“This is the gospel of Rolfing: When the body gets working appropriately, the force of gravity can flow through. Then, spontaneously, the body heals itself.”

—Ida P. Rolf

Rolfing structural integration is a method of soft tissue manipulation, similar to a deep massage, that aims to improve posture, relieve stress, and ease chronic pain. Founder Ida P. Rolf (1896–1979), a pioneer in the field of medicine in the 1920s, was intrigued by alternative healing practices such as homeopathy, chiropractic, and yoga. She felt that the body functions best when its bones are properly aligned and that structural imbalances negatively affect the body’s muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This belief led her to establish a method she called structural integration: slow-moving pressure applied with the knuckles, thumbs, fingers, elbows, and knees to the muscles and the soft tissues around them.

Rolf movement is taught as a sequence of sessions—known as the 10 Series—devoted to specific structural and movement themes. The first session typically focuses on using breathing patterns to release pent-up “holdings” in the ribs, lungs, and diaphragm. Subsequent sessions address movement patterns in the feet, ankles, knees, hips, arms, neck, and head.

Proponents of Rolfing claim that it can improve athletic coordination, prevent repetitive stress injuries, and be used as a prophylactic measure in children with potential structural problems. They stress that Rolfing is not just a deep tissue massage, and the Rolfers must be highly skilled. Practitioners first detect problem areas, then “discriminate” by focusing on the muscles that have been pulled out of place by stress or injury. Finally, they “integrate the body, relating its segments in an improved relationship, bringing physical balance in the gravitational field,” according to the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration—something that a simple massage cannot do.

Some clinical studies have shown that Rolfing may be effective at reducing anxiety, improving movement in cerebral palsy patients, boosting well-being in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, and treating lower-back disorders, although more research is needed in these areas. Patients with osteoporosis, skin damage, or bleeding disorders and those who are taking blood-thinning medications should avoid Rolfing.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

  1. It’s estimated that more than 1 million people have received Rolfing work. The term is now a registered service mark in 27 countries.
  2. According to the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration, more than 1,550 specialists worldwide offer Rolfing services.
  3. Rolf held a doctorate in biochemistry from Columbia University.