Business News: Rolfer coming to Montesano

Release the pain and get back to doing the things you love.

Release the pain and get back to doing the things you love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes, conventional treatments leave ailments, well, ailing. Creams, physical therapy and massage could come up short and leave one final drastic option — surgery. And even then, some people have ailments that cannot be addressed with surgery.

It’s persistent pain, and it’s a problem for many people.

Felisa Holmberg, a lifelong Aberdeen resident, understands persistent pain all too well. The 1977 Aberdeen High School graduate said she spent years in pain before she sought a solution.

“My pain sent me looking for help just like everybody else,” Holmberg said.

The path of her solution led her to “Rolfing,” a contentious practice that aims to manipulate the connective tissue in the body.

“I ended up on a Rolfers table and I knew right away that it was different,” she said. “I’m in way better physical health now at 58 than I was at 20 from injuries.”

While the practice looks similar to massage, from the layman’s perspective, Rolfing does not specifically work muscles like massage. Rolfing also doesn’t use oils, other than a lite layer “to make the skin more malleable,” Holmberg explained.

Holmberg found her solution in Boulder, Colo., and with her pain finally gone, she decided to study the technique and bring it back to the Harbor. Following a year of training at the Rolfing Institute, she earned her Rolfer certificate in 2005. Following more than a decade of practice in Aberdeen, Holmberg recently opened a new office in Montesano.

Since learning the technique, Holmberg has helped numerous people through Rolfing.

Brenda Sansom of Lake Quinault has been Holmberg’s client since about 2007. An ice skating accident left her with eight years of persistent pain.

“I’m not an ice skater so that’s why I had an accident,” Sansom says. “It was like a bad whiplash.”

She tried massage and a chiropractor, but they couldn’t alleviate her pain. After reading about Holmberg’s work in The Daily World, Sansom scheduled an appointment.

“After the third visit, I woke up the next morning out of pain for the first time in eight years,” Sansom said.

A hairdresser by trade, Sansom has made many referrals to Holmberg.

Holmberg says it’s become a passion to help heal the pain of others.

In recent years, Holmberg has been perfecting a technique to address Brown Syndrome in children.

“I can feel the pattern of the brain inside the head. It takes about an hour to release all the adhesions, and it will release the brain so the brain will float. When the brain floats, it’s no longer pulling on the eyes, so it lets the eyes have the freedom of movement again,” Holmberg explained.

Rolfing, however, is not without controversy. In some communities it’s considered a pseudoscience, and there is some concern that Rolfing techniques applied to tumors could exacerbate the conditions.

Even in the U.S., there is some disagreement as to how to classify Rolfing. In Montana, Holmberg was able to see clients using only her Rolfing certification and license. In Washington State, Holmberg must keep a massage license, though she is not trained in massage.

On Monday, April 2, Holmberg opened an office in Montesano at 221 W. Wynoochee Road, Suite B. She’s currently accepting new clients.

To schedule an appointment call (360) 580-1609.

For more information and client testimonials about Holmberg, visit www.therolfer.com.

“Horse Listener” How Horses Taught Me to Work

I was recently interviewed for an article in the “Rolf Journal”, a publication for Rolfers of Structural Integration. The article titled “Horse Listener, Horses Taught Me to Work”, reflects how horses have become my greatest teachers, by awakening my intuition and allowing me to become a better listener. It is a very subtle way of listening to the a body and mind on a physical and spiritual level.

This work is for the person that would like to connect at a deeper level and allow themselves to hear the unspoken language of communication, allowing the body to tell you what it needs. As a body worker, you can learn to listen with your hands and your intuition.

Horse Listener vs Horse Whisperer

Please don’t confuse “Horse Whisperer” with term “Horse Listener”. The term “Horse Whisperer” which is mostly connected to natural horsemanship training, getting the horse to partner up and respond with subtle cues. The person is in control.

Whereas the “Horse Listener”, is where the horse is allowed to become the teacher.

This work is not just for horse lovers or for health and wellness professionals, it speaks to finding the truth of your heart and soul.

Download Horse Listener Article PDF

Superior Oblique Muscle Eye Restriction

superior oblique muscle

Superior Oblique Muscle Restriction

 

Superior Oblique Muscle and Brown’s Syndrome  ~ Kaden’s Story

This is Kaden’s story about the Superior Oblique Muscle, Brown’s Syndrome Symptoms and how we balanced his eye’s.

February 22, 2015

“Our son, Kaden, was complaining of double vision and headaches for a few months before he was diagnosed with Brown’s Syndrome. The Pediatric, Strabismus, Neuro and General Ophthalmologist specialist he was seeing recommended a wait and see approach and then eye surgery if his symptoms didn’t worsen in 6 months.

We as parents could not wait and watch our otherwise healthy and happy child suffer from debilitating headaches for 6 months! Kaden’s behavior was changing, his patience was running low, he was acting out at school, and unfortunately his little sister was getting the brunt of his frustration.

