RATINGS
 Evidence
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 Practitioner
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Dr.
Ida Rolf, an American biochemist, began to develop Rolfing in the 1950s as a
system of body education and soft tissue manipulation designed to bring the
whole body into vertical alignment. Dr. Rolf believed that the body has a
natural symmetry, enabling it to work in harmony with gravity, but that injury,
poor posture, or emotional distress could throw it out of alignment. Rolfing
has been used by athletes, dancers, and singers to
improve breathing patterns and increase suppleness, and many people use it as an aid to physical and emotional well-being.
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HISTORY
Rolfing,
also known as "structural integration," was developed by Dr. Ida
Rolf, who became interested in body manipulation after receiving osteopathic
treatment for a displaced rib. Dr. Rolf's research led her to conclude that the
physical structure of the human body affects its physiological and
psychological makeup and is the key to well-being. Her work took many years to
gain recognition, but in the 1960s an awakening of interest in the relationship
between body and mind, aided by the well-publicized treatment of a number of celebrity
clients and the personal growth movement, brought Rolfing to the fore as a
complementary therapy. In 1971 Dr. Rolf established the Rolf Institute for
Structural Integration in Boulder, Colorado. Over 900 practitioners have since
been trained by the Institute: most practice in the US, but there are some in
Australia, Brazil, and Europe, particularly in Germany and the UK. KEY PRINCIPLES
Every
muscle in the body is enveloped in and separated by a network of thin, elastic
connective tissue known as fascia. Rolfers maintain that when the body is
subjected
to
physical or emotional stress, fascia loses pliability and bunches and hardens,
so that movement becomes restricted. This process is believed to be gradual,
and people subconsciously adapt to cope with the limitations it imposes on the
body. They stop breathing easily and moving freely, and as a result they lose
their natural vertical alignment. Gradually, the nervous system, circulation,
and digestion become impaired, affecting both physical and emotional health and
even contributing to premature aging.
Rolfers
compare their work to sculpting, realigning the body so that it can work with,
rather than against, gravity. In a series of ten sessions they systematically
work around the body using firm pressure applied with elbows, fingers, and
knuckles to remold the fascia, stretching and opening the soft tissues to
correct any misalignment of the head, shoulders, abdomen, pelvis, and legs.
Once the body is correctly aligned, aches and pains caused by muscular tension
are alleviated.
CONSULTING
A PRACTITIONER
Treatment usually consists of ten weekly,
one-hour sessions. The practitioner will take a detailed medical and personal
history before asking you to undress to your underwear so that she can examine
your posture and body structure. Any physical problems revealed are then
discussed. Before and after treatment you will be photographed from several
angles so that any changes can be recorded.
During
a session, you lie or sit on a massage table or mat, and the practitioner uses
her hands, fingers, knuckles, and elbows in a series of slow movements, often
applying considerable pressure that may cause some pain. You will be asked to
synchronize your breathing with the manipulation, and sometimes to move your
arms and legs in a controlled way. Each session focuses on a particular body
area, the final sessions intended to "reset" muscles and fine tune
posture. Treatment can sometimes release memories
of emotional anguish. As a follow up, self-help exercises, known as
"movement integration," are often taught.
EVIDENCE & RESEARCH
Clinical
studies into Rolfing are limited. However, in 1988, researchers at the
University of Maryland found that Rolfing reduced stress, strengthened the
body's physical structure, and improved nervous system functioning. In a 1977
study at the University of California at Los Angeles, patients who had received
Rolfing exhibited improved posture and body control, and less constrained
movements. Rolfing has also been reported to reduce anxiety more efficiently
than exercise and to help correct excessive inward curvature of the spine
(swayback).
MEDICAL OPINION
Most
doctors view Rolfing as a form of massage therapy and see its use as a matter
of personal choice, provided the patient is in reasonable mental and physical
health, and the practitioner fully trained. Some doctors appreciate its
potential value for the treatment of persistent pain.
PRECAUTIONS
• Avoid
Rolfing if you have cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, or any other inflammatory
condition.
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