Blog

There is observable movement in my clients' lower legs. Working on the lower legs has an impact above the pelvis, as seen in this case. There is lateral rotation in both legs, with more rotation in the right leg. Turning both legs to a more parallel position involves slower, methodical work. The gastrocnemius muscles should be positioned on the back of the lower legs, but in the before picture, they were migrating medially, causing the leg structure to turn laterally. In the after picture, there is elevation from the hips to the shoulder girdle on the left side, resulting in more evenness in both shoulders. Additionally, there is a slight increase in height in the after picture. The integration of a client's structure is approached from below to above, ensuring proper support below before working up the body for overall integration.

Significant progress has been achieved through four sessions of work, resulting in a much more favorable structural alignment for my client enhancing her overall comfort. The improvements are particularly evident in the reduction of flexion in her thighs as well as a notable shift in her shoulder girdle and neck, which has considerably diminished her forward head posture. The concept that physical changes to our bodies can be made is a powerful and fundamental belief in the Rolfing process, and its impact cannot be overstated.

The condition is also referred to by various other common names, including bow leg, bowleg syndrome, bowed legs, and genu varum. Notably, there was a substantial improvement in my client's leg structure after a session focused on correcting the curvature of his legs. The angle of the bow was significantly reduced, resulting in a marked improvement in the movement of his pelvis, which shifted more evenly from right to left. Additionally, his upper body showed improved balance with his head aligned along the centerline of his body and his shoulders more even.

Achieving this kind of progress in a single session for a long-term, persistent condition is less common.  At Rolfing Iowa, our method is founded on the principle that enhancing an individual's structural alignment leads to improved movement patterns, which can be both perceived and integrated by the client.

This session led to significant structural improvement for the client, with more focused work than usual. Within the Rolfing framework, a holistic approach is generally preferred unless addressing specific concerns like the plantar fascia injury in his right foot, which required attention before beginning full-body series work. This condition can be difficult to resolve quickly.

The client showed a weight shift to his left leg, with movement from right to left. There is increased supportive movement in his lower left leg, starting at the foot, where his pronation has decreased. Enhancing weight transfer into the left leg should reduce pressure on the injured right foot. Furthermore, the client's improved balance extends throughout his body, resulting in a more centered head position. There are no mobility restrictions in his feet and ankle joints, which remain highly mobile due to his background as a competitive swimmer.

This initial session with my client indicates promising progress, which will be further developed in subsequent sessions. Her neck posture has improved, with her head now more aligned above her shoulders. Shoulder rounding has improved, and thigh flexion is reduced and moves toward a better lateral line. Forward head posture is commonly seen in our culture due to extended use of technology devices without breaks for stretching and body realignment. The Rolfing process aims for gradual improvements that can be sustained over time.

Significant improvement in one session. My client spends a significant portion of their day at the computer, which can pose challenges to maintaining good posture. An ergonomic desk setup can significantly aid in promoting better alignment for individuals who spend most of their day sitting. There is slightly less thigh flexion after, with her pelvis moving to a more natural anterior tilt. Her breathing capacity improves, as her shoulder girdle has less rounding, providing better front-line lift. Her neck is also more relaxed, reducing strain in the sternocleidomastoid.

This image clearly shows the before-and-aftereffects of a session, highlighting my client's improved posture as he lengthens through his hips. The increased length on both sides, from the hip crest to the armpit, transforms his back, raising the shoulder girdle and resulting in a taller, more elongated back profile. By redirecting connective tissue and creating space in compressed areas, we help clients achieve better integration through the Rolfing process. This leads to more fluid movement, better structural balance, and often, significantly less pain, enabling individuals to enjoy their activities more fully.

Last week's blog discussed shoulder girdle rounding. This week, I am working with another client on the same issue, which Rolfing can address effectively. The client has shown improvement in the before-and-after comparison from a single session. Redirecting the shoulder girdle posteriorly creates lift and allows the head to be more balanced on top of the shoulder girdle rather than in a forward position, as seen in the before picture.

Together, we are working toward achieving better structural balance, which can be maintained and felt in daily life long after leaving the studio. Paying attention to detail in one’s body and learning how to adjust it for better support are essential steps in the repatterning process. This process is integral because the body adapts to the patterns we create.

This example demonstrates a significant improvement during my client's initial session. Her shoulder girdle has retracted, resulting in better balance and an improved lateral line. Additionally, there is reduced flexion in her thighs, improved extension into the ground, and an increase in height. By repositioning her shoulder girdle, her head alignment has also improved and sits more on top of her shoulder girdle. A great way to start the classic ten series!

My client experienced a major car accident, which resulted in him being thrown from the vehicle. The accident caused major injuries to his thoracic spine, which necessitated a fusion in his thoracic spine and an insertion of a plate in his lower right leg. However, the hardware in his thoracic spine failed and was removed 18 months after the fusion and was not replaced. Despite the impact trauma, my client’s lateral line was remarkably good although he did have a pronounced lordotic curve which is not visible in this back profile and did improve in the after image.  This session showed exceptional movement in his back profile where an upward right-to-left shift allowed for equal weight distribution down the centerline of his body. The shift indicates a better alignment and balance in his structure. Going forward, the next area of focus will be supporting his structure through work in his lower legs with special attention to his left foot; by addressing these and other areas we plan to enhance his stability and balance with better movement patterns.