Rolfing is a form of deep-tissue,
structurally oriented bodywork that was created by Ida
P. Rolf, Ph.D., a Columbia University trained biochemist
in the 1930s. When she developed this therapy, Dr. Rolf
was influenced by her knowledge of Hatha yoga, the Alexander
technique, osteopathy, and homeopathy.
She called her own approach structural integration because
it dealt with the way the body's structure affects its
function. It didn't take long, however, for the public
to start calling it Rolfing--and the nickname stuck. In
1971, Dr. Rolf established the Rolf Institute of Structural
Integration, now located in Boulder, Colorado, with adjunct
institutes in Munich, Germany, and Sao Paolo, Brazil,
to oversee the standardization of the Rolfing method and
the training of practitioners, known as Rolfers.
Today, Rolfing is employed primarily to help reduce stress
and ease mobility, address posture problems, and reduce
musculoskeletal and back pain. Proponents suggest that
it can relieve a variety of other ailments as well. How
Does It Work? Rolfing is based on the premise that physical
and emotional stress--as well as gravity--can throw the
body out of vertical alignment and cause muscles and the
connective tissue known as fascia to become rigid and
inflexible. (Fascia encases muscle and connects muscle
to bone.)
These problems can then lead to more stress, illness,
and a loss of general well-being. Rolfing aims to realign
the body by using intense pressure and stroking to stretch
shortened and tightened fascia back into shape. The goal
is to make the fascia softer and more flexible, and to
restore its natural balance in relation to muscles, tendons,
and bones.
Practitioners manipulate the fascia rather than the muscles
themselves. Pressure from the practitioner's knuckles,
knees, elbows, or fingers on this connective tissue is
said to release deeply held tension and stress. Rolfing
results in ease of movement, improved posture, and overall
emotional and physical health.
