Before I begin to apply various physical modalities during your session, we must first test the limitations in your core movement patterns with the Functional Movement Screening or the Selective Functional Movement Assessment. Now we have information we can use to develop a therapeutic strategy to address your physical issues and core movement patterns.
Regarding physical modalities, I use a variety of hands-on techniques that are combined with tools such as a foam roller and elastic bands, to strengthen the results. I will apply manipulations across your muscles or hold around the joints while you actively stretch and relax–first upon the therapy table, then, with you standing to activate your postural reflexes, apply stronger physical manipulations across broad muscular areas while you are walking, bending, extending and twisting, to further reinforce the results.
During the session, we can video my exercise demonstrations to help you work on your movement patterns at home. You will also receive core stability exercises that are generated and prescribed from the Functional Movement Screen.
I have very comfortable treatment office in my residence at 1447 Woodall St. Locust Point, in Baltimore.
I started my career as a massage therapist and am proficient in medical and sports massage. My traditional massage therapy style is relaxing but passive once we begin to work. Plus, I always use the Selective Functional Movement Assessment before we begin to give patterning information that is relevant to relaxation.
My 2-second count, Rolfing Structural Massage technique, has a totally different approach where you are active on the table and then active walking around the table as I apply 2-second count myo-fascial strokes across areas of stiffness and immobility.
The combined effects rebalances, mobilizes, and strengthens your musculoskeletal structure always strives to improve your functional movement patterns.
Appointments are between 60-90 minutes. Most massage therapists and Rolfers only provide 60 minutes max. But unlike other bodyworkers, I don’t cut the session off after an hour if your body needs more work. I’m dedicated to your health outcomes—not a time clock.
A light meal before a session is fine–then take some time after to walk outside, enjoy nature and appreciate your new posture and ease of movement.
The creator of Rolfing, Ida Rolf, proposed a ten session program that many Rolfers use as a template for their work. While it’s a workable foundation, it has limitations as there is not a clinical movement assessment such as the Selective Functional Movement Assessment or Functional Movement Screen to address dysfunctional movement patterns that limit balanced movement in the body and cause regression and retightening of the body again.
That’s why I created an advanced and complementary form of Rolfing Structural Massage that is supported by the 3 point plan of movement testing, interactive massage with stretching, and prescription exercises.
What makes my results occur faster and have the ability to be sustained is using the principle of the 2 second stretch reflex where all physical modalities and combinations never exceed a 2 second count, thereby eliminating the possibility of over treating and/or over-stretching myofascial tissues, causing unnecessary soreness and not addressing functional movement patterning. .
The 3 point plan of testing, interactive physical therapies and prescription videos will accelerate the benefits of stability and mobility that you get from each session; plus, you receive corrective exercises from the SFMA or FMS and from videos that you will record at the end of the session and can be performed anywhere to reinforce core movement patterns, so you can eventually build strength safely and progressively.
I recommend you experience at least three to five 3 point plan sessions to achieve your structural and movement goals.
Sometimes sessions one and five will have information from the FMS to assess your important core stability improvements, while sessions two, three, and four will rely on the Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) to give us strategy and direction for the goals of the session.
I’m a Rolfing Structural Massage therapist who no longer relies exclusively on the ten-session format–as long as you follow the corrective exercises and retrain your movement patterns–you can save time and money and achieve sustainable results upon which you can build strength with three to five sessions.
Clients return to receive massage to relax but understand that before clients leave, I always add a little myofascial structural work to make sure they are standing straight when they walk back onto the street.
Call me at 917-693-3712 to hear how we can design you a functional movement plan.
Many of my clients get Rolfing on a weekly or bimonthly basis until session five, then return once a month for a postural massage to relax, refresh and readjust, if necessary, especially if they’re experiencing high degrees of stress or pain, suffer from injuries or debilitating conditions, or are engaged in activities such as competitive sports, dance, martial arts, bicycling, running, and other demanding physical activities.
In Baltimore, I conduct sessions in a comfortable, top-floor room in the quiet Locust Point townhome I share with my lovely, talented, wife, and two amazing daughters. The room is private, climate-controlled, and has scenic views of Baltimore’s inner harbor and cityscape.
In my New York City office, I have a private therapy room at the elite Physiofitness physical therapy clinic. It’s located conveniently in the heart of Soho… easily accessible to subway lines 6, B,D,V, F and R.
