Your First Appointment

What to Expect

rolfingneck_smallWith new clients, we encourage you to get started with a CD of short, easy movement lessons that you can practice at home before coming in for your first Rolf® session. This helps you to become more flexible and warmed up in your joints. If you haven’t already filled out the health history and contact information forms, please come about ten minutes early to the first session so you have time to do so. If there is a session in process, these forms should be available on on a clipboard in the waiting room.

Reviewing your responses, we’ll discuss Rolfing® theory and practice, your health history and concerns, and your goals and expectations for the work. Next, we’ll begin the ongoing process of getting to know your structure, posture and movement patterns.

rolfhandsAfter a postural evaluation, you’ll be asked to lie on the table. Sessions usually begin with neck work to help us tune into what’s going on in your system. Your neck may feel tight due to long-standing holding patterns, or short-term anxiety over a problem at work. Both cause tension in your neck and shoulders, but feel very different in your tissue. Ongoing attention to this area, combining Rolfing® manipulation and heightened body awareness, helps you tune into the session and goes a long way toward improving overall results.

rolfinglegs_smallSession one focuses on freeing the torso to allow fuller breath. We’ll work toward this goal by working superficial tissue, which affects the breathing mechanism—predominantly areas around the ribcage, shoulders, arms, and hips. During the session, we’ll ask you to breathe into areas being worked and move your body in various directions. In addition to facilitating the lengthening, freeing, and repositioning connective tissue, this participation allows your system to explore unfamiliar movement patterns and refine body awareness. All factors allowing us to significantly affect posture and balance.

Throughout the session, you’ll get a chance to walk around, evaluate your experience, note changes, and provide input for continuing the process. Neck and back work is included at the end of almost every session to balance and integrate the work into the body. Time is also dedicated to functional movement education and training sometimes using the Feldenkrais Method® as homework. This will give you something to do everyday to deepen our work on your tissues, allow the nervous system to integrate changes on a deeper level, and get used to moving, sitting, and walking in an easier way.

What to Wear

Most clients receive work in their underwear. Briefs are preferable to boxers for men; traditional panties and bra work well for women. If you’re not comfortable with this stage of undress, other options are available. A pair of loose-fitting, short, cotton gym shorts, or yoga-type stretchy shorts, are good options.

We can work with a variety of clothing, just keep the following in mind:

You must be comfortable. Unlike massage, Rolfing® requires you to get up from the table and walk around periodically.
Clothing should not pinch or bind. If you can lie on the table and pull one knee to your chest without resistance, you’re in good shape.
Clothing should allow us to view and work around your upper legs, mid-back, and neck. Sports bras are difficult to navigate around the mid-back.
Avoid heavy lycra. Bicycle shorts, girdles, and other garments containing lycra are nearly impossible to work through.
It’s also a good idea to bring some work-out clothes (shorts and a tee-shirt) if we want to incorporate stretches using yoga mats, balance balls, or other training equipment.

Session Frequency

The amount of time between sessions varies and is determined on an individual basis. Most clients schedule sessions about a week to two weeks apart.

Call Judi to talk about scheduling your first appointment. Call (319) 541-6957.

I had never heard of Rolfing until (a friend) suggested I meet with you and give it a try. I have chronic joint and muscle pain. Some days I am fine and other days I have a lot of pain. I was very pleased at your ability to listen to my concerns and know the type of exercises and therapy I needed. You are very skilled in your profession. I felt very good after my sessions and they have had lasting improvement to my pain.  I have not had a ‘bad’ day of pain since I met with you.
Cheryl, retired corporate executive, Pennsylvania