About Us

Dr Ida P. Rolf

Structural Integration came to presence during the Human Potential Movement in the 1950’s-70’s. Dr. Rolf noticed that despite the authentic spiritual, mental and emotional growth that was happening at this time, people’s bodies were not quite along for the ride. {I see this in my own practice. The body will bring attention to itself in order to resolve this imbalance. This can look like disease, pain, discomfort…..}. She saw the dynamic set of relationships, which we call body, or “Structure” as the context of who we are and how we behave as physical beings in physical reality. What she observed was that most bodies are in conflict with themselves and thus in conflict with gravity. This situation creates conflict with respect to ones relationship to herself, and her relationship to other.

Dr. Rolf did not seem all too concerned with some of the other ramifications, i.e., pain, discomfort etc…. which she thought were symptoms of the deeper reality; that our bodies inhibit us from relationship. I think there’s a quote from her that goes something like: “If your symptoms get better, that’s your own tough luck” She was primarily concerned with the evolution and potential of our species, which she thought had to do with the degree to which we can be in relationship with gravity, rather than leaking all our vital energies, at war with gravity.

This emphasis on the body as the context for who we are, and the source of limitation, was revolutionary in the West. Moreover, the notion that the body can be systematically changed in favor of increasing order, and function, and that these changes would affect the mind, was also revolutionary. Dr. Rolf’s insight was that Fascia (a form of connective tissue) creates the relationships in the body. For instance, relationships between bones, muscles, organs etc…. Rolfers work with the fascial system of the body in order to re-shape it to establish clearer, more appropriate relationships, within the body, among the segments of the body, and between the individual and gravity.

Structural Integration Practitioners

Ed Hemberger

Credentials

Hemberger Structural Integration (Formerly Total Massage Therapy), 1998-Present

• Work with connective tissue and muscles to resolve conflict, correcting balance and posture
• Apply various modalities (ART, MRT, Paul St. Johns Neuromuscular) as needed
• Clients range from 10-80 years old, with conditions/difficulties from mild to severe
• Specialized therapy with professional and amatuer athletes in all disciplines

Practitioner Of Structural Integration, Office Of Dr. Thomas Findley, MD, Ph.D., 2005-Present

• Assistant Practictioner to one of the world’s renowned Rolfing practitioners
• Directly responsible for patients with ,angulospundilits, laminectomy, periphereal neuropathy, frozen shoulder, plantar fasciatus, other severe back/neck difficulties
• Assist in research projects

Sports Massage Therapist (Professionals)

• Navigators, Division II Cycling, 2000-2002; Tour de Georgia (Ofoto-Lombardi), 2004
• Rutgers Football, 2004; New Jersey Jackals, 2006; New Jersey Ballet, 2007-2008

Certifications

Certified Practitioner Of Structural Integration

• Training: School of Integrated Therapy, Holmdel, NJ, 2004-2005
• Additional Training: Rolf Institute (Boston), 2007; Guild for Structural Integration (Boulder, CO) 2007

Certified Massage Therapist

• Training: Healing Hands Institute, Westwood, NJ, 1997-1998

Certified Holistic Practitioner

• The Velazquez System, New York City, 2000-2005

Dr Thomas Findley, MD PhD

Director for Research
Northern NJ Pain & Rehabilitation

Dr. Findley’s approach to patients combines his training and interest in many areas of medicine and health care. He has a longstanding interest in combining both traditional and alternative approaches, and has received training in both acupuncture and homeopathy while still in medical school.

Dr. Findley was also one of the co-principal investigators on a center for alternative medicine for persons with neurological and muscular conditions, sponsored by the NIH at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation. He is now involved in a center for treatment of veterans with medically unexplained conditions and in planning the First International Congress on Fascia Research.

Qualifications:

• 1973-7 MD Georgetown University
• 1983 PhD Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , University of Minnesota
• 1983 Board Certified, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• 1985 Board Certified, American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine
• 1987-90 Research Director, Rolf Institute
• 1993 Started Structural Integration program at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, NJ
• 1993 Basic Training, Guild for Structural Integration
• 1998 Advanced Training, Rolf Institute
• 2005 Research Director, Rolf Institute
• 2006 Started Rolfing program at East Orange VA Medical Center, NJ