and lift depression, allowing clients to experience a sense of peacefulness and integration that compliments Rolfing. I help clients inhabit their physical selves in a new and deeper way so that comfort and integration can become their new normal.  

Ann M. Matney has a B.A. in philosophy from Smith College, is a certified Rolfer® by the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration, and she is trained in craniosacral therapy and neurofeedback.  She is currently enrolled as a graduate student in a rehabilitation counseling at Montana State University.

Footnote

Annie tells me the International Association of Structural Integrators sets the standards for structural integrators. Rolfers® (which should be capitalized every time and followed by the registered trademark symbol for the first occurrence) are one group, namely those certified by the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration in Boulder, CO.

In healing,,Celeste

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"Adversity is only an obstacle if we fail to see opportunity."  

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Celeste Cooper, RN

Author—Patient—Freelance Writer at Health Central & ProHealth —Advocate

Celeste’s Website: http://CelesteCooper.com

BODY-WORK: The Anatomy’s ’ Labor of Love Manual therapies you might find helpful for chronic pain.

by Celeste Cooper, RN

Chronic pain wears us down regardless of the source. There are many painful disorders recognized in May, and I have discussed ways to advocate and raise awareness, now it is time to say something about what we can do to help our body not only function better, but feel better too.

Self-Responsibility, “…One thing that seems to have been forgotten to a surprising degree is the lifelong plasticity of most of our bodies’ tissues, and the manner in which our whole style of living molds this plasticity in innumerable ways that could never be anticipated by the coding of our DNA.
~ Deane Juhan, author of Job’s Body: A Handbook for Bodywork

  

The myofascia covers all muscles, and it is part of the largest organ structure of the body, connective tissue. Is it any wonder so many chronic pain conditions share myofascial dysfunction?

The continuum of connective tissue for the most part is not made up from living cells, instead it is made up of fluids and fiber. Because of this, we need to help it along either manually or by stretching, keeping the life fluids going in and the waste fluids going out.

Massage therapy

Somewhere along the line, we forgot about the value of touch. As one of our major senses, touch has more than one job. It provides information to the brain regarding impending danger, and it provides feelings of comfort and caring. Massage therapy provides helpful feedback to the body and the brain, promotes relaxation, and relieves stress and physical pain and mobilizes stagnant fluid in the lymph system which is dependent on physical movement and manual stimulation.

The type of massage therapy depends upon your personal tolerance. Until your brain learns to like it, it is prudent to start with soft touch. As you progress, you should eventually be able tolerate bodywork that helps with deep muscle and joint function.

Massage therapy versus bodywork

Massage is a manipulation of the body using hands on touch therapy by stroking, kneading, and rubbing soft tissue. Massage is sometimes accompanied by aroma therapy, hot rocks, and other modalities to help you

achieve a full body experience.

Bodywork on the other hand, is a distinct therapy and requires advanced training. Bodywork targets specific areas of the anatomy that are holding back the body as a whole. It is a systematic therapy with specific goals for improving function and feelings of well-being. For instance, a good bodyworker knows how to break down restrictive tissue, such as adhesions and scars, and treat knotted up and tense muscles, thereby restoring the normal flow of blood and lymph. When you see a bodyworker, it is prudent to start with the problem that bothers you the most, pain, swelling, muscle weakness, etc.

The goal of both massages therapy and bodywork is to restore balance to the mind-body connection.

Myofascial trigger point massage/bodywork

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) has been associated with spinal disease, arthritis, sport injury, post surgical restrictions, migraine, chronic pelvic pain (including vulvodynia and bladder disorders), teeth grinding, TMJ, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, restless leg syndrome, TMJ, bowel dysfunction, sexual dysfunction and impotence, and the list goes on from there.

If you know you have co-existing myofascial pain syndrome which is identified as myofascial trigger points lasting more than three months,  specific bodywork is indicated. Read more here. 

Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are called “neurological imitators.” This explains why physicians who do not understand MPS are perplexed by what they think are unexplained tingling, numbness, or sensations of needles and pins, or other associated sensation abnormalities their patients often experience.

Myofascial trigger point pressure therapy by someone trained in the work of Travell and Simons, here,  is helpful in this instance.  You can also learn to do self treatment using tools such as tennis balls, Theracane, or Knobbers, Yoga ball, swim noodles, and a good book on self treatment, such as Clair Davies, The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief, forward by Dr. David Simons. (May you both RIP gentle souls).

Basically, any organ or body system can be affected by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), they can also obstruct blood circulation, nerve transmission, and lymphatic flow. Learn more about MTrPs here. 

Conclusion

Bodywork and massage therapy comes in many shapes and sizes. The good news is that the current level of thinking among medical practitioners is that it works!

The next hurdle to overcome is getting insurance to cover it as a helpful medical tool. I want you to know that people are fighting for the integration of these types of therapies and more.  Raising awareness, such as what we do at the Pain Action Alliance to Implement a National Strategy, here, will help in these endeavors.

The goal of and bodywork is to keep all body parts in motion with the least amount of stress. Learn more about different types of bodywork, such as, Alexander technique, craniosacral therapy, shiatsu, myofascial release, reflexology, Rolfing, Rosen method, myofascial trigger point therapy, self treatment for myofascial trigger points, spray and stretch, acupressure, Trager work, Vodder manual lymphatic massage/drainage, and how to find the right, qualified therapist here.

You can also find helpful tips on massage and finding the right therapist in the Fall Devotions of the Broken Body, Wounded Spirit: Balancing the See-Saw of Chronic Pain, here.

*As with everything medical, there are some risks for certain people. These include, fear of touch, bleeding disorders or take blood-thinning medication, burns, open or healing wounds, blood clots in the veins, fractures, severe osteoporosis (brittle bone disease), or other severe bleeding disorders. If you are in doubt, be sure to check with your physician.  

All answers and blogs are based on the author's opinions and writing and are not meant to replace medical advice.  For more information about the author see http://TheseThree.com

Check pub med for citations

As with any new therapy, discuss any risks for your particular condition with your physician first.

Answers are based on the writings/books of the author and are not meant to replace medical advice.