Matthewssomatics.com is currently being renovated. Please email in**@in********************.com or call 919-564-6960 to contact Toby directly.
Toby sees clients at the following locations:
InsideOut Body Therapies: Tuesday and Thursday
2814 Hillsborough Rd., Durham: Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
About Rolfing® Structural Integration
Rolfing® Structural Integration (“Rolfing” or “SI”) is a unique body therapy that utilizes hands-on connective tissue manipulation and movement education to balance the whole body in gravity. Dr. Ida P. Rolf developed Rolfing® more than fifty years ago. This practice offers clients an unparalleled opportunity to improve their posture and movement patterns, and often to reduce their pain symptoms.
Unlike other types of bodywork (such as massage), Rolfing® integrates and balances the body in gravity. The practitioner assesses and reassesses the standing, sitting, and moving body constantly during a session, which makes the changes Rolfing® evokes applicable to daily life. Rolfing® benefits clients of all ages and health levels, with goals ranging from improved athletic performance to pain reduction and prevention.
What is a Rolfing® Series?
Rolfing® is taught in a Series of sessions that gently spiral through the body several times. Each session progressively builds support and adaptability into the body’s structure where needed. The sessions methodically balance the body from front to back, side to side, top to bottom, and inside to outside.
Clients seeking overall pain management and wellness benefit most from at least a twelve session Series. Once completed, most clients do not require “tune ups” for a year or more. Others come weekly or monthly for symptom maintenance.
A Series is not a rigid form. It is a commonsense, principle-based decision-making process that we easily modify to meet each client’s goals and physical capabilities.
What scientific evidence supports Rolfing as a body therapy?
Research into connective tissue manipulation and Rolfing®, in particular, are very active fields at the moment. Older research indicates that Rolfing® helps refine movement patterns and creates more efficient muscle use, in addition to significantly enhancing neurological functioning and pelvic inclination. Newer studies are exploring connective tissue hydration through manual manipulation and the presence of contractile cells in the connective tissue.
Science Magazine had an excellent write up about the recent First International Fascia Research Congress in its November 23, 2007 issue (vol. 318, pp. 1234-5). The Congress brought together SI practitioners and fascia researchers from many diverse fields including cell biology and biophysics. A second successful Congress was held in 2009 and another is in the planning stages for 2012.
I’ve heard that Rolfing® is painful. Is that true?
Toby frequently works on deep layers of the soft tissue, but working deeply does not necessarily mean working at a highly uncomfortable level of physical intensity. The best Rolfers® constantly communicate with their clients, while continuously modulating their touch to allow the body to open most effectively.
Toby believes that the client is not just a passive recipient of the bodywork, but an active collaborator in the process. If a person has to brace a part of their body or hold their breath to receive the work, Toby wants to know about it. Also, if some manipulation feels particularly helpful or allows the client to relate to parts of their body in new ways, those insights can be helpful to share as well.
How many sessions will I need before I feel results?
One or two sessions may effectively alleviate some symptoms or complaints, but in our experience, a Series provides clients with the greatest benefit. Every 2-3 weeks is a good pace for ongoing sessions, but they can be spaced more or less frequently according to the client’s goals and budget. Scheduling sessions more often than once a week or less often than once a month is not recommended.
I’m not sure Rolfing® is right for me. Do you offer consultations?
Toby offers all new clients a complimentary, 30-minute consultation. During this time, they can discuss their overall health and wellness goals and concerns, and determine an appropriate course of body therapy. Time allowing, Toby will also work on the potential client a little so that they can get a sense of what SI feels like.
What if I have to cancel an appointment?
Please give 24 hours notice when canceling a Rolfing® session to avoid being charged for the session.
Rolfing Benefits
Rolfing® Structural Integration benefits clients of all ages and all health levels, whose goals range from improved athletic performance to pain reduction and prevention.
Some of the major benefits include:
- Posture improvement
- Athletic performance improvement
- Chronic stress reduction
- Scoliosis treatment
- Chronic low back pain management
- Reduced frequency and severity of stress and migraine headaches
- Reduction and prevention of repetitive motion injuries and other trauma
- Reduction and prevention of fibromyalgia symptoms, myofascial pain, and other pain patterns throughout the body
- Lessened pain from TMJ dysfunction
- Carpal tunnel syndrome pain management
- Emotional and spiritual growth
- Improved energy levels and stamina
- Injurious movement pattern correction
- Problematic movement pattern prevention, especially in children
- Improved freedom of movement and overall body awareness
Other Frequently Asked Questions
A: With your assistance, Toby performs a structural and movement assessment (what we prefer to call a “body reading”). You will both say what you notice about your body to help you plan strategies for achieving the goals of the session. Each session is a collaborative process.
Toby engages the body’s connective tissue and encourages you to move, stretch, and describe your experience. Together, you will work to free restrictions involved in maladaptive postures or movement patterns and find ways of maintaining that freedom and ease of movement in all activities.
Your session may evoke many different sensations, such as stretching, warmth, release, and pressure. Though Toby often works with deep structures in the body, these areas are often best accessed through gentleness and patience.
At times, the level of sensation during a session can be intense, but the client is in charge of the intensity level. Change can be more fully integrated when the client can breathe freely and allow physical restrictions to change without tensing or bracing against pain.
A: We recommend wearing some combination of: boxers, briefs, gym shorts, underwear, a bra, a camisole, or a two-piece bathing suit. We do not recommend wearing sports bras, as they cover much of the back and spine.
Due to the movement work often incorporated in a session, we do not recommend working without any clothes. The most important things are that the client feels comfortable, and that the structures of the body are easily accessible for manual work.
We recommend bringing a journal for recording exercises and notes about each session. Bring a water bottle to your session and use our filtered water dispenser at the studio to fill or refill it!
A: Sessions are $150 and last typically last between 75 and 90 minutes. You are welcome to buy more than one session at a time. Elite and Professional Athletes are $175. One or two sessions may effectively alleviate some symptoms or complaints, but in our experience, a Series provides clients the greatest benefit.
Every two to three weeks is a good pace for ongoing sessions, however, they can be spaced more or less frequently according to your goals and budget. Scheduling sessions more often than once a week or less often than once a month is not recommended.
A: Some insurance plans cover Rolfing as massage therapy and others as Rolfing or Structural Integration. Matthews Somatics does not file insurance for Rolfing, but we are happy to provide you with treatment codes so that you can submit claims for reimbursement.
Typically, insurance companies require a diagnosis from a physician before treatment. Many of our clients choose to pay for Rolfing from their flexible healthcare spending accounts. This may also require a referral from your physician.
A: Yes! We offer gift certificates in many denominations, attractively packaged and perfect for birthdays, holidays, and more. Call or email the studio to learn more. Purchase Gift Certificates Online
InsideOut Body Therapies