Rolf Movement Integration practitioners are trained to work with a person’s gravity response as the basis to evoke movement that is more effective and authentically expressive, uses less effort, minimizes counterproductive muscular contraction, and allows for greater subtlety of motor control.
To protect the head when falling forward, one massively contracts the posterior muscles of the neck, which could lead to strain or injury in other areas.
The ever-present neural background noise most of us experience but are unaware of can contribute to a continual “threat-like” effect; massage can create a relaxing experience that dials down this noise.
Validation is the first step in the healing process. As practitioners, we need to affirm that what people experience is real, even if we don't understand the origins of the pain.
Massage is unlikely to fix or cure mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), but with care, knowledge, and sensitivity, MTs can create an experience for clients that feels safe and supportive of their wellness goals.
While the term placebo effect can carry negative connotations, it can also be a positive in working with clients when we use placebo pathways to help clients feel better and help manager their pain.
“Each of us has one body that presents us with all the experiences we will ever have in this form; your body is precious and should be cared for with respect and reverence.”
