For most of us, Rolfing is an unfamiliar term. It is actually a form of deep-tissue massage that is designed to realign internal body structures. I first read about Rolfing about 10 years ago and wanted to try it. Over the past few months, I have had the opportunity to be "Rolfed." I would not say that it is the most comfortable or relaxing form of bodywork, however, in my own personal experience, it does seem to make a difference.

 

Rolfing has a fascinating history. It is the brainchild of Ida Rolf (1896-1979). Ida Rolf, Ph.D., was an organic chemist. She and her sons had physical problems that were not helped by the traditional medical system. This prompted Rolf to seek alternative therapies. Over decades she studied many nontraditional therapies including chiropractic, homeopathy and massage, which ultimately lead to the invention of Rolfing.

 

She believed that over time, wear and tear on the body can create significant inefficiencies of motion. These inefficiencies of motion lead to tension and tightness in the body and might ultimately result in pain. Pain then exacerbates these inefficiencies of motion, increasing tightness and tension. There is ample medical evidence to demonstrate that people who are in pain have muscle tightness and gait problems. There is also a large body of research suggesting that reducing tightness improves gait and pain.

 

Ida Rolf realized that more than just muscles and bones were involved in movement. There is an extensive network of other connective tissue consisting of, in part, fascia, ligaments and tendons that influences how the body moves. Tension in any of these support structures might impact overall efficiency of motion, causing pain.

 

Rolfing is a very deep form of massage. It can be very uncomfortable, but the end results are remarkable. After my Rolfing sessions, my body feels like 10 or 15 years have been taken off. It is hard to explain, but there is a deep sense of profound physical comfort in movement ... something like we used to have when we were teenagers.

 

Although massage is arguably the most common form of medical therapy in the world, very little medical research has been done on it. However, considering that every medical system in the world, including ours, incorporates some form of massage, it must have significant benefit.

 

Rolfing is not something I would suggest for those who are in severe pain. However, I do believe that it has a role in maintaining one's overall health, especially as we age. Although Ida Rolf passed away in 1979, her theories and massage techniques continue to be taught. Worldwide, there are more than 1,500 therapists certified by the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration, and a number are in Chicago and the suburbs.

 

According to one of my sources who knew Ida Rolf personally, Rolf also believed that Rolfing helped to balance the body's energy centers called Chakras ... but that is the topic for a different column.