HOW WE DEVELOP AS ROLFERS
INDIVIDUAL PERSPECTIVES
Learning About Pain Management
Post-Certification Training and Integration in a Rolfing® SI Practice

By Clay Cox, Ph.D., Certified Advanced RolferTM

Introduction
Over the years, many estimates have been made as to what percentage of clients seeks out Rolfing" Structural Integration (Sl) because of issues related directly to pain, and the answers range from 80% to 95%.1 believe that there are very few, if any, Rolfers who have not intentionally worked to reduce a client's pain. My problem is that Rolfers are trained in Rolfing SL and are not specifically trained to address the pain-management cases that will show up in their practices.
Obviously, it is impossible to complete an authentic Rolfing series without proper training. It is also impossible to render effective and reproducible pain management treatment without proper training as well. If you have not been well trained in this particular domain, there is a significant possibility that you will make mistakes.

The Rolf Institute of Structural Integration (RISI) currently has over thirty teachers of Rolfing SI, yet no one teaches pain management specifically. This is something I have worked to redress, both in my own professional development, and in the work I do mentoring other Rolfers. In Section I of this article, I will discuss how I came to where I am in my career, and how I have structured my trainings to assist other Rolfers in learning pain management skills. I hope readers will see the possibility of determining their own paths through the maze of what is available in post-certification trainings. In Section 11, I discuss elements to consider in having an integrated practice in Rolfing SI and pain management, and ways to best use these together. I attempt to present the case for how it is possible to help reduce the suffering in the world - a noble cause - from a well-educated, well-trained, and experienced platform. I also attempt to show how it is possible to integrate a traditional Rolfing practice, basic or advanced, with a practice in pain management as well. Your clients then will have a choice of the two: of you addressing their pain issues directly, or of getting Rolling work. In my practice, it is often the case that after the pain issue is under control, the client may be interested in Rolfing sessions. S/he has experienced your touch, is familiar with you and your process, and is comfortable with both. You are in charge of your post-certification training and where it takes you and your client base.

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claycoxnaz@gmail.com or 520-323-0188