We also wanted to find a more natural approach to help our son. After hours on google and forums researching Brown’s Syndrome and ways to cope we found Felisa Holmberg. Her previous success with Brown’s Syndrome gave us hope and we quickly set up an appointment to meet. Felisa was so helpful and reassuring during our communication before our first meeting letting us know what to expect and making Kaden feel at ease.

When our son met Felisa he warmed right up to her open demeanor and quickly settled in for the session. He felt relaxed and comfortable, able to remain focused and in the moment for the entire 1.5 hour session. During the appointment Kaden had many reflex like movements going on that he would not normally do. Felisa later explained that his body was adjusting to the tension being released in his brain. Kaden left the appointment in good spirits and feeling bright.

During the week to come we noticed changes in his eye movement. He could now look up with full range of motion in both eyes though it still hurt. He seemed happier and no longer complained of headaches, his relationship with his sister was on the mend and his teachers noticed that he had much more patience and focus at school. It has been a few weeks since the appointment now and I am now noticing that he has full range of motion in both eyes and is not complaining of any pain. His energy levels are amazing and he is back to all of his extra curricular activities with no problems.

We will be seeing Felisa again to continue her work with Kaden and look forward to more success.”

3/3/15 UPDATE:

“We had our checkup yesterday and the doctors were shocked at how much better his eyes are!! Kaden did amazing with every test they gave him. I hope this helps you get the word out. I told the doctors what you have done for him but she seemed uninterested and said it was probably the Advil. It’s a shame they are not more open to natural healing. Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help. I have just put the paperwork in to update our passports and then we will be coming down for another visit. Looking forward to seeing you again.” Stephanie and Matt

Read more about Felisa’s Work with the superior oblique muscle,  Brown’s Syndrome And Head Trauma

Beau Rolfing SI Testimonial

Nov/14

 

Jim and Sarah Charuk – Desert Awakenings Ranch, Phoenix AZ

 

November 2014 Felisa came to our ranch Desert Awakenings for a visit. Within 5 minutes of her arrival, our 2 year old Golden retriever/Corgi (named Beau) jumped on her lap. Beau is usually somewhat reserved and stand-offish with strangers but he immediately took to Felisa as if he knew her his whole life and that he had been waiting for her.

We know Beau had some soreness with his neck and shoulder but had not shared this with Felisa. She immediately knew Beau was asking her to help and she quickly determined his problem.

It was amazing to watch the interaction between Felisa and Beau during the next week and amazing to see the rapid healing of his neck and shoulder. He came to her at least twice a day to ask for her treatment and, if she was not ready he would bark at her or pull at her clothes, until she sat on the sofa. He would then position himself to where he wanted her to work. Incredible to watch!

Felisa truly has the heart, soul and hands of a healer. If you want proof just ask Beau!

Introduction to Essential Oils & Raw cooking food with Essential Oils.

Date:               Saturday, March 22, 2014

Time:               12:00 PM to 7:00 PM (there will be a dinner break at 4:00)

Where:            Furford Gathering Center (in the back of the building)

Address:         104 South Chehalis St, Aberdeen, WA  98520

 

We will share YoungLiving essential oils that will:

  •  Ease pain, depression, and stress!
  •  Increase your energy level and stamina!
  •  Restore a calm and balanced mood and enhance mental focus!
  •  Stop colds and flu’s before they make you sick!

Cost: $45 paid by March 12th, $65 after the 12th.     Registration Required by: March 12, 2014.

Send check to Felisa Holmberg at 104 S. Chehalis, Suite 4, Aberdeen, WA  98520         OR   




Please call:         Felisa Holmberg 360 580-1609          email: felisa@therolfer.com

Although the healing powers of essential oils have been known for centuries, their introduction into popular culture and modern medicine has had a profound effect on how we view health, vitality, and wellness.

 

Join us for an educational and fun-filled evening and experience the joy of therapeutic grade essential oils!

 

 

Story brought her clients from all over

The story of Holmberg’s unique occupation and unconventional career path was picked up by The Associated Press wire and published in several newspapers and their respective Web sites across the region.

“After the story came out I was flooded with calls,” Holmberg said. “The day the article came out I was just returning home from a visit in Colorado. I had only been off the plane minutes and my cell phone was ringing. Before the story, I was counting on family and friends to work on and people they knew. After the story, I had calls from lots of people I didn’t know but also people I knew called and came in for appointments.”

In her mid-40s and recently laid off from a longtime job, Felisa Holmberg says it’s then she found her life’s passion.

In August of 2004, she left her rural Humptulips home in full pursuit of her goal, to the high ground of Boulder, Colo. It was the only place in the United States she could train to become what she wanted to be.

“Not a lot of people know what Rolfing is,” Holmberg explained.

After intense, year-long training at the Rolf Institute, Holmberg learned every aspect of the discipline, including how to explain what Rolfing is — a system of deep-tissue manipulation aiming to balance and realign the body by releasing tension and strain.

