Liz Edelman Rolfing® & Massage

Radical Idea: combine one, two or all three of my modalities (Rolfing, massage and cupping). I can't help but be influenced by all of the modality trainings I've received. At this point, it is incredibly difficult for me to provide a single modality session. My Rolfing® education taught me to look at the body as a whole and at how different parts of the body influence each other. Contrast that with how my massage and cupping educations emphasized the physiological results of manual work. I can't help but bare that in mind when trying to increase fluidity in an area, knowing the effects on blood and lymph circulation.

I provide massage for people of all ages! Massage is great for children on the spectrum for those with anxiety or depression, for athletes and more. The same can be said for teens. Massage is also excellent for those in their 60s and beyond. Massage can be beneficial for achy joints, tight muscles and even the skin as it helps to improve circulation.

How to prepare for your session: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate Eat at least a small meal Avoid sun exposure to the area you want cupped Get plenty of sleep Avoid alcohol for 1-2 days before your session Post Care: Drink lots of water. It’s important to support the movement of the fluids from cupping by drinking plenty of water. Add electrolytes to your water if this is something you’ve done in the past during hard workouts or other activities. This will further support your hydration Eat nutritious food such as fresh fruits and lots of veggies Don’t skip meals, keep your blood sugar steady Avoid alcohol for at least 2 days. Alcohol is hard on your kidneys and liver which are working hard to filter all the material released

Many clients find that regular maintenance sessions done on a monthly basis to be the best for long-term health and wellness. If you're just wanting to address a specific issue, I suggest we start with a series of three sessions and see how you feel after each one. Sometimes that is enough to resolve an issue and sometimes it's not. A lot depends on how long term or deeply engrained the issue is. I will work with you to analyze what has led to your current issue (an accident, chronic movement pattern etc) and develop a maintenance plan you can complete on your own. Some clients are able to address their issue with a combination of massage/bodywork and lifestyle changes and find that, after the initial bodywork is done, they only need bodywork during flare ups or when they "tweak" something.

Rolfing: You have the choice of remaining clothed during your session. Wear something you're comfortable walking around in, something that is thin and not restrictive. I will do a structural assessment before and after the session and sometimes in the middle of a session. You can choose to dress minimally such as underwear and bra or shorts and t-shirt or you can choose to wear more, such as leggings and a shirt. Massage: You will be partially or fully undressed according to your comfort level and the focus of the work (body area we'll be working on). Many clients prefer to wear underwear during sessions. Cupping: You will be partially or fully undressed according to your comfort level and the focus of the work (body area we'll be working on). The most common cupping placement areas are back (upper to lower), upper chest (pectoralis) and arms, shoulders and neck.

Although historically it has been customary to tip massage therapists, that is not the case for Rolfers. Because I do both types of bodywork (plus energy work) I prefer to steer clear of the whole tipping business and price my sessions accordingly. Please do not feel you need to tip me.

Rolfing SI is a form of therapy that helps the body move with more fluidity and grace. It works on the fascia, or connective tissue, throughout the body. Originally designed as a series of ten sessions, Rolfing SI looks at the body as a whole and works to improve relationships between the different functioning parts. Often, the work is aimed at creating more space throughout the body, as living a modern life tends to compress our bodies. Rolfing Structural Integration works with each individual to reach the highest level of movement and integration possible. "Rolfers™ maintain that the human structure is not fixed, but rather is highly mutable. Structure can deteriorate over time, due to injury, trauma, habits and repetitive patterns that cause inhibitions in movement, which can become chronic restrictions in tissue. However, structure can also change for the better, at almost any point in life." -The Dr. Ida Rolf Institute® Standards of Practice

After discussing your intake form, I will most likely ask you to perform a few standing movement diagnostics. Then, once you are comfortable on the bodywork table, I will check joint range of motion, alignment and tissue tone. Along with these physical tests, I use SourcePoint Therapy - a simple non-invasive energetic diagnostic and treatment system - that helps me locate blocks or places of disconnection. After reflecting on this wide array of information, I will formulate a course of action that respects what your body has to share about its own healing while addressing your goals and concerns.

