Greetings all, I've been tuning in to this BB since about June of last year. Because I don't write on here very much you may not know me or the physical issues that I deal with. What brought me to this site was a skin condition called rosacea. This is a self diagnosis mind you, but from what I have read I feel pretty confident about the dx. A nurse friend told me the name for the condition. When I first started reading the traditional allopathic information I got very discouraged and depressed. It is chronic... there is no cure, managed by low doses of oral antibiotics and topical creams, and I more than likely will end up looking like WC Fields. I decided not to waste my $$ by going to a traditional doc and not sign up for taking tetracycline for the rest of my life and decided to dig a bit deeper and more creatively. In my heart of heart I knew that if I could find wellness I would be able to deal with the rosacea more effectively than by taking symptom suppressing medication. Hence I found this sight. It is the best thing that has happened to me in my healing journey...so I want to say thanks to Walt, Bill, Bob, Doc Ferguson, Trish, R-H Jim, the teacher Jim, Kyra.... I'm leaving others out I know but just want to say thanks for all the guidance that you all share so graciously.
OK so what does this have to do with my 9th hour rolfing session you might ask? Well my friends I am trying to decide what step to take next in my journey. You could say that I am financially challenged so I need to be frugal with my hard earned cash...also I do not have medical insurance so that is a consideration too. I'm not totally down and out mind you, just need to exercise fiscal prudence.
What has stimulated me to write this longish message today was Walt's comment to the BB about Baker's cysts (yup I got one of them thangs too) and how some folks would rather pay someone else to do the thinking for your rather than to do the thinking for oneself (that was a paraphrase). I hope I didn't take too much liberty with the content Walt :-) I will have to admit it would be nice to have the luxury to have someone else figure out "what condition my condition is in" but I haven't been very satisfied with how I have spent my money in the early years of my struggle. So here I am...trying to eek out whatever information I can. I feel I have only scratched the surface of what is available right here at my fingertips on this website... and I rarely ever ask a question because I don't need to, I know the answsers are tucked away in the archives... I just haven't read them all yet! So I still have a lot of questions. If anyone is still reading this missive at this point. I'm making a plug here to be considerate of those who provide so much and don't get a dime for doing so.
Back to the Rolfing... I will finish my series in 2 weeks. I had an extended break of about 3 months. The interesting thing about Rolfing is that the structural changes that occur with the series continue after you have finished the series. We suspended sessions after the 7th hour and just resumed 2 weeks ago. I had this fear that I would deteriorate and that the changes would not last because of the break. Much to my surprise when I went to the 8th hour my posture was better, I am able to stand steady on my 2 feet (which doesn't sound terribly difficult) but on the other hand. You don't know how much I weaved when I would stand erect. The changes are very subtle and yet very powerful. And in essence, it is a process of coming home to my body. After years and years of chronic bracing and not living in my body I have more body awareness, am almost pain free, have dramatically improved my posture and movement. I've learned this on my own, someone didn't figure it out for me.
What started out as a little pain in my knee in 1987, dx of baker's cyst, chondramalcia, possibly rhumatoid arthritis. I went to student health, 2 ortho surgeons, then a series of chiropractors. But what has been most helpful is the things that I have been able to do for myself (and Rolfing). Some of the treatments were way more harmful to me than the injury itself. I have no idea about the structural integrity of my knees but I do know that I have more energy, virtually no pain (most days) the sciatica has resolved itself.
The down side is that even though I don't look like W.C. Fields my face on some days is much worse than when I was a teenager. It is a real drag to be midlife and having zits.
After reading this site (this is another self dx) I would assume that the rosacea is LGS and C-RS related. I faithfully do the SR and have been doing so since August. I would say that I have made progress with the LGS... but think the C-RS is an issue. The reason I believe the LGS is getting better is that I no longer have nausea and feel like my digestion is pretty good. My symptoms I would say have all been relatively mild compared to some of what I have seen others here on the BB deal with.
Ok here is the kicker. My diet leaves much to be desired, although it is not the traditional American junk food diet. I do ingest chocolate (my worst vice) refined foods like white flour at times etc. You get my drift I'm no angel here. I have been abstinent from alcohol and cappuccinos (my other vices). I gave up liquor in June and Cap (for the upteenth time again in December after a bout with asthma). The elimination of capuccino seemed to help get rid of my bout with asthma in December. The asthma was a powerful message from my body mind. Just like the rosacea is another message to do something different.
