A rolfer is a person who practices rolfing, a system related to structural integration and soft tissue manipulation. The job is a physician-type one, and it can be quite demanding in some cases. A rolfer works with their patients, examining the state of their tissue and figuring out appropriate courses of action for the removal of any problems related to it, through application of the proper manipulation techniques. Rolfing has been gaining some popularity as a technique recently.
Becoming a rolfer takes a specialized degree, though most of the skills required can also be attained in the course of employment, typically working under someone’s supervision. A good rolfer must have a strong sense of working with patients, and the ability to adapt new techniques as they’re developed, which is common in the field of rolfing. Rolfers usually practice on their own and rarely need the assistance of specialized teams, though it’s not uncommon for rolfers to hire assistants.
A rolfer, being a type of a physician, can earn a good salary, typically in the $50,000 – $85,000 range. The job is seen as quite demanding by some of those who practice it, though it does offer good incentives like additional bonuses and benefits, and in general it’s seen as a job with good prospects for further career development and earning a respectable living. One of the commonly expressed downsides to the job of a rolfer is the lack of flexibility in its working hours, as well as some other disadvantages which can put off candidates.