What is RolfingŪ? Controversy and Position Dear Friends, For as long as I can remember, the question "What is RolfingŪ?" has been a heated topic of discussion among Rolfers. Here are the essentials of that discussion and my position on it: What is RolfingŪ? Controversy and Position During the 1940s biochemist and philosopher Ida Rolf PhD created a therapeutic system she called structural integration. The name that has stuck for her work is Rolfing. A central goal of Rolfing is to align the body so it can start to make use of gravity as an energy source rather than fighting it. After Rolfing, people not only feel lighter, they feel lifted up. Another goal on the way to this gravitational advantage is to reduce internal stress in the body so it moves with ease and fluidity. Yet another stepping stone to the gravitational relationship is to produce the classic hallmarks of good posture as the easiest place for the body to be. All Rolfers agree on this set of goals for Rolfing. However, there are frequent and heated discussions among Rolfers about the best and most appropriate methods with which to achieve these goals. Here are the essentials of the controversy. Dr. Rolf developed a range of hands on manipulative strategies to produce the changes of Rolfing. She also worked with her clients on how they used their bodies in daily activity. Dr. Rolf continued to evolve her treatment methods and strategies until her death in 1979. Most of her manual therapy was directed toward the fascia associated with muscle. She also worked with other forms of connective tissue. To structure the teaching of her work Dr. Rolf developed a series of treatment sessions to create comprehensive change in each client's body. Originally, there were seven sessions in the series. This gradually grew to ten, a number that has been standard since the early 1960s. This series of sessions has been described in various ways over the years, but is probably best described as a series of goals. For example, the goals of the first session in a Rolfing series include improving ease of breathing, and starting to move the pelvis toward greater flexibility, and a more level position. Goals of a second session include getting the feet more fully and flexibly on the ground, further balance and freedom for the pelvis, and greater spinal length and mobility. One group of Rolfers feel that for bodywork to be called Rolfing it must not only produce the classic goals of Rolfing, but must produce those goals by working with the hands, on the connective tissue associated with muscles, in a classically ordered series of ten sessions. Another group of Rolfers feel that only the goals are essential to define Rolfing, and any methods may be used to achieve those goals. My beliefs are aligned with this second group. I did Rolfing in the classical way for more than 20 years, then as I developed skill in osteopathic methods including visceral manipulation and cranial manipulation I began to use those skills to produce the changes of Rolfing. I made this shift in how I work because I could make the changes associated with Rolfing in a more efficient and thorough way. These superior results are produced with comfort the client, and less effort for me. Clients and potential clients are encouraged to discuss this and any other issue related to Rolfing. ŪThe words Rolfing and Rolfer are service marks of the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration.

Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome While many factors contribute to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and related upper limb repetitive strain injuries, the single greatest contributor is computer use. We did not even have a name for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome before the development of computer keyboards and mice. Amount of time spent using a computer is highly correlated with incidence of repetitive strain injuries. An elegant, inexpensive computer program known as PRSI goes a long way to improve this situation. At preset time intervals this program invites you to take a short break and during the break it leads you through specific stretches designed to counter the effects of computer use. I highly recommend this program for anyone who uses a computer more than an hour a day. A link to the PRSI website can be found on the home page of my website, www.jeffreyburch.com

Credit Cards Over the years more and more clients have expressed a preference for paying with credit and debit cards rather than checks or cash. For your convenience I have added more types of credit cards I accept. Payment can now be made with Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and Diners Club.

Fee Increase Due to rising costs my fee will increase from $110 to $120 on August first. The billed rate, used primarily for insurance billing will increase proportionately. Adjusting for inflation my services still cost less than they did when I first began practicing in 1977.

