Diana Petrick

I have a client who was diagnosed with scoliosis when he was 18 years old. Surgery was recommended at the time, but he opted for the Milwaukee brace. This he wore for a short while as he was being introduced to Rolfing. He said he had amazing changes after the Ten Series. He subsequently received a Three Series and a Five Series within a couple of years of the initial Ten. This was all back in 1979-82 or so, so it’s been a while for this man since receiving Rolfing. He stays quite active, as he owns a goat ranch. I don’t believe that he has had any major physical trauma to his body since then.

He told me that he realizes that he will probably need to receive bodywork regularly for the rest of his life, and he will do what it takes to be comfortable. He is leaving it to me what I think he needs to have done. Does anyone have input on how to approach the sessions? I’ve vacillated between another Five Series: extremity decompression, upper, axial, lower, axial; or doing a Ten Series again; or just doing whatever it looks like he needs that day.

I’d like to follow some sort of strategy, especially being so new to Rolfing myself. This brings up another question: when do you know if the person needs another Ten Series or if they just need a tune-up? Or maybe I should ask: if you did a Ten Series on a client who had previously received the Series, what were the circumstances?

Allan Kaplan

Despite the disdain of those teaching nonformulistic advanced work, I love the “old” Z position from the traditional Five Series, and find it quite effective in dealing with scoliosis. I switch back and forth between right and left Zs, zeroing in on the curves. If, say, the lumbers side-bend right, I’ll put the person in a left Z to go against the curve and work very directly. I generally start at the bottom and work up to the top, but you’ll probably need to jump around the spine a bit. Essential is softening up the ribcage beforehand or you’ll just be bumping up against it as a big barrier. I think your idea of radial decompression is very appropriate, considering that the torso was braced and the compensations of that ended up being expressed in the extremities. I think you’re going to need to prep the thorax before doing it or you’re going to run into the same ribcage barrier as if diving in with the Z.

As I sit here thinking, a Series would need to consider these points:

“Clean up the kitchen,” as Jan [Sultan] was fond of saying. Do whatever prep you need to do before embarking on your mission. This could be a partial or entire session, considering. It could entirely change your concept of how to proceed (the beauty/bane of non-formulism). I’d think this would be a good time to really soften up the ribcage and axial complex. Depending on what you find (or if you have time), you could start into the upper girdle, but if you decide to do a full-blown radial departure, you’ll most likely wait until next time.

Depending on how far you got into the periphery last time, get into it this time. Keep adaptability in the torso in mind. You might dip into a little Z work to do this, but err on the side of conservatism.

Really do your spinal thing now. I’d whip out the Z to differentially balance the back. I like the way you can involve the client in movement and use a three-dimensional approach. While I find the C position good for the axial complex and rib differentiation, I like the versatility of the Z and the addition of its involvement of the leg patterning up through the pelvis. Use it in small bursts, as it is a demanding posture for most folks. Alternatively, “Half Z” is effective and less demanding. Integrate. Make sure you have very good adaptability in the neck.

Depending on whether you’re satisfied with what you’ve gotten, this could be the wrap-up. If you haven’t gotten enough for your satisfaction, take a couple of sessions to wrap it up.

As a caveat, it goes without saying that addressing the core is important, and core/ sleeve / axial balance is essentially the focus here. Always be touching back into the torso to balance it with the extremities, and keep it balanced within itself.

I shy from formulism because it seems so seldom that I have someone for whom a formulistic Series except in its most improvisational form will serve. There is also the boredom factor, that being that if I repeat something more than a few times I get bored stiff by it. I’m not saying that formulas or Series work are not appropriate or effective; they have a beauty and merit and effectiveness all their own. I guess I just keep in mind that when you’ve got a hammer, everything looks like a nail, and I like to keep an overflowing bucket of tools (and ideas) on hand.

What I ended up with above is only the shell for a four or five session Series for what I imagine might be appropriate for your client. You’ll have to flesh it out, so to speak, or modify it appropriately, or toss it. If I were to do it in my office, I’d be adding in a bunch of visceral stuff (that’s a whole ‘nother subject) and could conceivably reduce it down to three sessions from four, but who knows, it might take five. I wouldn’t bother with Ten sessions. Do a few and see what happens, then do a few more later. Bottom line is that you’re going to have to follow your nose and decide what’s appropriate; and that’s what makes Rolfing Rolfing, and keeps it fun and interesting.[:de]Diana Petrick

I have a client who was diagnosed with scoliosis when he was 18 years old. Surgery was recommended at the time, but he opted for the Milwaukee brace. This he wore for a short while as he was being introduced to Rolfing. He said he had amazing changes after the Ten Series. He subsequently received a Three Series and a Five Series within a couple of years of the initial Ten. This was all back in 1979-82 or so, so it’s been a while for this man since receiving Rolfing. He stays quite active, as he owns a goat ranch. I don’t believe that he has had any major physical trauma to his body since then.

