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Rolfing is named after its creator, Dr. Ida P. Rolf who received her Ph.D. in biochemistry from Columbia University in 1920. She furthered her knowledge of the body through scientific work in organic chemistry at the Rockefeller Institute.
After extensive research for solutions to family health problems led her to examine many care modalities including yoga, osteopathy and chiropractic medicine, Dr. Rolf combined her research with her scientific knowledge. The result was a deeper appreciation of the body’s structural order, and her very own integrative modality, the theory and practice of Rolfing. There are more than 1,200 Certified Rolfers in 27 different countries. The Rolf Institute’s international headquarters is in Boulder, Colorado, with offices in Germany, Brazil, and Japan.
Rolfing is a system of soft tissue manipulation and movement that realigns and improves the whole-body structure. Rolfing bodywork affects the body’s posture and structure by manipulating the myofascial system which is the connective tissue. Often considered a deep-tissue approach, Rolfing bodywork utilizes all the layers of the body to ease strain patterns in the entire system. Research has suggested that Rolfing may create more efficient muscle use, allow the body to conserve energy, and could result in more economical patterns of movement. Some also believe that Rolfing can reduce chronic stress, spinal curvature, and enhance neurological functioning.
Rolfing is used to reduce pain and chronic muscle tension, which are often the result of physical and emotional traumas. Many professional athletes use Rolfing to improve performance, treat current and avoid future injuries by breaking up scar tissue, rehabilitate injuries, and increase range of motion. Dancers, Olympic athletes, and musicians use Rolfing to increase range of motion, increase comfort in their bodies while performing, as well as avoid repetitive stress injuries. Some popular figures who espouse the benefits of Rolfing include Willie Nelson, and Olympians Joe Greene and Elvis Stojko. Some manufacturing companies have employed Rolfing to decrease workers’ compensation costs due to repetitive stress injuries.
Rolfing utilizes soft tissue manipulation and movement education with the goal of affecting body posture and structure over the long-term. Rolfing is not massage, which often focuses on relaxation and relief of muscle discomfort. Rolfing is aimed at improving body alignment and functioning. Rolfing is different from deep-tissue massage, in that practitioners are trained to create overall ease and balance throughout the entire structure, rather than focusing on areas presenting with tension. As a structure becomes more organized, chronic strain patterns are alleviated, and pain and stress decrease.
Furthermore, Rolfing can speed up injury recovery by reducing pain, stiffness, and muscle tension. Another benefit of Rolfing is improved movement and circulation around joints. Structural integration is generally performed over a series of ten sessions. This approach allows the Rolfer to affect the client’s structure in a methodical manner. This includes loosening superficial fascia before working deeper areas, improving support in feet and legs before affecting higher structures, and helping clients find ways to benefit from freer movement in their daily activities.
This content is provided by the non-profit organization we support: The Center for Wellness Leadership.
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