This is probably the question most frequently asked of Rolfers. The answer is:

1. Sometimes it does, but not in the way people think
2. Sometimes it doesn't
3. Sometimes it feels terrific

Most people associate "hurt" with injury. When people are being Rolfed, they have no sense of being injured. In fact, even if the work is momentarily uncomfortable, it feels appropriate, safe and, as many people put it, like a "good hurt."

One measure of a Rolfer's skill is the ability to find that unique place for each client where working more deeply creates resistance and pain and working less deeply sacrifices results. Rolfers who err in one direction may cause hurt while Rolfers who err in the other direction sacrifice results.

The movement of the Rolfer proceeds very slowly and gradually. There is ample time to relax with it. If the Rolfer feels any tightening or withdrawing, he/she stops immediately. As soon as the pressure is withdrawn, any discomfort is immediately gone.

As an additional safeguard, I instruct the person being Rolfed to say "stop" at any time that the sensation crosses the line from release to stress. Following a Rolfing session there is rarely any discomfort. In the occasional case where there is, it is usually experienced as a mild soreness to touch, similar to the sensation of an overworked muscle, and is gone in a day.