Rolfing

Rolfing is a method of manipulating the soft tissue of the body, the aim being to realign it structurally along with harmonizing its basic patterns of movement with respect to gravity. Rolfing is based on the teachings of Dr. Ida Pauline Rolf (1896-1979), a biochemist who became a physical therapist, who developed it after studying various holistic healing methods like the Alexander technique, yoga, chiropractic, homeopathy, osteopathy, and so on. It was some time in the early to middle part of the 1950s that Dr. Rolf developed her method of healing, which was earlier known as Postural Release, which later became Structural Integration of the Human Body. Later, the people who started following the methodology of Structural Integration started using the term ‘Rolfing’. Dr. Rolf established The Rolf Institute of Structural Integration in 1971. She has also written a number of books like ‘Rolfing: The Integration of Human Structures’, based on her principles of the relationship that exists between structure and form in the body.

What is the Methodology of Rolfing?

According to Dr. Rolf, there is a linkage between repressed emotions and muscular tension. The massaging technique of Rolfing goes beyond chiropractic, wherein it is founded on the idea that emotional and physical well being are dependent on various parts of the body being aligned properly. While in chiropractic, it is the spine that is primarily worked on, in Rolfing it is believed that the other parts of the body such as the head, shoulders, thorax, pelvis, knees, ankles, and so on should also be aligned correctly or else the harmful effects of gravity will be manifested.

Also, while ordinary massage focuses on the manipulation of the muscles, Rolfing’s focus is on manipulating the protective layer on them, known as fascia, also referred to as connective tissue. Muscles are tissues that contract, by which parts of the body can move. The fascia, on the other hand, is the sheet or band of connective tissue that surrounds the organs, bones, and muscles. The fascia is what provides the structure of the body and shape to muscles. According to Rolfing, the body gets out of alignment due to factors like physical injuries, the stresses of day-to-day activities, and the forces of the Earth’s gravity. This results in the fascia slowly tightening and shortening in order to adjust to the misalignment. When there is misalignment in the body, it leads to imbalance and inefficiency, which results in energy loss, discomfort, and stiffness.

Rolfing techniques help in aligning and balancing the body by stretching and realigning the fascia. Once the fascia is thus manipulated it results in muscles moving more efficiently. The Rolfer achieves this by applying pressure on the body, working on the whole system of fascia in a methodical way. Once the body gets back its alignment and balance, it has the ability to move with greater efficiency and ease, therefore requiring less energy in order to function. The breathing becomes easier and good posture is restored. The coordination and flexibility of the body is improved, resulting in improving its ability to carry out day-to-day activities with far more ease, and also improves athletic performance.

What are the Beneficial Effects of Rolfing?

After a course of Rolfing sessions, it is claimed that people seem to look slimmer and taller, some actually gaining in height ranging from ¼-inch to about an inch. Pain and discomfort often disappear altogether. Some of the other commonly felt benefits include increased flexibility, a sense of fluidity and lightness, better breathing capacity, improved balance, better self-confidence, and an increase in energy.

While the main aim of Rolfing is bringing about physical changes, however, it is said to affect the whole persona. Apart from the physical being, humans are also made up of patterns of behavior, beliefs, attitudes, emotions, and so, all of which are linked. Once the physical structure is aligned it results in having a beneficial effect on the potential of the whole person. People who have had Rolfing have reported several positive effects like less stress, better ability to deal with the stresses of life, and a general feeling of well being.

What are the Conditions that are Alleviated by Rolfing?

Rolfing alleviates chronic pain that affects the shoulders, neck, hips, back, or the knees. Specific conditions like chronic headaches, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and scoliosis have also been alleviated. People working on computers, or new mothers due to problems occurring in pregnancy and childbirth, or sports people who experience pain in the neck and low back are increasingly seeking Rolfing as a method of easing their symptoms. Some people just opt for it to improve their posture and prevent problems that may arise from misalignment. People involved in activities like sport, dance, and yoga also opt for it in order to improve their performance. And some people are choosing Rolfing just for its holistic health benefits on emotional and psychological levels.