He told me that he realizes that he will probably need to receive bodywork regularly for the rest of his life, and he will do what it takes to be comfortable. He is leaving it to me what I think he needs to have done. Does anyone have input on how to approach the sessions? I’ve vacillated between another Five Series: extremity decompression, upper, axial, lower, axial; or doing a Ten Series again; or just doing whatever it looks like he needs that day.

I’d like to follow some sort of strategy, especially being so new to Rolfing myself. This brings up another question: when do you know if the person needs another Ten Series or if they just need a tune-up? Or maybe I should ask: if you did a Ten Series on a client who had previously received the Series, what were the circumstances?

Allan Kaplan

Despite the disdain of those teaching nonformulistic advanced work, I love the “old” Z position from the traditional Five Series, and find it quite effective in dealing with scoliosis. I switch back and forth between right and left Zs, zeroing in on the curves. If, say, the lumbers side-bend right, I’ll put the person in a left Z to go against the curve and work very directly. I generally start at the bottom and work up to the top, but you’ll probably need to jump around the spine a bit. Essential is softening up the ribcage beforehand or you’ll just be bumping up against it as a big barrier. I think your idea of radial decompression is very appropriate, considering that the torso was braced and the compensations of that ended up being expressed in the extremities. I think you’re going to need to prep the thorax before doing it or you’re going to run into the same ribcage barrier as if diving in with the Z.

As I sit here thinking, a Series would need to consider these points:

“Clean up the kitchen,” as Jan [Sultan] was fond of saying. Do whatever prep you need to do before embarking on your mission. This could be a partial or entire session, considering. It could entirely change your concept of how to proceed (the beauty/bane of non-formulism). I’d think this would be a good time to really soften up the ribcage and axial complex. Depending on what you find (or if you have time), you could start into the upper girdle, but if you decide to do a full-blown radial departure, you’ll most likely wait until next time.

Depending on how far you got into the periphery last time, get into it this time. Keep adaptability in the torso in mind. You might dip into a little Z work to do this, but err on the side of conservatism.

Really do your spinal thing now. I’d whip out the Z to differentially balance the back. I like the way you can involve the client in movement and use a three-dimensional approach. While I find the C position good for the axial complex and rib differentiation, I like the versatility of the Z and the addition of its involvement of the leg patterning up through the pelvis. Use it in small bursts, as it is a demanding posture for most folks. Alternatively, “Half Z” is effective and less demanding. Integrate. Make sure you have very good adaptability in the neck.

Depending on whether you’re satisfied with what you’ve gotten, this could be the wrap-up. If you haven’t gotten enough for your satisfaction, take a couple of sessions to wrap it up.

As a caveat, it goes without saying that addressing the core is important, and core/ sleeve / axial balance is essentially the focus here. Always be touching back into the torso to balance it with the extremities, and keep it balanced within itself.

I shy from formulism because it seems so seldom that I have someone for whom a formulistic Series except in its most improvisational form will serve. There is also the boredom factor, that being that if I repeat something more than a few times I get bored stiff by it. I’m not saying that formulas or Series work are not appropriate or effective; they have a beauty and merit and effectiveness all their own. I guess I just keep in mind that when you’ve got a hammer, everything looks like a nail, and I like to keep an overflowing bucket of tools (and ideas) on hand.

What I ended up with above is only the shell for a four or five session Series for what I imagine might be appropriate for your client. You’ll have to flesh it out, so to speak, or modify it appropriately, or toss it. If I were to do it in my office, I’d be adding in a bunch of visceral stuff (that’s a whole ‘nother subject) and could conceivably reduce it down to three sessions from four, but who knows, it might take five. I wouldn’t bother with Ten sessions. Do a few and see what happens, then do a few more later. Bottom line is that you’re going to have to follow your nose and decide what’s appropriate; and that’s what makes Rolfing Rolfing, and keeps it fun and interesting.[:fr]Diana Petrick

I have a client who was diagnosed with scoliosis when he was 18 years old. Surgery was recommended at the time, but he opted for the Milwaukee brace. This he wore for a short while as he was being introduced to Rolfing. He said he had amazing changes after the Ten Series. He subsequently received a Three Series and a Five Series within a couple of years of the initial Ten. This was all back in 1979-82 or so, so it’s been a while for this man since receiving Rolfing. He stays quite active, as he owns a goat ranch. I don’t believe that he has had any major physical trauma to his body since then.

