Rolfing: Difference between revisions
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Because of its dependence on [[vitalistic]] concepts and its unevidenced propositions about the connection between physical manipulation and psychology, Rolfing is classified as a [[pseudoscience]], and is generally seen as [[quackery]].<ref name="pop" /><ref name=quack>{{cite book | vauthors=Balogun JA| title=The Nigerian Healthcare System | chapter=The Spectrum of Complementary and Alternative Medicine | publisher=Springer International Publishing | year=2022 | isbn=978-3-030-88862-6 | doi=10.1007/978-3-030-88863-3_6 | url=https://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-030-88863-3_6 | page=153–212}}</ref> | Because of its dependence on [[vitalistic]] concepts and its unevidenced propositions about the connection between physical manipulation and psychology, Rolfing is classified as a [[pseudoscience]], and is generally seen as [[quackery]].<ref name="pop" /><ref name=quack>{{cite book | vauthors=Balogun JA| title=The Nigerian Healthcare System | chapter=The Spectrum of Complementary and Alternative Medicine | publisher=Springer International Publishing | year=2022 | isbn=978-3-030-88862-6 | doi=10.1007/978-3-030-88863-3_6 | url=https://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-030-88863-3_6 | page=153–212}}</ref> | ||
Writing for ''[[Science-Based Medicine]]'', lawyer Jann Bellamy writes that in the [[United States of America]] the public is inadequately protected from bodywork practices such as Rolfing because of the lack of independent oversight; instead | Writing for ''[[Science-Based Medicine]]'', lawyer Jann Bellamy writes that in the [[United States of America]] the public is inadequately protected from bodywork practices such as Rolfing because of the lack of independent oversight; instead certification is carried out within a "closed loop" system by such bodies as the [[National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork]].<ref name="jann">{{cite web|author=Jann Bellamy|date=17 September 2015|title=Massage Therapy rubs me the wrong way|url=https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/massage-therapy-rubs-me-the-wrong-way/|publisher=[[Science-Based Medicine]]}} Note in the US the Rolf Institute is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork as a continuing education provider; see: {{cite web|title=Legal Information|url=https://rolf.org/legal.php|access-date=4 June 2020|publisher=Dr. Ida Rolf Institute}}</ref> | ||
* {{lay source |template=cite web |author=Gavura, S. |date=19 November 2015 |title=Australian review finds no benefit to 17 natural therapies |url=https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/australian-review-finds-no-benefit-to-17-natural-therapies |website=Science-Based Medicine}}</ref> Accordingly, in 2017, the Australian government named Rolfing as a practice that would not qualify for insurance subsidy, to ensure the best use of insurance funds.<ref name="nosubsidy">{{cite journal |title=Homeopathy, naturopathy struck off private insurance list |author=Paola S |date=17 October 2017 |journal=Australian Journal of Pharmacy |url=https://ajp.com.au/news/homeopathy-naturopathy-struck-off-private-insurance-list/}}</ref> Proponents of Rolfing claim it can be used to alleviate pain.<ref name="Thompson2015">{{cite book|author=Rosemary Thompson|title=Counseling Techniques: Improving Relationships with Others, Ourselves, Our Families, and Our Environment|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l8JzCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA67|year=2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-61441-7|pages=67–}}</ref> However, Rolfing's focus on appropriate "alignment" of structures of the body does not reflect modern science about pain.<ref name="Ernst">{{cite book|last1=Ernst|first1=Edzard|last2=Pittler|first2=Max|last3=Wider|first3=Barbara|title=Complementary Therapies for Pain Management: An Evidence-Based Approach|date=2007|publisher=Elsevier|location=Moseby|isbn=978-0-7234-3400-9|page=150|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M9oES85plfgC&q=complementary+therapies+for+pain+management|access-date=18 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="Moseley2013">{{cite journal|last1=Moseley|first1=G. Lorimer|title=Reconceptualising pain according to modern pain science|journal=Physical Therapy Reviews|volume=12|issue=3|year=2013|pages=169–78|issn=1083-3196|doi=10.1179/108331907X223010|s2cid=4248150}}</ref> | |||
In 2015 the [[Department of Health (Australia)|Australian Government's Department of Health]] published a review of 17 alternative therapies, including Rolfing, which concluded no clear evidence of effectiveness was found.<ref name="aus17">{{Cite web |last=Baggoley C |year=2015 |title=Review of the Australian Government Rebate on Natural Therapies for Private Health Insurance |url=http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/0E9129B3574FCA53CA257BF0001ACD11/$File/Natural%20Therapies%20Overview%20Report%20Final%20with%20copyright%2011%20March.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626024750/http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/0E9129B3574FCA53CA257BF0001ACD11/$File/Natural%20Therapies%20Overview%20Report%20Final%20with%20copyright%2011%20March.pdf |archive-date=26 June 2016 |access-date=12 December 2015 |publisher=Australian Government – Department of Health |df=dmy-all}} | |||