In both locations where I work, your utmost comfort, security, and privacy are absolutely guaranteed.
The first session includes the consultation, the 3-point plan of testing, interactive physical therapy, and prescription exercises, and is quite competitively priced at $200 for 90 minutes.
Most clients can limit their need for additional sessions–possibly one or two, if necessary–if they follow their prescription exercises frequently and every day.
Additional sessions are priced at $180, include the 3-point plan, and run 75 minutes.
In a typical SAM’s (Strength and Mobility = Strength) 2-second count Rolfing or massage session, before any physical therapies are applied, I perform the evaluative testing procedures of either the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) or the Selective Functional Movement Assessment upon clients to give us clinical information, direction, and a working and economical strategy for the session. The session then begins like a typical massage therapy appointment upon a therapy table. Then, during the session, I intermittently ask clients to stand off the table and walk around, stretch, extend and twist for a 2-second count while I apply 2-second count manipulations across their neck, shoulders, hips, legs, and ankles. Using standing reflexes in this way during the session is a useful technique to help clients immediately find and sustain the effects of a taller posture with greater flexibility and mobility.
Yoga or gym clothes are fine to wear for the session
The 3 Point Plan with the 2-second count stretch reflex principle helps Rolfing Structural Massage build strength and mobility into your body.
It reduces conditions that create tension, imbalance, and pain.
It helps you stand taller, move with greater balance, feel more energetic and give you a base to from which to build strength. I
t can improve your athletic performance, help your work, play, and sleep better, and can even offer some calming benefits to one’s mental stress.
It can prevent injuries, and help to remediate them.
The 2-Second Count Rolfing Structural Massage with movement testing can assist with many physical ailments, including: arthritis, lumbar surgery discomfort, lower back pain, cervical pain, whiplash and other car accident injuries, repetitive motion injuries, knee pain, knee injuries, knee replacement complications, joint pain, hip pain, scoliosis, chronic neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, herniated discs, shin splints, muscle tension, muscle cramps, cartilage injuries, ankle sprains, compensations from broken bones, jaw and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) problems, insomnia and other sleep disorders, carpal tunnel, depression, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, sports injuries, tennis elbow, bursitis, stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff injuries, nerve problems, joint pain, Achilles tendon injuries, quadriceps injuries, foot arch pain, sciatica, calf strain,, aging, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue, groin pull, hamstring tears, ballet injuries, triathlon injuries and performance enhancement needs, slow reflexes, bone spurs, hernias, fractures, anterior and posterior cruciate ligament injuries, headaches, and other conditions.
My clients include office workers, moms, teachers, construction workers, professional athletes (including a member of the Baltimore Ravens), dancers, martial artists, tennis players, runners, bicyclists, Pilates, weightlifters, retirees, triathletes, marathon runners, attorneys, college professors, golfers, nurses, doctors, police officers, emergency workers, judges, and many others.
The 3 point plan of testing, interactive physical therapies and prescription videos will improve energy, posture, strength, and mobility, while decreasing tension, injuries, and pain.
Many of my clients have tried Swedish massage, cranial-sacral, Reiki, sports massage, chiropractic, pharmaceutical drugs, surgery, physical therapy, kinesiology, massage therapy, Chinese massage, medical massage, osteopathy, shiatsu, acupressure, acupuncture, muscle energy, myofascial release, Kinesio-taping, and other modalities.
If those modalities are offered by a competent, licensed professional, they can help in some cases.
My 3 point plan of testing, interactive physical therapies and prescription exercises always follow the 2 second count stretch reflex principle. so my approach will never over treat nor interfere with other therapies, and can actually complement your ultimate therapy goals.
I will provide a receipt that you can submit to your insurance company as I am registered to perform massage therapy in Maryland.
Call and ask your insurance company what their reimbursement policy is as they sometimes cover massage if prescribed by a physician.
Also, ask your accountant if prescribed massage can be deducted as a medical expense, if your insurance does not reimburse you. My policy is to get payment from you after every session.
The financial responsibility for the full cost of the session is the client’s responsibility.
Time is valuable, so please be on time for your session. Your appointment is your personal block of time, and if you are late, it’s time lost from your session.
If you need to cancel a session, a minimum of 48 hours notice via email is required. If you do not give 48 hours’ notice, you are liable for the full session fee. If for some reason I have to cancel an appointment, which is extremely rare, I’ll owe you a free session and will notify you of the cancellation as soon as I know I have to do it.