He told me that he realizes that he will probably need to receive bodywork regularly for the rest of his life, and he will do what it takes to be comfortable. He is leaving it to me what I think he needs to have done. Does anyone have input on how to approach the sessions? I’ve vacillated between another Five Series: extremity decompression, upper, axial, lower, axial; or doing a Ten Series again; or just doing whatever it looks like he needs that day.

I’d like to follow some sort of strategy, especially being so new to Rolfing myself. This brings up another question: when do you know if the person needs another Ten Series or if they just need a tune-up? Or maybe I should ask: if you did a Ten Series on a client who had previously received the Series, what were the circumstances?

Allan Kaplan

Despite the disdain of those teaching nonformulistic advanced work, I love the “old” Z position from the traditional Five Series, and find it quite effective in dealing with scoliosis. I switch back and forth between right and left Zs, zeroing in on the curves. If, say, the lumbers side-bend right, I’ll put the person in a left Z to go against the curve and work very directly. I generally start at the bottom and work up to the top, but you’ll probably need to jump around the spine a bit. Essential is softening up the ribcage beforehand or you’ll just be bumping up against it as a big barrier. I think your idea of radial decompression is very appropriate, considering that the torso was braced and the compensations of that ended up being expressed in the extremities. I think you’re going to need to prep the thorax before doing it or you’re going to run into the same ribcage barrier as if diving in with the Z.

As I sit here thinking, a Series would need to consider these points:

“Clean up the kitchen,” as Jan [Sultan] was fond of saying. Do whatever prep you need to do before embarking on your mission. This could be a partial or entire session, considering. It could entirely change your concept of how to proceed (the beauty/bane of non-formulism). I’d think this would be a good time to really soften up the ribcage and axial complex. Depending on what you find (or if you have time), you could start into the upper girdle, but if you decide to do a full-blown radial departure, you’ll most likely wait until next time.

Depending on how far you got into the periphery last time, get into it this time. Keep adaptability in the torso in mind. You might dip into a little Z work to do this, but err on the side of conservatism.

Really do your spinal thing now. I’d whip out the Z to differentially balance the back. I like the way you can involve the client in movement and use a three-dimensional approach. While I find the C position good for the axial complex and rib differentiation, I like the versatility of the Z and the addition of its involvement of the leg patterning up through the pelvis. Use it in small bursts, as it is a demanding posture for most folks. Alternatively, “Half Z” is effective and less demanding. Integrate. Make sure you have very good adaptability in the neck.

Depending on whether you’re satisfied with what you’ve gotten, this could be the wrap-up. If you haven’t gotten enough for your satisfaction, take a couple of sessions to wrap it up.

As a caveat, it goes without saying that addressing the core is important, and core/ sleeve / axial balance is essentially the focus here. Always be touching back into the torso to balance it with the extremities, and keep it balanced within itself.

I shy from formulism because it seems so seldom that I have someone for whom a formulistic Series except in its most improvisational form will serve. There is also the boredom factor, that being that if I repeat something more than a few times I get bored stiff by it. I’m not saying that formulas or Series work are not appropriate or effective; they have a beauty and merit and effectiveness all their own. I guess I just keep in mind that when you’ve got a hammer, everything looks like a nail, and I like to keep an overflowing bucket of tools (and ideas) on hand.

What I ended up with above is only the shell for a four or five session Series for what I imagine might be appropriate for your client. You’ll have to flesh it out, so to speak, or modify it appropriately, or toss it. If I were to do it in my office, I’d be adding in a bunch of visceral stuff (that’s a whole ‘nother subject) and could conceivably reduce it down to three sessions from four, but who knows, it might take five. I wouldn’t bother with Ten sessions. Do a few and see what happens, then do a few more later. Bottom line is that you’re going to have to follow your nose and decide what’s appropriate; and that’s what makes Rolfing Rolfing, and keeps it fun and interesting.[:es]Diana Petrick

I have a client who was diagnosed with scoliosis when he was 18 years old. Surgery was recommended at the time, but he opted for the Milwaukee brace. This he wore for a short while as he was being introduced to Rolfing. He said he had amazing changes after the Ten Series. He subsequently received a Three Series and a Five Series within a couple of years of the initial Ten. This was all back in 1979-82 or so, so it’s been a while for this man since receiving Rolfing. He stays quite active, as he owns a goat ranch. I don’t believe that he has had any major physical trauma to his body since then.

