Question
Hi Sharon,

I recently came across your site and was disappointed to read this reply you gave to
someone asking about Rolfing post hip replacement surgery:

"As far as Rolfing and deep tissue, I would not suggest any of those therapies. Rolfing
actually removes fascia from the muscles and can cause damage to the bones. Any
bodywork other than effluflage or pettrisage would not be indicated in hip replacement"

I am a Certified Rolf Structural Integration Practitioner and would like to correct the
statement above.  Rolfing absolutely does not 搑emove fascia from muscles?or 揷ause
damage to the bones.? Fascia is the web of connective tissue that wraps around and
through all the muscles in the body as well as nerve fibers, bones, the cranium and viscera
(organs).  Rolf Structural Integration is a process of releasing restrictions throughout the
myofascial web.  Combined with movement and postural education, which is part of SI, it
helps balance and align the entire body.  Wonderful and common affects of this work are
relief of chronic pain and freedom of movement.

In surgery, the surgeon cuts through the fascia, which responds by building scar tissue, in
turn pulling and restricting the rest of the fascial web it is connected to.  Also, the body
creates all sorts of funny patterns to compensate for the injured joint.  Post-surgical
fascial release can be very effective to again bring balance and alignment, which takes
stress off the injured and over-compensating joints.

Effleurage and petrissage massage may actually by-pass the restricted fascia by focusing
on the belly of the muscle rather than the superficial fascial layer.  
There is a lot of misinformation about Rolf Structural Integration, and fascia is not
generally studied in the medical community.  However, this is slowly changing.  In 2007,
the First International Fascia Conference was held at Harvard University, attended by
structural integrators, doctors, acupuncturists, etc.

Here are some helpful and accurate links about fascia and SI:
http://www.fasciacongress.org/2007/
http://rolfguild.org/aboutsi.html
http://www.rolf.org/
http://www.theiasi.org/index.php

Peace,
Kathryn  

Answer
Dear Kathryn

I used to run a massage school and also a continuing education department which served massage therapists.  I am very knowledgeable of many massage techniques and have had work done on me as well.

We were certified nationally by COMTA, and as you know COMTA only certifies the top of the line schools.  When I had my hip replacements, and was looking into massage in order to deal with scar tissue, and pain relief and I had successfully used trigger point massage for pain relief,(AS RECOMMENDED BY MY SURGEON). I spoke to every one of our teachers and our chiropractor who was on staff and not one of them suggested rolfing for me.  

The only thing that was approved by them, and was also approved my my orthopedist who is nationally known, was petrissage and efflurage, triggerpoint and MLD massage.  

I am sure you are an excellent practictioner, and I am not implying othewise.  I am sure you have some knowledge of THR patients and their problems, and the last thing I am going to involve myself in is an argument with you on these issues.  

My advice to both practitioners and to patients in regard to any therapy is to get that therapy approved by their orthopedists, due to the THR patient's having protocols for movement and any violation of those protocols puts the patient at risk for dislocation.

I strongly advise anyone who has a THR or revision of a THR to get their surgeon's approval before embarking on any type of alternative therapy, including herbal, massage, or exercise.