* {{lay source |template=cite web |author=Gavura, S. |date=19 November 2015 |title=Australian review finds no benefit to 17 natural therapies |url=https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/australian-review-finds-no-benefit-to-17-natural-therapies |website=Science-Based Medicine}}</ref> Accordingly, in 2017, the Australian government named Rolfing as a practice that would not qualify for insurance subsidy, to ensure the best use of insurance funds.<ref name="nosubsidy">{{cite journal |title=Homeopathy, naturopathy struck off private insurance list |author=Paola S |date=17 October 2017 |journal=Australian Journal of Pharmacy |url=https://ajp.com.au/news/homeopathy-naturopathy-struck-off-private-insurance-list/}}</ref> A follow-up [[systematic review]] in 2022 confirmed there was no good evidence Rolfing has therapeutic effect and did not recommend a return to insurance subsidy.<ref>{{cite web |format=pdf |vauthors=Sanders S, Scott A, Bakhit M, Michaleff Z, Clark J, Glasziou P |type=Systematic review |year=2022 |title=Rolfing for any indication in humans: a systematic review |publisher=Bond University Institute for Evidence-based Healthcare |url=https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-03/natural-therapies-review-2024-rolfing-evidence-evaluation.pdf}}</ref> | |||
Proponents of Rolfing claim it can be used to alleviate pain.<ref name="Thompson2015">{{cite book|author=Rosemary Thompson|title=Counseling Techniques: Improving Relationships with Others, Ourselves, Our Families, and Our Environment|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l8JzCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA67|year=2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-61441-7|pages=67–}}</ref> However, Rolfing's focus on appropriate "alignment" of structures of the body does not reflect modern science about pain.<ref name="Ernst">{{cite book|last1=Ernst|first1=Edzard|last2=Pittler|first2=Max|last3=Wider|first3=Barbara|title=Complementary Therapies for Pain Management: An Evidence-Based Approach|date=2007|publisher=Elsevier|location=Moseby|isbn=978-0-7234-3400-9|page=150|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M9oES85plfgC&q=complementary+therapies+for+pain+management|access-date=18 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="Moseley2013">{{cite journal|last1=Moseley|first1=G. Lorimer|title=Reconceptualising pain according to modern pain science|journal=Physical Therapy Reviews|volume=12|issue=3|year=2013|pages=169–78|issn=1083-3196|doi=10.1179/108331907X223010|s2cid=4248150}}</ref> | |||
The [[American Cancer Society]] says the deep soft tissue manipulations such as those used in Rolfing are a concern if practiced on people with cancer near tumor sites.<ref name="acs" /> | The [[American Cancer Society]] says the deep soft tissue manipulations such as those used in Rolfing are a concern if practiced on people with cancer near tumor sites.<ref name="acs" /> | ||
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Since Rolf's death, the field of Structural Integration has branched into various schools.<ref name=recipe1/><ref name=Jacobson/> Of these schools, the Rolf Institute is the only one with the use of the trademarked terms "Rolfing" and "Certified Rolfer".<ref name=recipe1/> Other programs of Structural Integration certify "Practitioners of the Rolf Method of Structural Integration" including the Guild for Structural Integration,<ref name= "Claire">{{cite book |last= Claire |first= Thomas |year= 1995 |title= Bodywork: What Type of Massage to Get and How to Make the Most of It |url= https://archive.org/details/bodywork00thom |url-access= registration |publisher= [[William Morrow and Co.]] |pages= [https://archive.org/details/bodywork00thom/page/40 40–56] |isbn= 978-1591202325}}</ref> Hellerwork Structural Integration,<ref name=Levine /><ref name=Knaster /><ref name= "Claire"/> Aston Patterning,<ref name=Knaster /><ref name= "Claire"/> SOMA,<ref name=Knaster /> KMI,<ref name=recipe1/> and a dozen other Structural Integration programs.<ref name=recipe1/> A professional membership organization exists called the International Association of Structural Integration, which has certified practitioners by exam since 2007.<ref name=Jacobson/> | Since Rolf's death, the field of Structural Integration has branched into various schools.<ref name=recipe1/><ref name=Jacobson/> Of these schools, the Rolf Institute is the only one with the use of the trademarked terms "Rolfing" and "Certified Rolfer".<ref name=recipe1/> Other programs of Structural Integration certify "Practitioners of the Rolf Method of Structural Integration" including the Guild for Structural Integration,<ref name= "Claire">{{cite book |last= Claire |first= Thomas |year= 1995 |title= Bodywork: What Type of Massage to Get and How to Make the Most of It |url= https://archive.org/details/bodywork00thom |url-access= registration |publisher= [[William Morrow and Co.]] |pages= [https://archive.org/details/bodywork00thom/page/40 40–56] |isbn= 978-1591202325}}</ref> Hellerwork Structural Integration,<ref name=Levine /><ref name=Knaster /><ref name= "Claire"/> Aston Patterning,<ref name=Knaster /><ref name= "Claire"/> SOMA,<ref name=Knaster /> KMI,<ref name=recipe1/> and a dozen other Structural Integration programs.<ref name=recipe1/> A professional membership organization exists called the International Association of Structural Integration, which has certified practitioners by exam since 2007.<ref name=Jacobson/> | ||
