Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Merbler.
Richard, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My first career was teaching and performing classical guitar. I have a Masters Degree in guitar performance and taught in college for 13 years. Playing guitar 4-5 hours a day often results in overuse injuries and when this happened to me Rolfing was very helpful in restoring full function back to my hands -good as new. A year later, I strained my back lifting my wife’s grandmother out of her wheelchair. I wasn’t in pain but at 34 I felt like an old man getting in and out of the car. At this point I went through a full series of Rolfing sessions – usually 10 sessions done once a week or every 2 weeks. Working one layer at a time my Rolfer worked with me from head to toe and slowly resolved many of the strains and torsions that had accumulated in my body over the years. After the sessions, I felt like superman – that’s a great feeling. I was ready to take on the world. A few years later my wife went through a series of Rolfing sessions to help recover from a few car accidents – whiplash-this is a great way to deal with soft tissue injuries. Our daughter was the last one in the family to get Rolfed. When Kate started walking at 2 years her left foot was turned in – a problem I had as a kid and I was put in corrective shoes. The shoes got my feet pointed in the same direction but in forced the torsion in my ankles up into my legs and pelvis and back. I didn’t want to do this to Kate so we took her to my Rolfer. Three sessions later her legs were much better. I kept seeing all these positive changes from the Rolfing process and was very curious as to how this could happen. I went through the training at the Rolf Institute for Structural Integration in 1993 and have been on an exciting journey ever since.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Building a Rolfing practice is a slow process and my skills in developing a business plan were limited. I did receive help from some of my early clients who were doctors, yoga teachers, physical therapists and physical trainers. The best referral source is word of mouth. People who have gone through the Rolfing series like to tell their friends all the interesting things they discovered about themselves and the human body. They learn that your legs are the foundation of your body and support everything above. Happy legs usually mean a happy back. The work of a Rolfer is a physically demanding job and every time I was in a car accident or recovering from surgery or some sports injury I gained new insight in how to best help my clients who had similar problems. It’s a difficult way to learn but once you experience it yourself you will never forget. I’m 64 years old and have been Rolfing for 24 years and hope to continue with my work for another 20 years. Because of the benefits that I received from Rolfing, I feel that I am stronger and healthier now than when I was 40 years old.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Rolfing Dallas – what should we know?
About 17 years ago, a surgeon sent his patient to me. Eric was 16 years old and playing basketball in high school. He had been kicked in the calf (leg whipped) during a game and his calf was swollen. The doctor said Eric had scars and adhesions in his calf as a result of getting kicked and this was restricting the flow of blood going back to his heart. This is why his calf would swell when he exercised. The surgeon said he could correct this problem but the recovery might take 6 months and the surgeon was familiar with Rolfing and thought this might be an easier way to resolve the problem. I saw Eric for 6 sessions and his problem was resolved – no more swelling in his legs. Dr. Ida Rolf developed Rolfing -Structural Integration in the 1950’s. It’s a process of organizing and balancing the human body and restoring normalcy after car accidents, sports injuries and cleaning up the confusion in tissue after surgery. Through the manipulation of fascia (connective tissue or soft tissue) which envelops every structure in our body, we try to reduce the torsions and adhesions that accumulate in the tissue. Every muscle, nerve, blood vessel, bone and organ has its own individual wrapping of fascia and there are other layers of fascia in between structures to give support and protection. To put in simply: we untie knots in the body – mobilize nerves and blood vessels as well as muscles and bones and help everything reconnect with our brain. Working with our hands we help people stand tall and move freely. A chance for a fresh start with the awareness of how to take better care of our one and only body. There is a sense of grounding which gives a feeling of safety and strength. People also report feeling taller and a quality of life in their body which may result from a structure that is more organized and balanced. It’s an interesting process and everyone takes away something special and unique.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I always had a desire to explore. Often this would get me in trouble because I would wonder off with my brothers or on my own and drive my mother crazy with worry. It’s not that I wanted to run away from home but I was always curious about the world beyond my neighborhood. I find it fascinating to travel to different parts of the country or world and listen to people’s perspective and realize that my view of the world is just a fraction of what’s happening. When I was 10 years old I started playing guitar and had a rock band in junior high and high school. I still play guitar but now I’m more interested in the different rhythms in life and in our bodies. I love to experiment and my career as a Rolfer keeps me involved with continuing education classes that feed me new ideas and concepts. Traveling around the country taking class – keeping in touch with colleagues and meeting fresh faces is a life I cherish. Always building on my foundation of knowledge and adding a new wrinkle or twist to the process is what keeps me smiling.
Pricing:
- Fee for a Rolfing session is $125 for an hour and $150 for 90 minutes.
Contact Info:
- Address: Richard Merbler Rolfing Dallas
8515 Greenville Ave. #N208 Dallas, Tx. 75243 - Website: rolfingdallas.com
- Phone: 972-392-7653
- Email: rolfingdallas@gmail.com
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
