The Rolfing Skillful Touch Handbook

With a foreword by leading fascia researcher Robert Schleip, the Rolfing® Skillful Touch Handbook lays out the basic concepts and techniques of Rolfing Skillful Touch. The Dr. Ida Rolf Institute® of Structural Integration developed this work to teach foundational manual therapy skills. This book is also a resource for any manual therapist looking to escape a rote repetitive routine, reach a new level of skill, and affect real lasting change with their clients. Skillful Touch is a manual therapy method predominantly composed of myofascial manipulation techniques. All of the information, skills, and techniques in the book are designed to teach effective therapeutic interventions fortified by informed, powerful, and pleasant touch. This handbook does not teach Rolfing® Structural Integration. Filled with descriptive photos and precise explanations, the book presents an extensive collection of techniques for structural integrators, massage therapists, and physical therapists. This text is arranged for easy use with the following color-coded sections: Skillful Touch Fundamentals Describes terms and body positions referred to throughout the book. Analysis: Body Reading Shows a variety of structural and functional assessments that will help you decide how and where to work. Three chapters devoted to 64 techniques The Upper Body section covers the thorax and shoulder girdle The Middle Body section covers the pelvis and thigh The Lower Body section covers the leg and foot Each of the techniques describes: Purpose/Intention When and why to use the technique Client position How your client is positioned Practitioner body position Where to locate yourself to work effectively Practitioner hand position How to contact the client Instructions A step-by-step outline of the technique Anatomy Structures affected by the technique Potential Client Movement and Cues Passive or active client movements to increase the impact of your contact, as well as sample language cues to elicit these movements Integration: How to End a Session Covers four important approaches for global integration. Session Outlines Presents three Rolfing Skillful Touch session outlines.