A Rolfer’s Approach To Lower Leg Issues
There are a lot of syndromes that are brought to the office that have to do with the feet and the pelvis. Many clients come to visit with painful conditions of the feet and lower legs. Our intention is to create a base of support for the pelvis from below. I have done thousands of sessions on plantar fasciitis and other problems of the lower leg and feet. When treating this, we want to get as much horizontal angles in the pelvis as we can by putting order into the ankles. Look at the transverse arch, the ankles, knees and the angle of the calcaneus to the floor. We might ask yourself this question, does the foot belong to the body? Is there separation of the seal from the forefront?
So instead of thinking of leg work as working bones in some sequence, always be thinking over the entire structure when you’re looking at your client. Looked especially closely at the inner osseous membrane. In general, we want to work up the fibula and down the tibia. And again remember this is an axion, don’t get stuck on them, there will be people who required just the opposite of any general rule. Look at about 3 to 4 inches along the front of the shin they are a vital to this session.
Now my suggestion is to start at a retinacula. If the feet are flat, start at the fibula remember to look at the interosseous membrane, and create freedom along the fibula the peroneal tendons need space. It’s important to deal with a plantar fascia which oftentimes gets bunched up all on the lateral arch. Pay special attention to the adductor hallucis, work there will help the transverse arch. Also work the patellar ligament.
When we look at the back for this session, we want to think about extension. It’s the most important factor. Think of bringing the extensors close to the spine so they will lengthen with extension instead of bunching laterally. Go to the spots that don’t seem to extend as they lean over. Their feet need to be firmly held on the floor so they have them on a bench or a stool.
When we do the neck work and the pelvic lift in this session you don’t do as much neck work as you did in the first session unless your client is having a major neck challenge that day. We do the pelvic lift, making them aware of the connection between their back on their heels.
Sometimes movement work or visualization is extremely important after a session. Then have them visualize their weight falling through the inside of their foot through the inside arch. Or one having wings on the outside toes feeling a lift through them. You know you’ll be getting the job done if the bones of the foot feel as if they’re floating softly and feel like a bag of flesh. If that doesn’t feel right, go back to behind the fibula if you feel like the angle is balanced well, but the foot is still unorganized, go to the planter fascia again to help the lateral arch.
I’ve been asked many times why do you do all this just to deal with plantar fasciitis or other complaints of the legs? It’s a simple answer really, it is called structural integration.