People from all backgrounds, ages, fitness levels and lifestyles can benefit from Rolfing. More specifically, people seek Rolfing for help with: -Neck & back pain -Stress reduction -Posture concerns -Alignment issues -Joint discomfort Others come to: -Integrate major life events -Be more comfortable in their own skin -Move with more ease -Improve self-confidence

Quick answer: Rolfing creates more space and ease between bodily structures whereas traditional massage tends to work directly on muscles. Rolfing works on fascia, tendons, ligaments, joints and bones whereas traditional massage tends to focus primarily on muscle bellies. Longer answer: Through soft tissue manipulation and movement education, Rolfers affect body posture and structure over the long-term. Unlike traditional massage, which often focuses on relaxation and relief of muscle discomfort, Rolfing is aimed at improving body alignment and functioning. Rolfing is different from deep-tissue massage in that practitioners are trained to create overall ease and balance throughout the entire structure, rather than focusing on areas that present with tension. As a structure becomes more organized, chronic strain patterns are alleviated, and stress and pain decrease.

Rolfing: You have the choice of remaining clothed during your session. Wear something you're comfortable walking around in, something that is thin and not restrictive. I will do a structural assessment before and after the session and sometimes in the middle of a session. You can choose to dress minimally such as underwear and bra or shorts and t-shirt or you can choose to wear more, such as leggings and a shirt. Massage: You will be partially or fully undressed according to your comfort level and the focus of the work (body area we'll be working on). Many clients prefer to wear underwear during sessions. Cupping: You will be partially or fully undressed according to your comfort level and the focus of the work (body area we'll be working on). The most common cupping placement areas are back (upper to lower), upper chest (pectoralis) and arms, shoulders and neck.

There are many benefits of cupping primarily attributed to the increase of circulation of blood and lymph. Improving circulation helps to release stagnant blood and metabolic waste from deep in the tissue which acts to loosen and relax the tissue. The mechanical action of cupping hydrates and separates the various layers of tissue, skin, fascia, muscle, tendon etc. Cupping also helps to break down adhesions (knots) and scar tissue. Additionally the movement of blood, interstitial fluid and lymph can help improve immunity and reduce inflammation. Benefits Improves circulation and blood flow Release scar tissue, knots and fascial adhesions Hydrates and separates tissue layers (fascia, muscle, skin, adipose etc) Promotes relaxation Increases flexibility and mobility of joints Reduces pain Reduces inflammation Boosts cellular immunity and the lymphatic system

None of my work should hurt and cupping is no exception! The sensation of cupping is hard to describe. The cup is creating a vacuum or negative pressure which is not something we often experience. However, many clients say it feels similar to hands-on massage - relaxing and soothing. Cups are usually applied lighter and for less time with a new client to allow them time to adjust to the new experience.

Cupping is great for relieving chronic muscle tension and pain and can be used to treat conditions affecting tendons, ligaments, joints and other myofascial issues. Conditions treated Lower back pain/tension Neck and shoulder pain/tension Headache and migraine/tension Knee pain/tension Wrist/forearm pain/tension Joint issues especially elbow, shoulder, spine/rib and knee Scars, scar tissue Tendinitis, bursitis Plantar fasciitis Facial paralysis Fibromyalgia

Cupping can be incorporated into a traditional hands-on massage a lot or a little. If you’re new to cupping, I recommend starting with less. A few cups applied with lighter pressure to one place for about 5-10 minutes. This type of cupping is known as static cupping and it is a more targeted approach to addressing a chronic or stubborn issue and is especially useful on knots, adhesions, scar tissue and muscle tension. Another type of cupping is known as dynamic cupping. Here the cups are moved over the skin in a gliding motion - many clients say this is very relaxing. As a client gets more accustomed to the experience of cupping, the number of cups, the amount of negative pressure and duration cupping can be increased.

My massage sessions are strongly influenced by my Rolfing training and as such tend to be slower than other massages you may have received. My guiding principle is to work in collaboration with the body as opposed to forcing the body to comply. If the work I'm doing feels calming and safe for the body/nervous system, then I can convince it to release a muscle or allow more movement of a joint on it's own as opposed to forcing it. I rely heavily on my intuition and listening to the client's body to achieve maximum results. This means that I work as fast or as slowly as your body and nervous system will allow. If the muscle or area being worked is especially tight and restricted, I will work slower or indirectly to provide your body the time it needs to adapt to the changes I am asking it to make. This also means that, at times, an issue will require more time or sessions to respond. I believe, however, that changes made this way are longer lasting, more comfortable and more effective long term. ​

Massage is great for people of all ages, from children and teens to those in their 80's and beyond! My style is often appreciated by those with a more sensitive nervous system, those who've experienced trauma, clients who are patient or compassionate with their bodies, clients who do not like the standard aggressive massage, clients who understand that true deep tissue massage takes time and is often "spot or area" work, clients who are interested in intuitive healing that may not appear obvious at first glance.