This article first appeared in Personal Wealth, The Edge Malaysia Weekly, on March 28 - April 3, 2016.

The structure of our bodies is often the result of our habits and daily activities. And often, only when there is some discomfort do we notice that our body movements have become restricted. For those looking to regain full physical capacity, Rolfing structural integration may be a solution.

Rolfing, developed by biochemist Dr Ida Rolf in the 1930s, is a form of bodywork that reorganises the connective tissues, or fascia tissues, that permeate the entire body. According to the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration, the treatment works on the web-like complex of connective tissues that surround, support and penetrate the muscles, bones, nerves and organs to release, realign and balance the whole body.

Research conducted by the institute shows that Rolfing creates a more efficient use of your muscles, allowing the body to conserve energy and create more refined patterns of movement. Rolfing significantly reduces chronic stress and changes to the body structure by alleviating pain and discomfort.

Dhayang Toon, Malaysia’s first male certified Rolfer, suffered a terrible shoulder injury after a bad fall during horse riding and it was compounded by using the wrong techniques while working out at the gym. During a rock climbing session, he saw the Rolfing logo — which depicts the difference between a body that is aligned and one that is not — and decided to give it a try. So, he signed up for 10 sessions with a Rolfer and found that much of his pain was alleviated by the treatment.

Impressed by the results and after much research, he decided to become a certified Rolfer. In 2011, he trained with the European Rolfing Association for nine months in Munich, Germany. He returned to Malaysia and started practising after receiving his certification that year.

“The course was very intensive. The focus was less on theory and more on practical learning. We worked on our course mates and, sometimes, even clients,” Dhayang recalls. 

“There are only 11 Rolfers in Malaysia, including myself. They are all ladies, I am the only man in the practice for now,” he laughs, adding that he hopes more  people will join the Rolfing movement so that the circle can expand and they can organise workshops together.

Being the only male Rolfer, however, does not stop him from offering his services to both men and women. As clients wear only their undergarments during treatments — so that the Rolfer can better evaluate their body structure — female clients have the option of wearing a swimsuit to the sessions. 

“Evaluating the body structure is a very important part of Rolfing. When clients come to us, we conduct a brief interview to understand their problems. By evaluating their body movements and posture, we will have a better understanding of them and know how to work with them,” says Dhayang.

“The first session involves working on the client’s breathing as it helps free up any restrictions in his breathing patterns. When a person breathes, it is as if he is inhaling the new and good and exhaling the old and bad. We do not tell you how to breathe — the freedom we create in your body will tell you the difference, if you pay attention to it.”

Creating more freedom in the body and, thus, allowing lighter and more fluid body movements is what Dhayang hopes to see in his clients. “Most of my clients come to me because they have pain in some part of their body. Pain is your body’s way of telling you that it is not well integrated, but most people ignore the signals,” he says.

“Emotions are expressed through muscles and these are reflected in your body. When you have a shift in emotion, your body posture changes. You may not notice it and may not relate it to a postural problem. But over the years, this change in posture will have a compound effect on your body. There may be no pain, but something is not right with the body structure.”

As a certified Rolfer, Dhayang addresses the problems with his hands, applying gentle yet firm pressure on different parts of the body to reorganise the connective tissues and create more freedom for the body. 

A question that often comes up is: How is Rolfing different from massage and chiropractic treatments?

“Rolfing is often mistaken as a type of deep massage. But it is actually very different if you look at the goal,” says Dhayang. “A massage aims to relieve tension, improve circulation and enhance relaxation while Rolfing aims to change the body structure so that it works more efficiently. Massage therapists help clients feel relaxed while laying on their tables, but Rolfers help clients feel relaxed with improved body posture and movements when they are functioning in life.

“The difference between chiropractic and Rolfing is a tricky one as both seek to optimise the use of the body structure. Chiropractors focus on manipulating the bones directly while Rolfers focus on the soft tissues. We also aim to re-establish a balance relationship between body parts to create better physical movements.”

Will the Rolfing results last? Dhayang says yes, but adds, “Rolfers believe that working on the body structure is an ongoing process. Each session brings more order and support to the body. This will remind the body to consciously change to more natural patterns and movements as well as to maintain it at efficient levels.”

Rolfing has a standard programme known as the Ten-Series, designed by the founder, who recommends that clients sign up for 10 sessions so that the Rolfer can plan in advance, based on their body structure and conditions. Sessions 1 to 3 are the “sleeve” sessions, which aim to loosen and balance surface layers of connective tissues. Sessions 4 to 7 are “core” sessions, which examine the terrain found between the bottom of the pelvis and the top of the head. Sessions 8 to 10 are “integration” sessions, where Rolfers ensure that the improvements in movement and body structure last.

Although the Ten-Series is recommended, Dhayang says some clients want to try a single session before deciding whether to take up the full programme. “Some of my clients who completed the Ten-Series, where each session was held a week apart, decided to continue the sessions with less frequency, like once a month or once a quarter, just to continually challenge their body structure and keep up the encouraging results,” he adds.

Dhayang charges RM275 per session and RM2,500 for the Ten-Series for adults. For children aged 12 and below, he charges RM180 per session and RM1,500 for the Ten-Series. Each session takes an hour.

“Both adults and children can benefit from Rolfing. But clients with a medical history of undergoing surgical procedures, such as for cancer or chronic diseases, we recommend that they get their doctor’s advice before starting Rolfing sessions to avoid any contraindications. It is entirely up to the client to decide whether he wants to get Rolfed.”

Rolfing can only be done by certified Rolfers. Potential clients can visit www.rolf.org to check whether a person offering such services has been certified, says Dhayang.

Since starting his practice in 2011, Dhayang’s biggest challenge has been trying to get people to understand what Rolfing really is. Some people compare it with massage and chiropractic, and choose which session to go for based on its face value.

“I think people should explore each option fully to make an informed decision. Rolfing structural integration still has a long way to go in Malaysia. We need to get the word out so people know what it is really about — to unleash the full potential of the human body,” he says.

Save by subscribing to us for your print and/or digital copy.

P/S: The Edge is also available on Apple's AppStore and Androids' Google Play.