Once graduated, Holmberg brought her skills back to the Twin Harbors to begin her own practice. She had just moved into an office behind Baskin Robbins in East Aberdeen when The Daily World featured her as a profile subject last year.

Part of Rolfing’s charm is that the work consists of a series of sessions meant to bring about permanent change to the body. While that’s good news for patients, it means Rolfers, like Holmberg, are in constant need of new clients.

“The work does end, and as much as I enjoy working with clients, the changes that happen to your body in Rolfing are permanent and long-lasting,” Holmberg says. “It’s not something you have to keep doing the rest of your life.”

Continuing education, however, is something Holmberg says she will always partake in. She has recently obtained her large animal endorsement with the State of Washington and is eligible to work on horses, a passion of hers since childhood.

Daily World / Kathy Quigg Rolfer Felisa Holmberg was flooded with calls after her story ran in The Daily World.

Her practice is now set up to take personal injury and L&I claims. And, within the next year, she’ll be working to get certified in Kettlebell training (a form of weight training), Visceral Manipulation (relationship between the body’s organs and other structures) and CranioSacral Therapy (a hands-on method of enhancing the functioning of the body’s craniosacral system).

Future goals include possibly opening a local holistic healing center and/or a one-day-a-week office at Ocean Shores.

Regardless, Holmberg says she’s appreciative of the attention both she and her business have received.

“After the story, my calendar was booked a month ahead and stayed that way until this month,” Holmberg says. “The story brought in so many amazing people, people that were so ready to heal.

“Being a part of and watching people heal is so rewarding. It’s why I do this work. The profile brought in people that needed help in this area and I found this work is my heart’s work.”

Holmberg’s office is located at 104 S. Chehalis St. in Aberdeen. For more information or an appointment, call (360) 580- 1609 or (360) 987-2274.

Copyright © 2006 The Daily World. This content may not be archived, retransmitted, saved in a database, or used for any commercial purpose without the express written permission of The Daily World.

Singing Medicine with Robin Landsong and John Utter

I am excited to announce the return of Robin and John for another amazing evening of Singing Medicine.

We hope you will join us in welcoming Robin and John and enjoy our beautifully newly remodeled space at the Old Whitman School Building, 104 South Chehalis, Suite 2B, Aberdeen, WA 98520.

Saturday, January 12, 2013 Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm

Admission $28



Now you can pay for your next appointment online with PayPal!

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Learn About Rolfing »

Singing Medicine with Robin Landsong and John Utter

I’m very excited to announce the Healing Center’s first event:

Singing Medicine with Robin Landsong & John Utter

“When Robin and John sing, the Windows of Heaven melt away and our doors disappear.”~ a couple who attended a recent Singing Medicine event

Saturday, November 24th 6:00pm-8:30pm
Old Whitman School Building, Aberdeen 104 South Chehalis, Suite 4
Admission $15-$25 at the door

Click here to download event info PDF

 

 

Brown’s Syndrome or Head Trauma?

I have studied other ways of working with the body that has influenced my root training of Rolfing Structural Integration. Rolfing Structural Integration in itself, is powerfully transformative and healing. Incorporating, Visceral Manipulation and Biodynamic CranioSacral therapy has increased the effectiveness I can have on the body in a gentle way that touches the deepest layers of the body releasing patterns of strain that just working on the outer layers doesn’t quite contact. Over the years and after my own personal experience with brain trauma, I’ve discovered that I can literally work on and deep into the brain.

Recently, I gave an appointment to a young client that had taken a bad fall on his head when he was 2 years old. By the age of 3, he started showing signs of what was later diagnosed at Brown Syndrome. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown%27s_syndrome.
After hearing the doctor say the only possible solution was surgery to stretch the ligament in the eye, the mother brought her son to me. Now 10 years old, the eye problem caused him to carry his head tipped to the right in order to see level.

When I laid my hands on his head and connected with his brain, I felt a distinct pull in his head the was pulling his brain back and around the right side to the left side of his head. It took about 1 hour and the fascial strain slowly released, releasing his brain and allowing the brain to come back into balance. His mother walked over to the table and checked the movement in his eyes and said his right eye was now able to track her finger. It had released his eye about 85% . His mother reported back a week later that he wasn’t tipping his head to the right anymore and his eyes were tracking normally still.

His next appointment, a month later, I found adhesions on the outer layers of facsial (connective tissue) on the back of the right side of his head and going down his neck. He is continuing to improve and will receive his third appointment with me next week. I’ll update on his improvements as we go.

This experience leaves me wondering if other people diagnosed with Brown’s Syndrome would respond to this work as well. This boy did have an actual fall that most likely caused his problem, but there are many types of trauma’s that can happen to us but this got me thinking about birth trauma and wondering how many people diagnosed with Brown’s Syndrome might have a birth trauma. I would love to lay my hands on their heads to see if there are adhesions or fascial strains causing these symptoms for them as well.