Insurance Billing There are several types of insurance which may pay for my services. ~For anyone who has been injured in an automobile accident, automobile liability policies will usually pay for my services within the first year after the injury. ~Medical insurance policy rules vary greatly from company to company, and even between policies within the same company. Telephone your insurance company to learn the details of your coverage. ~Some employers offer Manley or "Cafeteria" plans. These plans allow the employee to put pre-tax dollars into a health care spending account. The employee may then draw on this account to pay for many kinds of health care. These plans will usually reimburse for my services. Most insurances companies are more interested in the practitioner's license than in the particular modality practiced. To find out if your insurance will cover my work telephone your company and ask specifically, "Under what circumstances will you pay for the services of a licensed massage therapist?". Insurance companies usually require a physician's referral.

Summer Schedule I continue to work in both Portland and Eugene. During this school year I have seen clients primarily in the afternoon in Eugene. During the summer I will see clients primarily in the morning in Eugene, and I will continue to be available at least one afternoon each week. In Portland my pattern has been to see clients every other week from noon Thursday through Sunday afternoon. Starting this Summer I will be available in Portland from 9 AM Thursday through Saturday afternoon.

Instruction I will continue to offer study groups and classes in both Eugene and Portland. In addition to CranioSacral Therapy and Visceral manipulation I am developing several new classes, watch my website calendar for course offerings. Here are some of the new classes I am working on: Use of Orthopedic tests in manual therapy This course will cover many specific tests in depth. Topics will include the use of orthopedic tests to guide treatment, and demonstrate the effectiveness of treatment. A method to distinguish some false positive tests will be shown. Test results indicating appropriateness of medical and / or surgical referrals will be taught. Organic conditions masquerading as musculoskeletal conditions Many organ dysfunctions present pain and disability patterns, which are frequently mistaken for musculoskeletal conditions. For example liver dysfunctions frequently appear as right shoulder and right side neck pain and stiffness. Pancreatic conditions often appear as mid back pain. Timely assessment, referral, and medical treatment of these medical conditions is essential. This course better equips practitioners to make prompt differential assessment and referral for medical diagnosis and treatment. Varieties of Functional Methods The many variations of low force Functional Methods are among the most powerful manual therapy techniques available. This class will explore the extensive range of functional techniques; regional tissue release, direction of ease, direction of effort, short lever, long lever, centralizing, recoil and late Sutherland. Examples of how to use each technique on a range of tissue types will be presented. Hand anatomy and mechanics The elegant human hand is unlike that of any other creature, and is an important feature of our humanness. Hand pain and dysfunction can severely reduce quality of life. This course will teach important aspects of hand anatomy, mechanics, pathology and therapy. Foot anatomy and mechanics The foot is extremely important as a foundation for the rest of the body. Anatomy, biomechanics, pathology and treatment strategies will be explored in this class.

Study Groups After a hiatus in 2005 CranioSacral Therapy and Visceral manipulation study groups now meet regularly in both Portland & Eugene. Study group dates and times are always available in the calendar on my website www.jeffreyburch.com

Study Aids I offer two excellent cranial study aids. A CD developed by Upledger CranioSacral Therapy Instructor Charles Swenson shows several transparent and cutaway views of the cranial base and intracranial membranes moving through the cycles of the primary respiratory mechanism. Also available is a three-volume VHS set of intermediate level Cranial Manipulation instruction by renowned French Etiopath Alain Gehin. The clear step-by-step instructions in these tapes are an excellent accompaniment to Alain Gehin's beautifully illustrated book "Manipulative Techniques for the Cranium and Face". The Videotapes include many techniques not shown in the book. Excerpts of both study aids can be viewed on my website. To purchase either study aid, please order online at www.jeffreyburch.com or contact me directly by phone at (541) 689 1515.

Bach Flower Essences Early 20th century English physician Edward Bach developed a set of 38 homeopathic remedies derived from wildflowers. These now famous remedies are particularly suited to emotional states and growth. For example: Clematis: Helps you live more actively in the present rather than in the future or in your own dream world. Scleranthus: Helps you to make decisions more easily when you cannot chose between two options. Star of Bethlehem: Softens the impact of shock, grief and fright. There is now a set of these remedies in my office, and they are available during regular treatment sessions at nominal cost.

Summer & Beyond I hope you have a delightful summer. I will be in touch again in a few months with new developments and offerings. Jeffrey Burch