He told me that he realizes that he will probably need to receive bodywork regularly for the rest of his life, and he will do what it takes to be comfortable. He is leaving it to me what I think he needs to have done. Does anyone have input on how to approach the sessions? I’ve vacillated between another Five Series: extremity decompression, upper, axial, lower, axial; or doing a Ten Series again; or just doing whatever it looks like he needs that day.

I’d like to follow some sort of strategy, especially being so new to Rolfing myself. This brings up another question: when do you know if the person needs another Ten Series or if they just need a tune-up? Or maybe I should ask: if you did a Ten Series on a client who had previously received the Series, what were the circumstances?

Allan Kaplan

Despite the disdain of those teaching nonformulistic advanced work, I love the “old” Z position from the traditional Five Series, and find it quite effective in dealing with scoliosis. I switch back and forth between right and left Zs, zeroing in on the curves. If, say, the lumbers side-bend right, I’ll put the person in a left Z to go against the curve and work very directly. I generally start at the bottom and work up to the top, but you’ll probably need to jump around the spine a bit. Essential is softening up the ribcage beforehand or you’ll just be bumping up against it as a big barrier. I think your idea of radial decompression is very appropriate, considering that the torso was braced and the compensations of that ended up being expressed in the extremities. I think you’re going to need to prep the thorax before doing it or you’re going to run into the same ribcage barrier as if diving in with the Z.

As I sit here thinking, a Series would need to consider these points:

“Clean up the kitchen,” as Jan [Sultan] was fond of saying. Do whatever prep you need to do before embarking on your mission. This could be a partial or entire session, considering. It could entirely change your concept of how to proceed (the beauty/bane of non-formulism). I’d think this would be a good time to really soften up the ribcage and axial complex. Depending on what you find (or if you have time), you could start into the upper girdle, but if you decide to do a full-blown radial departure, you’ll most likely wait until next time.

Depending on how far you got into the periphery last time, get into it this time. Keep adaptability in the torso in mind. You might dip into a little Z work to do this, but err on the side of conservatism.

Really do your spinal thing now. I’d whip out the Z to differentially balance the back. I like the way you can involve the client in movement and use a three-dimensional approach. While I find the C position good for the axial complex and rib differentiation, I like the versatility of the Z and the addition of its involvement of the leg patterning up through the pelvis. Use it in small bursts, as it is a demanding posture for most folks. Alternatively, “Half Z” is effective and less demanding. Integrate. Make sure you have very good adaptability in the neck.

Depending on whether you’re satisfied with what you’ve gotten, this could be the wrap-up. If you haven’t gotten enough for your satisfaction, take a couple of sessions to wrap it up.

As a caveat, it goes without saying that addressing the core is important, and core/ sleeve / axial balance is essentially the focus here. Always be touching back into the torso to balance it with the extremities, and keep it balanced within itself.

I shy from formulism because it seems so seldom that I have someone for whom a formulistic Series except in its most improvisational form will serve. There is also the boredom factor, that being that if I repeat something more than a few times I get bored stiff by it. I’m not saying that formulas or Series work are not appropriate or effective; they have a beauty and merit and effectiveness all their own. I guess I just keep in mind that when you’ve got a hammer, everything looks like a nail, and I like to keep an overflowing bucket of tools (and ideas) on hand.

What I ended up with above is only the shell for a four or five session Series for what I imagine might be appropriate for your client. You’ll have to flesh it out, so to speak, or modify it appropriately, or toss it. If I were to do it in my office, I’d be adding in a bunch of visceral stuff (that’s a whole ‘nother subject) and could conceivably reduce it down to three sessions from four, but who knows, it might take five. I wouldn’t bother with Ten sessions. Do a few and see what happens, then do a few more later. Bottom line is that you’re going to have to follow your nose and decide what’s appropriate; and that’s what makes Rolfing Rolfing, and keeps it fun and interesting.[:ja]Diana Petrick

I have a client who was diagnosed with scoliosis when he was 18 years old. Surgery was recommended at the time, but he opted for the Milwaukee brace. This he wore for a short while as he was being introduced to Rolfing. He said he had amazing changes after the Ten Series. He subsequently received a Three Series and a Five Series within a couple of years of the initial Ten. This was all back in 1979-82 or so, so it’s been a while for this man since receiving Rolfing. He stays quite active, as he owns a goat ranch. I don’t believe that he has had any major physical trauma to his body since then.

