Your First Session
My step by step process for how we will work on healing and recovery, what a standard session looks like, and who needs my services.

Let's Have a Consultation
First, we’ll discuss your health history, goals, and expectations. I will address any questions you may have about how I work and what we will try to accomplish in our sessions together. Then I will be evaluating your body structure both standing and walking. You can wear your under garments, running shorts, and/or a sports bra during your evaluation.

Manual Therapy Techniques
Second, I’ll ask you to lie on the massage table and use manual therapy techniques to release your strain patterns. A large part of my work is also helping to bring awareness to your own specific patterns and finding comfortable alternatives for your daily life. At the end of the session, I usually give you exercises to practice at home which builds on your foundation.

Planning Your Sessions
Last, we’ll plan your sessions. Rolfing is typically (but not always) done in a series of 10 sessions, each building upon the last, lasting anywhere from 75 to 90 mins. I recommend scheduling 1 to 2 weeks apart. Every session has a corresponding theme, objective, and territory of the body that is explored. This makes each session like a lesson whereby you become more familiar with how your body works.
What’s It Like?
Rolfing® generally feels like slow, deep pressure followed by a feeling of release. Sensations may range from pleasurable relief to temporary discomfort, depending on factors such as injuries or chronic stress to the afflicted area. I will start very gentle and work with you to find the right level of pressure. People often report feeling a sense of lightness & improved well-being after a session.
What Rolfing Isn’t
A lot of people ask if Rolfing is a type of massage. It’s not. For many reasons massage is beneficial, but it is primarily for relaxation and working with muscles. Rolfing is concerned with relieving pain and raising the potential, and we work mostly with fascia, not muscle. Rolfers rarely use lotion on the skin. Additionally, modern Rolfing should not be painful. Hands-on work should be pleasant to tolerable throughout a session.
Tom Richards
Advanced Rolfer
West Sacramento, CA 95691
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Free Consultation
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