Rolfing is an alternative medical treatment defined by the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration as “a form of hands-on manipulation and movement” that “works on the web-like network of connective tissues, called fascia, to release, realign and balance the whole body, potentially resolving discomfort, reducing compensations and alleviating pain.” As a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2007, the Turkish-American surgeon, author, and TV personality Mehmet Oz (born 1960), also known as Dr. Oz, described Rolfing as “even deeper than deep tissue massage.”
Rolfing is named for Ida Rolf (1896–1979), an American biochemist who, in the 1940s, developed structural integration, a type of bodywork that focuses on the connective tissue that surrounds the muscles, blood vessels, organs, and nerves of the body. In the 1950s, Rolf and her son Richard taught classes in various locations throughout the United States. The Rolf Institute of Structural Integration, founded in 1971 and based in Boulder, Colorado, has produced more than 1,500 practitioners of Rolf’s techniques.
Rolfing is not as popular or widespread as some of the other practices covered in this chapter, but you may still be able to find a certified Rolfer in your area. The Rolf Institute of Structural Integration’s website (www.rolf.org) offers lots of great information as well as a search function to find a Rolfer by location.