Rolfed etc.

January 15, 2011 Rolfed etc.

It’s been a long hectic week for me so I have some catching up to do on cataloging my every feeling. I had my second Rolfing session last weekend. It focused on the “root of the tree,” otherwise known as the legs and feet. And again, it was excruciating. But unlike a deep tissue massage, I’m not sore at all the next day. In fact, I felt good walking out and it lasted for the next day or two. The overall effect is pretty impressive despite the fact that she barely touched my back. It just shows how everything really is connected. It was also a good reminder about proper walking. The idea is that all it takes is a slight shift of your weight forward and your legs will follow automatically with very little effort. But if everything isn’t in alignment the muscles in your hips, legs, and feet have to work extra hard to compensate. In my case, it is just about balance within my incorrect alignment, not that I have to have a straight spine to walk properly. And I also need to be careful that the shift in weight comes from my center and that I don’t lead with my shoulders as I tend to do.

So I started the week feeling good and as it went on I tried hard not to loose sight of that. But I was going into a particularly stressful shoot Thursday and Friday and so on Wednesday a massive headache — the kind that takes over my whole body — was in full effect. We also had out of town visitors arriving late Wednesday night so maybe between doing a quick whirlwind cleaning and the stress of not knowing how available I would be to entertain, it all added up to more than I could handle. But with Advil and heating pads I was able to get a good night’s sleep and woke up feeling good and ready for the shoot. Typically the combination of physical and mental stress from a shoot can push me over my limit and by the end of the day I am completely destroyed. But I approached it with a new awareness — stick to my diet despite all the bad options I’m presented with, drink lots of water, use the time on my feet to stretch and walk around more than I typically can in the office, sit with awareness despite un-supportive chairs, and don’t let anything get to me. The result was a first — I made it through both days (14 stressful hours and all) virtually pain free!

Sometime mid week my Schroth textbook arrived (hooray!). I’ve only started to get into it but plan to spend some time with it this weekend. And my brace isn’t ready yet which means it will be sometime next week (eek!).

Tags: Cheneau Brace, diet, pain, pain relief, rolfing, Schroth Method, scoliosis, stress

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