Evolve with Rolfing

A series of pre conception Rolfing treatments may avert, or significantly lessen, many potential structural discomforts commonly experienced during pregnancy. An unaligned body predisposes a woman to many discomforts as her pregnancy progresses. These include back pain, hip joint pain, leg cramping, sciatica and a restricted capacity for breathing.

A commonly occurring forward tilt of the pelvis (frequently found in women as a residual from previous pregnancies) will be exacerbated as the uterus enlarges. Given that the vertebral column is optimally supported by a horizontal pelvis, commencing a pregnancy with a tilted pelvis is not conducive to a comfortable 40 weeks.

The balanced pelvis of a Rolfed body has consistent tone in the pelvic floor, whereas an unbalanced pelvis will distort the pelvic floor. Once a pregnancy has commenced, the increased weight of the uterus suspended on the distorted pelvic floor, combined with the softened pelvic ligaments of pregnancy, can result in pain at the sacro-iliac and pubic symphysis joints.

The Rolfing process equips the body with a solid base by aligning the toe, ankle and knee hinges. Commencing her pregnancy with a sturdy foundation will provide a woman with sound support for her rapidly changing centre of gravity and an opportunity for optimum carriage of her posture as her baby grows.

The standard series of ten Rolfing treatments is not appropriate once a pregnancy has commenced. However, Rolfing techniques and movement education can still assist a pregnant woman adapt to her changing structure and provide relief from discomforts resulting from these structural changes.

The initial three to six month post natal period is widely considered the best time of any to undergo a series of Rolfing. At this time, some of the effect on the body's connective tissue of the hormone relaxin is still lingering. This has the effect of making the fascial network more pliable than usual, thus more receptive to the Rolfing process. Seizing the opportunity to undergo a series of sessions at this time can assist a woman in surrendering her pregnant posture and gait, and restoring her balance, alignment, body orientation and comfort.

This does not mean that undergoing the ten series after the initial six month post partum period will not still be of tremendous value to a woman. Structural changes resulting from pregnancy and childbirth can establish lifelong patterns of chronic discomfort. In many instances, a woman's pelvis retains it's anterior tilt and her thigh bones may remain externally rotated. This situation results in a loss of support for the vertebral column and frequently in a downward pull on the rib cage. Hours spent breast feeding will further contribute to a rounded appearance of the shoulder girdle and imbalance between the musculature of the front and back of the chest. The psoas muscle which performs a key functional role in gait is severely compromised during pregnancy and many women need to be re-educated in their awareness and use of this extremely important structural muscle.

Associated with the structural benefits of Rolfing in the post natal period, the psychological boost to the woman in reclaiming her pre pregnancy body cannot be underestimated. Furthermore, the more energy she finds in her newly Rolfed body the more capable she will feel to undertake the challenges of motherhood.