I know that I need to get chocolate and sugar and white flour out of my diet. I am now in the process of gathering information to run the elimination diet. I realize how I need to be serious about doing this and not falter from it in order to do it right. I've never gone a day without sugar in my life so this will be really different for me. I am sure that I will have lots of questions. I feel concerned about the brain fog that sometimes accompanies the elimination diet... I'm kind of spacey anyway. So please all, by kind to me if I get goofey in my asking of questions. I am saying this outloud to this group to make a committment to doing this diet thing.
Lastly. I would like to hear of other folks experiences after Rolfing. I learned of a person about 21/2 hours away that teaches the Alexander Technique. I could not manage going for lessons on a weekly basis, but could manage say once a month. Does anyone have experience with this work that could share some of their wisdom with me? I practice hatha yoga but have not worked with a teacher... so am entertaining the thought of looking for someone to work with. There are all kinds of possibilites I am curious about other folks path and what you might share in terms of bodywork.
And if you all have not fallen asleep reading this I apologize for my long windedness! I appreciate each and everyone one of you who gives so much to this board.
Namaste,
Denise Wyrick
lliving and lloving llamas in Kansas
PS: I'm kind of nervous about hitting the "Post Message" key but here goes....
Follow Ups:
Want to E-diet together?
Posted by Phyllis A. on February 19, 1999 at 17:04:27:
In Reply to: 9th hour rolfing & other ruminations (it's a long one) posted by Denise Wyrick on February 19, 1999 at 16:13:17:
You did great, and I'm glad you hit the Post Message button!
If you have been reading here the past couple of days, you probably know that Sara and I will be starting the e-diet on Thursday evening. We would love to have you join us on our new journey.
After finding this board over a year ago I started "learning" what I could do. I first quit smoking (exactly 11 months ago...and not a puff since). While accomplishing that hurdle I started working some with meditation. A few months ago I was ready to start the e-diet, but delayed due to four planned trips. I'm now ready to focus on the diet and plan to add some exercise. Once I feel I'm over the diet hurdle I plan to put my main focus on meditation. I then hope to be feeling so much better that I'll be up and about so much I'll tackle the exercise.
I've not experienced rolfing yet (none in my area), and would like to hear a summary of your sessions if you would like to share.
Follow Ups:
Re: 9th hour rolfing & other ruminations (it's a long one)(TESTIMONIAL)
Posted by Walt Stoll on February 20, 1999 at 12:19:30:
In Reply to: 9th hour rolfing & other ruminations (it's a long one) posted by Denise Wyrick on February 19, 1999 at 16:13:17:
Hi, Denise.
Thanks so much for your sharing. If everyone did this they would help a lot of people. Because it is so long, there will be people who don't read it----not realizing what they are missing.
Perhaps, if you did it more often the notes would be shorter & would help more people IN THE LONG RUN?
Even though it IS long, it is a wonderful testimonial of someone "walking the path". Everyone who gets serious about wellness goes through similar problems & tribulations. There are many paths to the top of the mountain.
Rolfing IS a powerful way to integrate mind & body into a healthier (more balanced) and functional vessel for the spirit. Alexander Technique's advantage is that you learn how to do it for yourself and so it is MUCH less expensive and more long lasting than ANYTHING someone can do TO you.
Reflexology and Feldenkrais are other techniques you might consider learning about that ALSO you learn to do for yourself. You can't do that with Rolfing.
Did you substantiate that your SR actually produces the "relaxation response"?
Without putting the "perfect diet" together with proven SR, I know of no one who will permanently resolve C-RS and without doing THAT, I have not seen people reliably resolve Rosacea. If you could just be perfect with eliminating refined CHO & caffeine for a couple of weeks, at least you would KNOW if the effort is worth your while.
Walt
Phyllis & Sara, Count me in for the journey 2/25/99
Posted by Denise Wyrick on February 20, 1999 at 21:43:20:
In Reply to: Want to E-diet together? posted by Phyllis A. on February 19, 1999 at 17:04:27:
Hi Phyllis and Sara, My spouse is going to be out of town on a business trip commencing Thursday the 25th. It is proabably just as well he miss out on the fun. I did a practice run of eating plain white fish for lunch one day last week to see what it was like. I'm not a fan of white fish, but decided I could do (especially if it means I won't look like WC Fields when I grow up)! It will be nice to know that others are close by on the path.
Namaste,
Denise
PS: Phyllis, I'll write you a summary of my rolfing experience. Thanks for the e-diet invite!
Follow Ups:
Re: 9th hour rolfing & other ruminations (it's a llong one)
Posted by Jim H on February 21, 1999 at 08:33:55:
In Reply to: 9th hour rolfing & other ruminations (it's a long one) posted by Denise Wyrick on February 19, 1999 at 16:13:17:
Denise,
Didn't know you were still llurking around. I rememeber your name from earlier posts, but not in a llong time. I hope you to get after the diet and let us know what happens.