He told me that he realizes that he will probably need to receive bodywork regularly for the rest of his life, and he will do what it takes to be comfortable. He is leaving it to me what I think he needs to have done. Does anyone have input on how to approach the sessions? I’ve vacillated between another Five Series: extremity decompression, upper, axial, lower, axial; or doing a Ten Series again; or just doing whatever it looks like he needs that day.

I’d like to follow some sort of strategy, especially being so new to Rolfing myself. This brings up another question: when do you know if the person needs another Ten Series or if they just need a tune-up? Or maybe I should ask: if you did a Ten Series on a client who had previously received the Series, what were the circumstances?

Allan Kaplan

Despite the disdain of those teaching nonformulistic advanced work, I love the “old” Z position from the traditional Five Series, and find it quite effective in dealing with scoliosis. I switch back and forth between right and left Zs, zeroing in on the curves. If, say, the lumbers side-bend right, I’ll put the person in a left Z to go against the curve and work very directly. I generally start at the bottom and work up to the top, but you’ll probably need to jump around the spine a bit. Essential is softening up the ribcage beforehand or you’ll just be bumping up against it as a big barrier. I think your idea of radial decompression is very appropriate, considering that the torso was braced and the compensations of that ended up being expressed in the extremities. I think you’re going to need to prep the thorax before doing it or you’re going to run into the same ribcage barrier as if diving in with the Z.

As I sit here thinking, a Series would need to consider these points:

“Clean up the kitchen,” as Jan [Sultan] was fond of saying. Do whatever prep you need to do before embarking on your mission. This could be a partial or entire session, considering. It could entirely change your concept of how to proceed (the beauty/bane of non-formulism). I’d think this would be a good time to really soften up the ribcage and axial complex. Depending on what you find (or if you have time), you could start into the upper girdle, but if you decide to do a full-blown radial departure, you’ll most likely wait until next time.

Depending on how far you got into the periphery last time, get into it this time. Keep adaptability in the torso in mind. You might dip into a little Z work to do this, but err on the side of conservatism.

Really do your spinal thing now. I’d whip out the Z to differentially balance the back. I like the way you can involve the client in movement and use a three-dimensional approach. While I find the C position good for the axial complex and rib differentiation, I like the versatility of the Z and the addition of its involvement of the leg patterning up through the pelvis. Use it in small bursts, as it is a demanding posture for most folks. Alternatively, “Half Z” is effective and less demanding. Integrate. Make sure you have very good adaptability in the neck.

Depending on whether you’re satisfied with what you’ve gotten, this could be the wrap-up. If you haven’t gotten enough for your satisfaction, take a couple of sessions to wrap it up.

As a caveat, it goes without saying that addressing the core is important, and core/ sleeve / axial balance is essentially the focus here. Always be touching back into the torso to balance it with the extremities, and keep it balanced within itself.

I shy from formulism because it seems so seldom that I have someone for whom a formulistic Series except in its most improvisational form will serve. There is also the boredom factor, that being that if I repeat something more than a few times I get bored stiff by it. I’m not saying that formulas or Series work are not appropriate or effective; they have a beauty and merit and effectiveness all their own. I guess I just keep in mind that when you’ve got a hammer, everything looks like a nail, and I like to keep an overflowing bucket of tools (and ideas) on hand.

What I ended up with above is only the shell for a four or five session Series for what I imagine might be appropriate for your client. You’ll have to flesh it out, so to speak, or modify it appropriately, or toss it. If I were to do it in my office, I’d be adding in a bunch of visceral stuff (that’s a whole ‘nother subject) and could conceivably reduce it down to three sessions from four, but who knows, it might take five. I wouldn’t bother with Ten sessions. Do a few and see what happens, then do a few more later. Bottom line is that you’re going to have to follow your nose and decide what’s appropriate; and that’s what makes Rolfing Rolfing, and keeps it fun and interesting.[:it]Diana Petrick

I have a client who was diagnosed with scoliosis when he was 18 years old. Surgery was recommended at the time, but he opted for the Milwaukee brace. This he wore for a short while as he was being introduced to Rolfing. He said he had amazing changes after the Ten Series. He subsequently received a Three Series and a Five Series within a couple of years of the initial Ten. This was all back in 1979-82 or so, so it’s been a while for this man since receiving Rolfing. He stays quite active, as he owns a goat ranch. I don’t believe that he has had any major physical trauma to his body since then.

