Another great reason to see a Rolfer™-after many surgeries, there will be residual scarring. These scars become a veritable drag in the fascial network of your whole body: appendix scars reach down and adhere to many deeper structures; scarring around knee surgeries can later exert a drag that pulls your back, causing stiffness and pain, and more.

Curiously, one of the problems with scar tissue, in relation to neighboring skin, muscle and fascia is that it is too uniform. Normal tissue has a glorious chaos to it, one that is incredibly flexible and adaptable, yet weaves here, there, and everywhere, where scarring tends to be too linear in fiber direction-nature’s way of buttressing the area. As with other things, like inflammation, that can occur when nature is allowed to just take its course, this is too much of a good thing. More fluidity is what is needed, in this case. By probing, oscillating, rocking, cross-fiber shearing and stretching, a Rolfer is also soothing, hydrating, and re-educating the scarred and stiffened area. We seek to bring it back to the normal chaos of human structure, to allow for the normal functional adaptability, all-dimensional flex/extension and support required in our bodies.

I will be putting my money on this approach myself soon. I have to get foot surgery December of this year, and am setting up appointments with Rolfers to work and re-work the mass of scar tissue this will create. While the thought of getting fairly radical foot surgery is terrifying for an old dancer ( and yes, it is because I am an old dancer that I need to get it done), the thought of having the support from these gifted bodyworkers really helps me, emotionally.