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Is Rolfing Part of Your Routine?

By Sterling Cassel and Eric Moen, PT

Cycling is a demanding activity at any level, putting stress on the entire body, not just the legs. Whether you are a competitive cyclist who logs a few hundred miles a week training for the next big race or a daily commuter riding to maintain fitness, Rolfing can help make time in the saddle more enjoyable and reduce stress on your body by easing ones structure, making movement and breathing easier.

Photo courtesy of Sterling Cassel

What is Rolfing?

Rolfing is a form of bodywork that focuses on structural alignment and correct posture that was developed by Dr. Ida P. Rolf. Structural Integration, as it is also referred to, resembles a deep tissue massage, but focuses on bringing the body into proper alignment. Poor posture, injuries and overuse are some of the factors that can impact our skeletal and muscular structure. Cyclists tend to spend a lot of time in the saddle and hunched over in the same position. As a result, the lower back is one of the first areas to develop symptoms of pain. Out of alignment hips will also ache and hurt after hours of repetitive spinning motion. The neck vertebrae (cervicals) will tend to get locked up from the outstretched positioning of the head while the arms are reaching out in front. Naturally, the legs suffer from overworking them and if anything is out of alignment the body will have to work harder to correct this imbalance.

What does Rolfing look like?

Rolfing is similar to a massage, but with a couple of key differences — the most important being that it is interactive. The method incorporates movement to stimulate nerve impulses to the brain while breaking up adhesions. It is usually performed while wearing running shorts and a jogging bra and includes some movement analysis. It is common to work on the massage table for a while and then have the client stand or walk to observe and recognize the changes.

Designed to systematically balance the body in a progressive ten-session series, the results of each session are cumulative and each builds upon the previous. Optimum results are achieved by individually tailoring the client’s specific needs. It is not required to complete the whole program; some people start with three or four sessions to ensure it is right for them.

What are Rolfing’s benefits?

Photo courtesy of Sterling Cassel

Standing taller, sitting more upright, holding the head higher and keeping the chest more open are some of the benefits. Bicyclists will notice the ability to breathe more deeply as their rib cage is able to expand with more ease and overall athletic performance will be improved, as muscles are able to perform their jobs more efficiently. Rolfing also increases ones own body awareness, making it easier to identify which areas are not moving as well as they could, and where power is not transmitting equally during pedal strokes. The benefits and results are long lasting.

Sterling Cassel is a Certified Rolfer in Kirkland, Wash., and a lifelong cyclist and outdoor enthusiast. While receiving the ten-session series he noticed incremental improvements in his cycling as well as a decrease in his commute time to work. He has been working with cyclists of all levels since starting his practice four years ago. Contact him at 425-761-3967 or www.rolfingeastside.com.