Ida Rolf
Treating the tissues to improve posture and health. Biochemist Ida P. Rolf, Ph.D., gained her first exposure to therapeutic manipulation when she was sucessfully treated by an osteopath for a respiratory condition. Her treatments became the cornerstone of her work; the body’s structure profoundly affects all physiological and psychological processes. Her work was also influenced by her exposure to Hatha yoga. …
Rolfing is named after Dr. Ida P. Rolf. She began her inquiry more than fifty years ago, devoting her energy to creating a holistic system of soft tissue manipulation and movement education that organized the whole body in gravity.
Dr. Rolf eventually named her work Structural Integration. She discovered that she could achieve remarkable changes in posture and structure by manipulating the body’s myofascial system.
“Rolfing” is the nickname that many clients and practitioners gave this work, and is now a registered service mark in 27 countries. Rolfing structural integration has the ability to dramatically alter a person’s posture and structure.
Professional athletes, dancers, children, business people, and people from all walks of life have benefited from Rolfing. People seek Rolfing as a way to ease pain and chronic stress, and improve performance in their professional and daily activities. It’s estimated that more than 1 million people have received Rolfing work.
Research has demonstrated that Rolfing creates a more efficient use of the muscles, allows the body to conserve energy, and creates more economical and refined patterns of movement. Research also shows that Rolfing significantly reduces chronic stress and changes in the body structure. For example, a study showed that Rolfing significantly reduced the spinal curvature of subjects with lordosis (sway back); it also showed that Rolfing enhances neurological functioning.