In some states | In the United States, some states including New Hampshire and Nevada, have a separate license for SI.<ref>{{cite web |title=Reflexologists, Structural Integrators, and Asian Bodywork Therapists |url=https://www.oplc.nh.gov/reflexology/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016183830/https://www.oplc.nh.gov/reflexology/index.htm |archive-date=16 October 2020 |publisher=Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, State of New Hampshire |access-date=2 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Applicants: Structural Integration Educational Requirements |url=https://massagetherapy.nv.gov/Applicants/Applicant_Home/ |publisher=Nevada State Board of Massage Therapy |access-date=2 July 2023}}</ref> Internationally, some countries have a Board of Health that regulates bodywork while others don't. Four Canadian provinces require licensure for bodywork practitioners.<ref>{{cite web |title=Massage Therapy License Requirements by State | State Regulations & License Requirements |url=https://www.massagemag.com/laws/ |department=Laws and Legislation |magazine=Massage |access-date=15 February 2021 |date=12 February 2014 }}</ref> Switzerland has separate licensure for complementary therapies including Structural Integration.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.oda-kt.ch/methoden/ |publisher=Organisation der Arbeitswelt KomplementärTherapie OdA KT |access-date=15 February 2021|title=Organisation der Arbeitswelt KomplementärTherapie OdA KT : Methoden der KomplementärTherapie }}</ref> | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
Latest revision as of 07:32, 14 June 2025
Template:Short description Template:Sidebar with collapsible lists
Rolfing (Template:IPAc-en)[1] is a form of alternative medicine originally developed by Ida Rolf (1896–1979) as Structural Integration.[2][3] Rolfing is marketed with unproven claims of various health benefits,[4][5] is recognized as pseudoscience[6] and is generally characterized as quackery.[7] It is based on Rolf's ideas about how the human body's "energy field" can benefit when aligned with the Earth's gravitational field.[8][9]
Rolfing is typically delivered as a series of ten hands-on physical manipulation sessions sometimes called "the recipe". Practitioners combine superficial and deep manual therapy with movement prompts.[10] The process is sometimes painful.[5] The safety of Rolfing has not been confirmed.[11] The principles of Rolfing contradict established medical knowledge,[12] and there is no good evidence Rolfing is effective for the treatment of any health condition.[11]
Conceptual basis
Professor of Complementary Medicine Edzard Ernst has offered this definition: "Rolfing is a system of bodywork invented by Ida Pauline Rolf (1896–1979) employing deep manipulation of the body's soft tissue allegedly to realign and balance the body's myofascial structures."[4] Rolfing is based on the unproven belief that such alignment results in improved movement,[13] breathing,[4][14][15] pain reduction,[4][5] stress reduction,[4][5] and emotional changes.[4][9][13]
Rolf described the body as organized around an axis perpendicular to the earth, pulled downward by gravity, and she believed the function of the body was optimal when it was aligned with that pull. In her view, gravity tends to shorten fascia, leading to disorder of the body's arrangement around its axis and creating imbalance, inefficiency in movement, and pain.[14] Rolfers aim to lengthen the fascia in order to restore the body's arrangement around its axis and facilitate improved movement.[14] Rolf also discussed this in terms of "energy" and said:
Rolfers make a life study of relating bodies and their fields to the earth and its gravity field, and we so organize the body that the gravity field can reinforce the body's energy field. This is our primary concept.[16][9][4]
The manipulation is sometimes referred to as a type of bodywork, or as a type of massage.[3][17][18][15] Some osteopaths were influenced by Rolf,[19] and some of her students became teachers of massage, including one of the founders of myofascial release.[20]
Rolf claimed to have found an association between emotions and the soft tissue: "Rolfing is not primarily a psychotherapeutic approach to the problems of humans, but [...] many people insist on so regarding it. Rolfing is an approach to the personality through the myofascial collagen components of the physical body."[21] She claimed Rolfing could balance the mental and emotional aspects of subjects and that "the amazing psychological changes that appeared in Rolfed individuals were completely unexpected."[21] Rolfers suggest their manipulations can cause the release of painful repressed memories.[22] Rolfers also hold that by manipulating the body they can bring about changes in personality; for example, teaching somebody to walk with confidence will make them a more confident person.[23] The connection between physical structure and psychology has not been proven by scientific studies.[9]
Technique