He told me that he realizes that he will probably need to receive bodywork regularly for the rest of his life, and he will do what it takes to be comfortable. He is leaving it to me what I think he needs to have done. Does anyone have input on how to approach the sessions? I’ve vacillated between another Five Series: extremity decompression, upper, axial, lower, axial; or doing a Ten Series again; or just doing whatever it looks like he needs that day.

I’d like to follow some sort of strategy, especially being so new to Rolfing myself. This brings up another question: when do you know if the person needs another Ten Series or if they just need a tune-up? Or maybe I should ask: if you did a Ten Series on a client who had previously received the Series, what were the circumstances?

Allan Kaplan

Despite the disdain of those teaching nonformulistic advanced work, I love the “old” Z position from the traditional Five Series, and find it quite effective in dealing with scoliosis. I switch back and forth between right and left Zs, zeroing in on the curves. If, say, the lumbers side-bend right, I’ll put the person in a left Z to go against the curve and work very directly. I generally start at the bottom and work up to the top, but you’ll probably need to jump around the spine a bit. Essential is softening up the ribcage beforehand or you’ll just be bumping up against it as a big barrier. I think your idea of radial decompression is very appropriate, considering that the torso was braced and the compensations of that ended up being expressed in the extremities. I think you’re going to need to prep the thorax before doing it or you’re going to run into the same ribcage barrier as if diving in with the Z.

As I sit here thinking, a Series would need to consider these points:

“Clean up the kitchen,” as Jan [Sultan] was fond of saying. Do whatever prep you need to do before embarking on your mission. This could be a partial or entire session, considering. It could entirely change your concept of how to proceed (the beauty/bane of non-formulism). I’d think this would be a good time to really soften up the ribcage and axial complex. Depending on what you find (or if you have time), you could start into the upper girdle, but if you decide to do a full-blown radial departure, you’ll most likely wait until next time.

Depending on how far you got into the periphery last time, get into it this time. Keep adaptability in the torso in mind. You might dip into a little Z work to do this, but err on the side of conservatism.

Really do your spinal thing now. I’d whip out the Z to differentially balance the back. I like the way you can involve the client in movement and use a three-dimensional approach. While I find the C position good for the axial complex and rib differentiation, I like the versatility of the Z and the addition of its involvement of the leg patterning up through the pelvis. Use it in small bursts, as it is a demanding posture for most folks. Alternatively, “Half Z” is effective and less demanding. Integrate. Make sure you have very good adaptability in the neck.

Depending on whether you’re satisfied with what you’ve gotten, this could be the wrap-up. If you haven’t gotten enough for your satisfaction, take a couple of sessions to wrap it up.

As a caveat, it goes without saying that addressing the core is important, and core/ sleeve / axial balance is essentially the focus here. Always be touching back into the torso to balance it with the extremities, and keep it balanced within itself.

I shy from formulism because it seems so seldom that I have someone for whom a formulistic Series except in its most improvisational form will serve. There is also the boredom factor, that being that if I repeat something more than a few times I get bored stiff by it. I’m not saying that formulas or Series work are not appropriate or effective; they have a beauty and merit and effectiveness all their own. I guess I just keep in mind that when you’ve got a hammer, everything looks like a nail, and I like to keep an overflowing bucket of tools (and ideas) on hand.

What I ended up with above is only the shell for a four or five session Series for what I imagine might be appropriate for your client. You’ll have to flesh it out, so to speak, or modify it appropriately, or toss it. If I were to do it in my office, I’d be adding in a bunch of visceral stuff (that’s a whole ‘nother subject) and could conceivably reduce it down to three sessions from four, but who knows, it might take five. I wouldn’t bother with Ten sessions. Do a few and see what happens, then do a few more later. Bottom line is that you’re going to have to follow your nose and decide what’s appropriate; and that’s what makes Rolfing Rolfing, and keeps it fun and interesting.[:pb]Diana Petrick

I have a client who was diagnosed with scoliosis when he was 18 years old. Surgery was recommended at the time, but he opted for the Milwaukee brace. This he wore for a short while as he was being introduced to Rolfing. He said he had amazing changes after the Ten Series. He subsequently received a Three Series and a Five Series within a couple of years of the initial Ten. This was all back in 1979-82 or so, so it’s been a while for this man since receiving Rolfing. He stays quite active, as he owns a goat ranch. I don’t believe that he has had any major physical trauma to his body since then.

