Rolfing? Structural Integration

Related Terms

Bodywork, manipulative therapy, postural release, somatic ontology, Structural Integration.

Background

Rolfing? Structural Integration involves deep tissue massage aimed at relieving stress and improving mobility, posture, balance, muscle function and efficiency, energy, and overall well being. Practitioners apply slow-moving pressure with their knuckles, thumbs, fingers, elbows, and knees to the muscles, tissue around the muscles, and other soft tissues. Rolfing? Structural Integration, also called somatic ontology, concentrates on opposing muscle groups, such as the biceps and triceps in the upper arms.
The methods used in Rolfing? were developed in the 1950s by Dr. Ida P. Rolf, based on the belief that imbalances in body structure can be corrected by manipulating the soft tissue networks of muscle, fascia, tendons, and ligaments. In 1971, Rolf founded The Rolf Institute of Structure Integration in Boulder, CO, which currently owns rights to the registered mark Rolfing?. However though the term rolfing is also used for various therapies based on the teachings of Rolf.

Theory

Rolfing? Structural Integration is based on the belief that the tissues surrounding muscles become stiff and thickened with age, leading to musculoskeletal dysfunction and misalignment of the body. By working the muscles and muscle tissue, practitioners aim to improve these problems.
Practitioners assert that people who undergo this therapy will experience improved alignment, increased comfort with movement, and increased body awareness in space. The Rolfing? technique focuses on harmonizing balance and support in the gravitational field.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Structural Integration may help treat anxiety, although early research is unclear. Further research is needed.

 C


Structural Integration may help treat anxiety, although early research is unclear. Further research is needed.

 C


Rolfing? Structural Integration may improve movement slightly in cerebral palsy patients. More studies are needed to confirm these possible benefits.

 C


Rolfing? Structural Integration may improve movement slightly in cerebral palsy patients. More studies are needed to confirm these possible benefits.

 C


Rolfing? Structural Integration may benefit cardiovascular endurance in people with chronic fatigue syndrome. Patients showed improvement in overall well being. However, larger well-designed studies are needed to confirm these results.

 C


Rolfing? Structural Integration may benefit cardiovascular endurance in people with chronic fatigue syndrome. Patients showed improvement in overall well being. However, larger well-designed studies are needed to confirm these results.

 C


Rolfing? might improve pelvic tilt in healthy patients, suggesting that other low back disorders may benefit from Rolfing?. More studies are needed to show that Rolfing? Structural Integration can effectively treat back pain and other back disorders.

 C


Rolfing? might improve pelvic tilt in healthy patients, suggesting that other low back disorders may benefit from Rolfing?. More studies are needed to show that Rolfing? Structural Integration can effectively treat back pain and other back disorders.

 C


Early study suggests that Rolfing? may benefit stress-induced musculoskeletal disorders.

C


Early study suggests that Rolfing? may benefit stress-induced musculoskeletal disorders.

C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Safety

Many complementary techniques are practiced by healthcare professionals with formal training, in accordance with the standards of national organizations. However, this is not universally the case, and adverse effects are possible. Due to limited research, in some cases only limited safety information is available.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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Cottingham JT, Maitland J. A three-paradigm treatment model using soft tissue mobilization and guided movement-awareness techniques for a patient with chronic low back pain: a case study. J Orthoped Sports Phys Ther 1997;26(3):155-167.
Cottingham JT, Porges SW, Lyon T. Effects of soft tissue mobilization (Rolfing pelvic lift) on parasympathetic tone in two age groups. Phys Ther 1988;68(3):352-356.
Cottingham JT, Porges SW, Richmond K. Shifts in pelvic inclination angle and parasympathetic tone produced by Rolfing soft tissue manipulation. Phys Ther 1988;68(9):1364-1370.
Deutsch JE, Derr LL, Judd P, et al. Treatment of chronic pain through the use of structural integration (rolfing). Orthopaedic Phys Ther Clin North America 2000;9(3):411-425.
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Kerr HD. Ureteral stent displacement associated with deep massage. WMJ 1997;96(12):57-58.
Perry J, Jones MH, Thomas L. Functional evaluation of Rolfing in cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol 1981;23(6):717-729.
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Santoro F, Maiorana C, Geirola R. Neuromascular relaxation and CCMDP. Rolfing and applied kinesiology. Dent Cadmos 1989; 57(17):76-80.
Talty CM, DeMasi I, Deutsch JE. Structural integration applied to patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a retrospective chart review. J Orthopaedic Sports Phys Ther 1998;27(1):83.
Weinberg RS, Hunt VV. Effects of structural integration on state-trait anxiety. J Clin Psychol 1979;35(2):319-322.