*This article is a translation of one I wrote while I was practicing in Japan.

I would like to report on the progress of N’s 9th session. Four months had passed since the previous visit. N reported feeling so good that they had almost forgotten about coming for their Rolfing session. “I’ve started going to the gym and have been moving my body more than before,” which seems to be a significant change for N. However, N mentioned noticing something while at the gym. When doing stretching exercises, N became aware of stiffness in a part of their neck. This session focused on addressing this neck stiffness and further improving the knock-knee condition.

The Cause of Neck Stiffness

The space in the back of the throat or nose?

We were able to confirm that the neck stiffness was related to the 2nd and 3rd cervical vertebrae based on the symptoms. Considering the myofascial chain between the cervical vertebrae and various other parts of the body, we found that the 2nd and 3rd cervical vertebrae were strongly connected to tension in the back of the throat. For the cervical spine in particular, it’s more effective to address issues in conjunction with other related areas rather than focusing solely on the spine itself.

First, while approaching the cervical spine in a supine position, we asked N to focus their attention on the space at the back of the throat and nose, trying to relax those areas. Initially, N had difficulty sensing these internal spaces they had never consciously felt before. However, they gradually began to grasp the concept, and at one point, they were able to fully experience the internal sensation along with the relaxation of the cervical spine. It’s fascinating to observe how the cervical vertebrae I’m working on simultaneously relax the moment N becomes aware of the space in the throat and nose.

Integrating the newfound sensation into the body

Next, we worked on reflecting this internal sensation into the body under gravity, progressing from quadruped position to sitting, and then to standing. We adapted the stretching routines N does at the gym, guiding them to connect the internal sensation with the 2nd and 3rd cervical vertebrae and the sacrum. The 2nd and 3rd cervical vertebrae and the spaces in the throat and nose that N experienced are among the areas that humans tend to tense up the most. By adding this body awareness to their previous stretching routines, N was immediately able to feel a simultaneous relaxation in their shoulders. Maintaining awareness of this pleasant internal sensation while performing any stretch becomes the key to using the body functionally and effectively.

Approach to Knock Knees

Can you play rock-paper-scissors with your toes?

Next, we approached the knock-knee issue from the perspective of muscle balance in the soles of the feet. The proper functioning of the small muscles in the soles of the feet is crucial when considering lower limb balance. This is particularly important for modern people who wear shoes all day, and many are required to wear dress shoes or high heels in professional settings. Shoes can restrict the natural function of the toes. Regaining toe functionality is essential for balancing the myofascial chain from the lower limbs to the entire body.

When checking N’s feet, we found that they had difficulty using each toe independently, as had been the case before. When asked to move their toes, N couldn’t move the big toe independently from the other four toes. Due to the presence of hallux valgus (bunion), the flexor hallucis brevis and adductor hallucis muscles were barely functioning. The functionality of these muscles can be checked by attempting to make a “peace sign” with the toes.

When standing and walking with non-functional big toes and fallen arches, the impact spreads through the myofascial chain to the lower leg and thigh. The center of gravity tends to shift towards the outer arch of the foot, causing tension in the peroneal muscle group and shortening the outer line of the lower leg. Meanwhile, the inner arch of the foot isn’t functioning adequately, preventing the inner line from the lower leg to the thigh from maintaining proper tension.

When the big toe becomes mobile

We first helped N recognize the exact structure of the toe bones and muscles, then used an AMP (Active Movement Participation) approach in a seated position to help them move their big toe independently. At first, N couldn’t grasp the sensation at all, but gradually got the hang of it, and eventually was able to move the big toe independently. When we checked in the standing position at the end, N commented, “My toes feel much longer. It’s like my big toe has come back to life. Using my toes shifts my center of gravity slightly, which feels strangely different.” This is a typical response indicating the necessary unfamiliarity with a new position. N’s knock-knee condition is evidence that diligently working on restoring foot function is necessary.

The Importance of Developing Body Awareness

N’s internal body awareness has developed considerably since the beginning, from grasping the internal sensation of the neck to cultivating awareness in the toes. Their current level of awareness is comparable to that of individuals focused on performance, such as ballet dancers or other dancers. So why is developing body awareness so important? It’s because to maximize one’s self-correcting abilities, one needs to become aware of imbalances in the body as early as possible.

Early detection, early correction

Nothing beats “early detection, early correction” in any situation. Developing body awareness leads to early detection of poor posture during desk work, noticing shallow breathing and taking appropriate short breaks, and finding points for early correction on one’s own. Furthermore, by bringing awareness to how the body is used in daily life and during exercises at the gym, it becomes possible to exercise more effectively without injury. Knock knees, bowlegs, and feelings of stiffness or tension in the neck are important messages from the body. The process of improving these conditions can lead to reconsidering how we use our bodies in daily life and finding opportunities to enhance our quality of life (QOL).

The next session will be Session 10. I’m already looking forward to seeing how we can summarize the final session.

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