ROLFING SESSIONS
Will Rolfing help me with…..?
Rolfing is not prescriptive in nature, meaning it’s not meant to directly address any diagnosis or condition. Rather, Rolfing seeks to align the whole body, and painful conditions may resolve as a result of whole body balance.
Conditions with which I often see improvement include scoliosis, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, hip pain, IT band syndrome, knee pain, SI joint pain, headaches, TMJ and more. Results may vary, however, and will depend on your unique history and circumstances.
How do I schedule a session?
What should I wear to my Rolfing session?
Rolfing is not massage. You will not be draped with a sheet, and your practitioner will ask that you stand, move and possibly stretch or perform balancing exercises. And, Rolfing is traditionally done with people in their appropriate underwear because it allows the practitioner uninhibited assessment of joints and tissues.
So, you’ll want to strike a balance between exposing joints and being comfortable enough to move and stretch. A good rule of thumb is that if you’d wear it to a public swimming pool, it’s probably good for a Rolfing session. For more modesty or comfort, gym shorts and a sports bra (for women) may be worn.
Please DO NOT wear bulky, baggy shorts that cover your knees, thick cotton or khaki, compression leggings, capri length pants that cover your thighs or knees, multiple layers of shirts or long sleeve tops.
Swimsuits are an acceptable substitute for underwear.
Can I come to my Rolfing session straight from the gym/Pilates/dance class/cycling, etc?
Please use standards of good hygiene prior to your session. Shower before you come in. Wear clean clothes. If you’ve been wearing sandals or shoes without socks, give your feet a good wipe down. Please do not apply lotion prior to your session as it makes it difficult to release fascia (you’re too slippery!).
Additionally, while our office is not strictly a scent-free environment, please be considerate of others and try to refrain from wearing heavy amounts of perfume or scented body lotion. Just use your best judgement.
I heard Rolfing hurts. Should I take a muscle relaxer or pain reliever before my session?
Please take all medications as per your usual routine, following doctor’s prescription. That means that if you normally take a muscle relaxer or anti-inflammatory pain reliever, take it. If that’s not normal behavior, please do not medicate for the purpose of your session.
First and foremost, I work within the client’s level of comfort. Most people find Rolfing to be less painful than your average deep tissue massage.
Second, taking a muscle relaxer affects your nervous system. Fascia is deeply linked with your body’s balance and coordination systems. When you take a muscle relaxer – or any other intoxicant – it dulls the body’s ability to feel itself, making our work together less effective. As previously stated, if you usually take these medications and need them to function, and your doctor has prescribed them for you, please take your medication as per usual.
But it’s unnecessary to medicate for the purpose of receiving Rolfing.
I can I smoke marijuana or drink alcohol before my Rolfing session?
Our office has a strict no intoxication policy. If you arrive at your session under the influence of marijuana* or alcohol, we will be unable to work with you and you will be responsible for the cost of the session in full.
*Medical marijuana use for pain purposes may be an exception. Please contact us directly to discuss.
Can I work out after my session?
Movement is an excellent way to integrate the work after a session. I recommend keeping the intensity at a light to moderate level for the first 24 hours and only approaching high-intensity training with caution 24 hours or more after your session. If you are an athlete with a strict training schedule and are worried about missing your workouts, it’s best to exercise prior to your session and then try to maximize the time until you train next, ideally a full 24 hours or as many as you can manage. Call or email my office if you have questions regarding this. I’m committed to making this work for you in the best way possible.
How often should I come in for Rolfing?
Most people do best with one to two weeks between sessions.
BILLING
Does insurance cover Rolfing?
Insurance does not cover Rolfing, in general. My office does not bill insurance; however, some people have had success with submitting receipts for reimbursement as massage treatment. You may need a doctor’s prescription for your plan to cover services. Check with your insurance company for exact details.
I need a receipt to submit to my insurance company for reimbursement. What do I do?
You should have received an email or text message receipt from Square when you paid for your session. This should include all coding required by your insurance company. If you did not receive the receipt, contact us and we will resend it.
Can I use my health savings account or flexible spending account to pay for Rolfing?
Yes. Just make sure you get a receipt as your insurance company might want documentation.