He told me that he realizes that he will probably need to receive bodywork regularly for the rest of his life, and he will do what it takes to be comfortable. He is leaving it to me what I think he needs to have done. Does anyone have input on how to approach the sessions? I’ve vacillated between another Five Series: extremity decompression, upper, axial, lower, axial; or doing a Ten Series again; or just doing whatever it looks like he needs that day.

I’d like to follow some sort of strategy, especially being so new to Rolfing myself. This brings up another question: when do you know if the person needs another Ten Series or if they just need a tune-up? Or maybe I should ask: if you did a Ten Series on a client who had previously received the Series, what were the circumstances?

Allan Kaplan

Despite the disdain of those teaching nonformulistic advanced work, I love the “old” Z position from the traditional Five Series, and find it quite effective in dealing with scoliosis. I switch back and forth between right and left Zs, zeroing in on the curves. If, say, the lumbers side-bend right, I’ll put the person in a left Z to go against the curve and work very directly. I generally start at the bottom and work up to the top, but you’ll probably need to jump around the spine a bit. Essential is softening up the ribcage beforehand or you’ll just be bumping up against it as a big barrier. I think your idea of radial decompression is very appropriate, considering that the torso was braced and the compensations of that ended up being expressed in the extremities. I think you’re going to need to prep the thorax before doing it or you’re going to run into the same ribcage barrier as if diving in with the Z.

As I sit here thinking, a Series would need to consider these points:

“Clean up the kitchen,” as Jan [Sultan] was fond of saying. Do whatever prep you need to do before embarking on your mission. This could be a partial or entire session, considering. It could entirely change your concept of how to proceed (the beauty/bane of non-formulism). I’d think this would be a good time to really soften up the ribcage and axial complex. Depending on what you find (or if you have time), you could start into the upper girdle, but if you decide to do a full-blown radial departure, you’ll most likely wait until next time.

Depending on how far you got into the periphery last time, get into it this time. Keep adaptability in the torso in mind. You might dip into a little Z work to do this, but err on the side of conservatism.

Really do your spinal thing now. I’d whip out the Z to differentially balance the back. I like the way you can involve the client in movement and use a three-dimensional approach. While I find the C position good for the axial complex and rib differentiation, I like the versatility of the Z and the addition of its involvement of the leg patterning up through the pelvis. Use it in small bursts, as it is a demanding posture for most folks. Alternatively, “Half Z” is effective and less demanding. Integrate. Make sure you have very good adaptability in the neck.

Depending on whether you’re satisfied with what you’ve gotten, this could be the wrap-up. If you haven’t gotten enough for your satisfaction, take a couple of sessions to wrap it up.

As a caveat, it goes without saying that addressing the core is important, and core/ sleeve / axial balance is essentially the focus here. Always be touching back into the torso to balance it with the extremities, and keep it balanced within itself.

I shy from formulism because it seems so seldom that I have someone for whom a formulistic Series except in its most improvisational form will serve. There is also the boredom factor, that being that if I repeat something more than a few times I get bored stiff by it. I’m not saying that formulas or Series work are not appropriate or effective; they have a beauty and merit and effectiveness all their own. I guess I just keep in mind that when you’ve got a hammer, everything looks like a nail, and I like to keep an overflowing bucket of tools (and ideas) on hand.

What I ended up with above is only the shell for a four or five session Series for what I imagine might be appropriate for your client. You’ll have to flesh it out, so to speak, or modify it appropriately, or toss it. If I were to do it in my office, I’d be adding in a bunch of visceral stuff (that’s a whole ‘nother subject) and could conceivably reduce it down to three sessions from four, but who knows, it might take five. I wouldn’t bother with Ten sessions. Do a few and see what happens, then do a few more later. Bottom line is that you’re going to have to follow your nose and decide what’s appropriate; and that’s what makes Rolfing Rolfing, and keeps it fun and interesting. Z Position for Scoliosis