Rolfing™ Structural integration
Fawn Sewell Certified Rolfer™/RMT
With over 25 years in practice, I operate a home-based clinic set in a quiet West Edmonton area. I have been a full-time practicing RMT since receiving my certification in 1999. In 2013 I received my designation in Rolfing® Structural Integration. I value the opportunity to support my clients on their journey toward optimal health and well-being.
Many clients, suffering from chronic pain, continue to struggle with discomfort even after trying many conventional therapies. They often discover Rolfing in their continued search for a long-lasting solution. Rolfing sessions can offer incredible results and help you regain a comfortable relationship with your body.
How I discovered Rolfing SI:
I incurred a lower back injury during an exercise class. I tried several types of treatments with a moderate amount of temporary symptomatic relief but the underlying cause remained and I would regularly experience pain and restricted mobility. I began noticing that the way I moved (vacuuming the car, picking up heavier items…etc) exacerbated my pain. My MD suggested I stop performing those activities. It was a solution I was not prepared to accept, instead I decided to try Rolfing SI.
After two Rolfing sessions I knew two things. This was the therapy that was really going to help my injury and this was the therapy I wanted to offer my clients.
Fawn Sewell is a member in good standing with the National Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC). Her Massage Therapy License number is accepted by all insurance providers in Alberta meeting the 2200-hour competency equivalency requirement.
Rolfing® Structural Integration
What is Rolfing Structural Integration?
Rolfing Structural Integration is hands-on bodywork that focuses on aligning the body. Those who are certified to practice this type of bodywork are known as Rolfers™.
Structural imbalances of the body, can lead to chronic pain, disability or inhibited movement. An example is misaligned posture manifesting itself as back pain. Rolfers address the root causes of these imbalances through manipulation of connective tissue and movement education. Our aim is to realign and balance the body’s structure and to optimize movement.
Rolfing SI differs from other types of bodywork in that the entire body structure is assessed on how it interrelates. In this way, a Rolfer will focus on the primary causes of problems, and not on secondary symptomatic relief. The results are long lasting.
How does it work?
The idea behind the Rolfing approach is that everything (muscles, ligaments, tendons, organs, bones) in the body is lined with a thin layer called fascia. This lining allows body parts to move and slide relative to each other, which is extremely important to any movement. Fascia also has a hand in defining the length of muscles, tendons and ligaments. Cumulatively it helps define our body shape or posture. Fascia will compensate for injury, aging, or poor movement patterns by hardening, adhering, reducing length and elasticity, in an effort to support the body. Even with mild trauma, fascia can harden, reshape itself and stay in that new state. This binding creates misalignment, creating inefficiencies, pain, poor posture and restricted movement.
However, bound fascia will respond to pressure and manipulation to become softer, longer, enabling it to slide again. The Rolfer applies this concept in balancing and aligning the entire body structure, resulting in pain reduction, improved posture and more efficient movement.
What are the benefits of Rolfing structural integration?
Better, more efficient movement, less stress, less pain, enhanced performance, better balance. Some people seeking to get more in touch with their bodies will appreciate an increased awareness and develop more integrated movement choices that enhance the body and mind. Some people try Rolfing sessions as a way to move forward. They are aware that emotional and mental patterns are locked within the body, and have gone as far as they can with practices like meditation or talk therapy.
What happens during a Rolfing session?
After reviewing your health history and discussing your concerns and goals, you will be asked to perform simple movements and everyday actions. These assessments will allow me to see structural imbalances that may be causing problems or relate to your issues. If you are interested, front, back and side photographs may be taken for analysis and later comparison.
The work is done in a comfortable private space on a sturdy padded table. Rolfing® Structural Integration differs from other types of bodywork in that the practitioner and client must work together. The Rolfer guides the client through a series of movements and manipulates the targeted tissue gently but deeply, working toward specific results for each session.