As a structural integrator, it’s embarrassing to admit that I’m afraid of my elbows. I’ve always thought I was doing my clients a favor by using my fingers, knuckles or back of hand, since I felt more control and feedback from these tools. Turns out I was wrong.
The turn-around started when I received a great Rolfing session from Karin Edwards before a workshop I gave in Portland. Karin used her elbow to release the front of my neck. Of course, I use my elbow -— or to be more precise, the flat of my upper forearm -— on tougher tissues like the IT band, fascia lata, lumbodorsal fascia, or plantar fascia, but how would the delicate tissues of my neck stand up to the point of her elbow? Quite well actually. It was great release.
Back in my office, I decided to experiment. Each client for the next week received two neck releases, the first with the backs of my fingers and the second with my elbow. I asked for their feedback, and all but one felt that the second release was more profound and less pointy. You can’t deny the experience of 15 clients. I needed to employ my broad elbows more and my pointy fingers less.
The flat of my elbow has since given respite to my fingers many times. The point of my elbow is cleaning more bony prominences. I am able to engage larger layers of fascia with the flat of my forearm. My confidence grew, but yesterday I faced the biggest test.
A client remarked that my psoas work was too pointy. Too pointy? Obviously, my elbow was the answer. Could I get over my fear that the elbow was too powerful, too prone to cause damage? Fortunately I did. His psoas released nicely with more comfort and my elbow gained another experience of learning to feel and adjust.
As I’m employing this new tool, I’m trying to use both my left and right elbows equally. Ironically, my left hand receives better feedback, but my right elbow seems more in tune with the work. So I switch between hands and elbows when needed and am enjoying the process of improving my skills and client outcomes.
On what anatomical region does your elbow do the best work?
The turn-around started when I received a great Rolfing session from Karin Edwards before a workshop I gave in Portland. Karin used her elbow to release the front of my neck. Of course, I use my elbow -— or to be more precise, the flat of my upper forearm -— on tougher tissues like the IT band, fascia lata, lumbodorsal fascia, or plantar fascia, but how would the delicate tissues of my neck stand up to the point of her elbow? Quite well actually. It was great release.Back in my office, I decided to experiment. Each client for the next week received two neck releases, the first with the backs of my fingers and the second with my elbow. I asked for their feedback, and all but one felt that the second release was more profound and less pointy. You can’t deny the experience of 15 clients. I needed to employ my broad elbows more and my pointy fingers less.
The flat of my elbow has since given respite to my fingers many times. The point of my elbow is cleaning more bony prominences. I am able to engage larger layers of fascia with the flat of my forearm. My confidence grew, but yesterday I faced the biggest test.
A client remarked that my psoas work was too pointy. Too pointy? Obviously, my elbow was the answer. Could I get over my fear that the elbow was too powerful, too prone to cause damage? Fortunately I did. His psoas released nicely with more comfort and my elbow gained another experience of learning to feel and adjust.
As I’m employing this new tool, I’m trying to use both my left and right elbows equally. Ironically, my left hand receives better feedback, but my right elbow seems more in tune with the work. So I switch between hands and elbows when needed and am enjoying the process of improving my skills and client outcomes.
On what anatomical region does your elbow do the best work?
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