Rolfing is typically performed in ten sessions, sometimes called "the recipe", which claim to reorganize the body's connective tissues.[2][24][25] The first three sessions focus on superficial tissues, the next four focus on deeper tissues and specifically the pelvis, and the final sessions address the whole body.[10][14][17] A session typically lasts between 60 and 90 minutes. The recipient wears undergarments[22] and moves between the positions of lying on a table, sitting, and standing.[19] Rolfing treatments can be painful and cause soreness.[5]
Effectiveness and reception
Because of its dependence on vitalistic concepts and its unevidenced propositions about the connection between physical manipulation and psychology, Rolfing is classified as a pseudoscience, and is generally seen as quackery.[6][7]
Writing for Science-Based Medicine, lawyer Jann Bellamy writes that in the United States of America the public is inadequately protected from bodywork practices such as Rolfing because of the lack of independent oversight; instead certification is carried out within a "closed loop" system by such bodies as the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.[26]
In 2015 the Australian Government's Department of Health published a review of 17 alternative therapies, including Rolfing, which concluded no clear evidence of effectiveness was found.[11] Accordingly, in 2017, the Australian government named Rolfing as a practice that would not qualify for insurance subsidy, to ensure the best use of insurance funds.[27] A follow-up systematic review in 2022 confirmed there was no good evidence Rolfing has therapeutic effect and did not recommend a return to insurance subsidy.[28]
Proponents of Rolfing claim it can be used to alleviate pain.[29] However, Rolfing's focus on appropriate "alignment" of structures of the body does not reflect modern science about pain.[30][31]
The American Cancer Society says the deep soft tissue manipulations such as those used in Rolfing are a concern if practiced on people with cancer near tumor sites.[5]
In 2010 The New York Times reported that Rolfing was enjoying a "resurgence" following an endorsement from Mehmet Oz on The Oprah Winfrey Show.[32]
In 2019 a taxonomy of "internet scams" identified Rolfing as having been used for deceptive claims about alleviating gastrointestinal problems by "restructuring" muscle tissue.[33]
History
Ida Rolf began working on clients in New York City in the 1940s with the premise that the human structure could be organized "in relation to gravity". She developed structural integration with one of her sons and by the 1950s she was teaching her work across the United States.[34] In the mid-1960s she began teaching at Esalen Institute, where she gathered a loyal following of students and practitioners.[35] Esalen was the epicenter of the Human Potential Movement, allowing Rolf to exchange ideas with many of their leaders, including Fritz Perls.[36][37] Rolf incorporated a number of ideas from other areas including osteopathic manipulation, cranial osteopathy, hatha yoga, and the general semantics of Alfred Korzybski.[38] In 1971 she founded the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration.[39] The school has been based in Boulder, Colorado, since 1972, and as of 2010 included five institutes worldwide.[40]
The field of Structural Integration
Since Rolf's death, the field of Structural Integration has branched into various schools.[2][38] Of these schools, the Rolf Institute is the only one with the use of the trademarked terms "Rolfing" and "Certified Rolfer".[2] Other programs of Structural Integration certify "Practitioners of the Rolf Method of Structural Integration" including the Guild for Structural Integration,[36] Hellerwork Structural Integration,[17][20][36] Aston Patterning,[20][36] SOMA,[20] KMI,[2] and a dozen other Structural Integration programs.[2] A professional membership organization exists called the International Association of Structural Integration, which has certified practitioners by exam since 2007.[38]
In the United States, some states including New Hampshire and Nevada, have a separate license for SI.[41][42] Internationally, some countries have a Board of Health that regulates bodywork while others don't. Four Canadian provinces require licensure for bodywork practitioners.[43] Switzerland has separate licensure for complementary therapies including Structural Integration.[44]
See also
- Pierre Bernard (yogi) – an influence on Rolf[38]
References
Further reading
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External links
- ↑ "Rolfing". Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.
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- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".: "The idea of vital energy... does not correspond to known facts of how the human body operates. Similarly, there is absolutely no support in psychological literature for the idea of traumatic experiences being repressed in the form of muscle memory, and so the basic ideas of Rolfing certainly fall into the category of pseudoscience."
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Note in the US the Rolf Institute is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork as a continuing education provider; see: Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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