Jim
Thanks for your note re. depth of field
Room for one more on the e-diet journey?
Posted by Johnelle on February 21, 1999 at 16:22:48:
In Reply to: Phyllis & Sara, Count me in for the journey 2/25/99 posted by Denise Wyrick on February 20, 1999 at 21:43:20:
I will be starting the elimination diet on Wednesday. I
could sure use some support as this is a dreaded next
hurdle. Can I join the ranks?
Johnel
Follow Ups:
Attn: Johnelle & Denise
Posted by Phyllis A. on February 21, 1999 at 17:01:30:
In Reply to: Room for one more on the e-diet journey? posted by Johnelle on February 21, 1999 at 16:22:48:
Great! The more the merrier.
Johnelle & Denise
Posted by Sara on February 21, 1999 at 18:49:07:
In Reply to: Room for one more on the e-diet journey? posted by Johnelle on February 21, 1999 at 16:22:48:
Sounds great to me!! My first hurdle before the elimination diet on the 25th is that I have to (once again) quit smoking. My stop date is tomorrow. I'm sure Walt will have a cow if he reads that I'm quitting smoking AND starting the elimination diet in the same week. What Walt doesn't know about me is that I'm one of those weird people that actually fares better when I take on many things at once.
If you're reading this Walt, I only write this because you have cautioned me in the past about starting too many things at once. You're a wonderful doc for being so concerned. I'm just a strange person....
So, everybody got their food shopping done yet for the e-diet? I'm actually looking forward to the 25th. Glad there will be many of us doing this together. Kind of a team effort, and we'll all have LOTS of support. But poor Bob is going to get inundated with questions. Thanks in advance Bob!
Sara
Re: Rolfing Cost
Posted by Andrea on February 22, 1999 at 11:29:58:
In Reply to: 9th hour rolfing & other ruminations (it's a long one) posted by Denise Wyrick on February 19, 1999 at 16:13:17:
I'm curious to know the going rate for rolfing.
Follow Ups:
Re: Rolfing Cost
Posted by Jen on February 22, 1999 at 11:37:53:
In Reply to: Re: Rolfing Cost posted by Andrea on February 22, 1999 at 11:29:58:
My Rolfer, in n. Indiana, charges $85/session. Sessions were all at least 90 minutes, a few went to 2 hours. I went every 3 or 4 weeks, for 10 sessions. It was well worth the money!
Follow Ups:
Re: Rolfing Cost (more observations & ruminations)
Posted by Denise Wyrick on February 22, 1999 at 13:28:04:
In Reply to: Re: Rolfing Cost posted by Jen on February 22, 1999 at 11:37:53:
Hi all,
My rolfer charges $70 per session. There are 10 sessions total. The spacing of sessions can be somewhat flexible. I had a break of about 3 months after the 7th session without losing any of the benefits. I think you can go as much as a month between sessions without harm or losing it. There are several mini sessions within the session where extended breaks are OK. My sessions started in Sept and will end in March. That might help some folks with the finances to be able to spread it out a bit.
I am very fortunate in that my rolfer has spent as much as 2 hours with me. I have never left his place with only being worked on for an hour. But I am probably really fortuntate that he has the time to do that.
I highly recommend that you find someone that you feel comfortable with as it is a very intimate experience. During my first session I was amazed at some of the things that started coming out of my mouth... I am very comfortable with Jack. Anyway my life history just started to unfold. I walked out of the first session feeling euphoric, and a lot taller (since I'm about 5'2" that is saying something)
If it is not clear by now.... I highly recommend Rolfing and it really helps that I worked with someone that I happen to like a lot too. I felt a bit weird before my first session going to someone of the opposite sex. However, he was the only one around. After talking with him on the phone I decided it was OK to give it a try. I'm just careful that I don't wear my "raggedy ole farm undies" when I go the Rolfing! It helps to have a sense of humor about it.
Hope this helps any of you that might be thinking about pursuing this form of help. It has been well worth the money spent.
Namaste,
Denise
Follow Ups:
Re: Rolfing Cost (more observations & ruminations)
Posted by Walt Stoll on February 23, 1999 at 09:50:46:
In Reply to: Re: Rolfing Cost (more observations & ruminations) posted by Denise Wyrick on February 22, 1999 at 13:28:04:
Thanks, Denise.
When Rolfing is indicated, most people will find that nearly ANY cost is well worth it!
Walt