“This work has been life-changing for me – when I first started getting Rolfed 10 years ago on my daughter’s suggestion, I had constant pain and a lot of concerns over the progression of my scoliosis, which is somewhat severe. My chronic pain went away within the first few sessions and the flareups I would have from time to time have gotten much less frequent and less painful and do not last very long. Most of the time now I am in no pain at all. I went to see a spinal specialist recently and he painted a dire picture of what my future could be but I just didn’t buy into it because I have seen that with Rolfing and the exercises I learned in physical therapy I have more control than I have ever had over my physical well-being.

Given the extent of my scoliosis, I still have to deal with weird things that seem to malfunction for no obvious reason but we seem to be able to resolve them more and more easily. Another bonus is that I look better – my wife always knows when I have been to see James because I look so much taller…“When patients ask whether Rolfing would be good for them, I reply that it depends on the practitioner. If the Rolfer has the vision to see the body as it is, the hands to feel into the blocks, the heart to truly work deeply, and the reflection to honestly measure the results, I would definitely say yes. James Schwartz has it all, the vision, the hands, the heart and the reflection. Add to that a wealth of experience and a hunger to keep learning and one can hardly ask for more.”

Ted Jarvis

Three years ago, after working as an esthetician for 15 years, I was forced to go on disability. My sciatica had become completely debilitating. My hip was stuck way out of alignment. My pelvis had frozen and my lumbar curve was flattened out. Not only was I in excruciating pain, but I was deformed as well. I thought I would not be able to work in my profession again. I went to a chiropractor for many months weekly, which helped a little.

A friend suggested Rolfing but I was concerned that it would be painful, but I was desperate. Calling James was the best thing I ever did – yes, there’s a little discomfort, but the relief that followed was immediate and profound. He has such a compassionate way about him, he made me feel completely safe. I have definitely had massages that did less and hurt more.

I started to feel better right away, but we had a breakthrough after about 5 sessions that was so dramatic that it allowed me to go off of disability. I still see him every couple of months, but my worst day now would have been my best day then. I feel like James gave me my life back.

Michelle Smith

“When patients ask whether Rolfing would be good for them, I reply that it depends on the practitioner. If the Rolfer has the vision to see the body as it is, the hands to feel into the blocks, the heart to truly work deeply, and the reflection to honestly measure the results, I would definitely say yes. James Schwartz has it all, the vision, the hands, the heart and the reflection. Add to that a wealth of experience and a hunger to keep learning and one can hardly ask for more.”
Steven L. Katz, D.C.
Chiropractic Orthopedist

“Rolfing has taken at least 10 years off my legs. When I started working with James 7 years ago I was constantly sore and tight and struggled with hamstring, calf and foot problems. Right from the first session, I felt a dramatic difference in my recovery rate – I could work out harder, longer and recover much quicker. As my chronic problems got better, I improved to the point where I was able to maintain a running streak of over 400 consecutive days, something I have never been able to do without injuring myself. I was doing 50 miles of strenuous training per week including high intensity speedwork on the track, yet nothing was hurting. Later that year, I was successful in attaining a personal goal of running under 5 minutes for the one mile run at the age of 50 with a nationally ranked time of 4:56.39.”
Mike Fanelli, competitive runner for nearly 40 years.

Alón Sagee, an active athlete his entire life, sought me out after a major injury. “Five months ago, I had major spinal surgery on my low back. With the help of my diligent yoga practice, I had made what my doctor thought was a remarkable recovery, but I still felt that certain yoga postures that required a deep opening were all but impossible for me. I had been Rolfed years ago and had remarkable results, but it was so intense that I was not looking forward to going through that again. However, I felt resigned to the fact that this was the only thing that would work to open my body. James later told me I looked very serious when I came in for my first session. Really, I was just nervous – my previous experience with Rolfing was so painful. So, as my first surprise, it felt great! Don’t get me wrong – it can be challenging at times, but even then it felt like what my body had been wanting for years. I ended up laughing through most of the session because I could hardly believe what I was experiencing. It felt like I had just done six months of yoga in an hour! I could breathe fully – possibly for the first time – my back expanding easily with each inhale. Walking to my car was remarkable: My hips, knees, legs, back – everything James touched seemed to be lubricated, moving with an ease I had never known before. I hardly recognized my own body. I’ve now had five sessions with James, and the “conversation” that both of us are having with my body continues to expose and release old patterns, freeing me to flow through my day with a newfound calm. In my daily yoga practice, I now do stretches I simply couldn’t do before beginning this process.”
Alon Sagee
www.yogabusinesscoach.com

“Linda Gill, a former UCLA cross-country and track athlete, tried Rolfing to recover from a nagging hamstring injury. After several sessions, she noticed that, ‘Rolfing really helped my overall body mechanics; the tension I historically felt in my shoulders was gone, my hamstrings felt great and breathing became easier as my chest opened up.’ Six months later, Linda won a Black Shirt (given to the first 35 finishers, out of the approximately 1000 runners) in the famous Dipsea, a cruel 7.1 mile race in Marin County California, and the following year was the fastest female finisher.
(Excerpt from “Where’s the rub: Purge your trail-running imbalances with Rolfing” Trail Runner Magazine, July 2005) trailrunnermag.com/article.php?id=87&start=Here’s&cat=6