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Writer's pictureElias Limberopoulos
Aug 24, 202311 min read

The Science Behind Rolfing®: How It Affects Fascia and Connective Tissues

Updated: Dec 18, 2024


Rolfing® Structural Integration is a holistic system of bodywork that has gained popularity for its ability to transform the body's structure, alleviate pain, and improve overall well-being. At the heart of Rolfing's success lies a profound understanding of fascia and connective tissues. In this article, we delve into the science behind Rolfing and how it influences these critical components of the human body.

Understanding Fascia and Connective Tissues

Fascia is a continuous web of connective tissue that surrounds and permeates every muscle, organ, nerve, and blood vessel in our bodies. It provides support, structure, and protection, ensuring that different parts of our body can function together as a whole.

Connective tissues, including fascia, consist primarily of collagen, elastin, and ground substance. Collagen provides strength, elastin provides flexibility, and ground substance is a gel-like substance that surrounds and nourishes cells within the connective tissue.

Fascia is not only a physical structure but also a sensory organ, transmitting information about movement and tension to the brain. Its role in posture, movement, and overall well-being is profound.

How Rolfing Affects Fascia and Connective Tissues

Rolfing is designed to create positive changes in the fascia and connective tissues, thereby improving posture, reducing pain, and enhancing overall mobility and vitality. Here's how Rolfing works on a scientific level:

  1. Release of Tension: Over time, due to injuries, poor posture, or emotional stress, fascia can become tense and constricted. Rolfing employs manual manipulation and pressure to release these restrictions, allowing the fascia to regain its natural elasticity.

  2. Rehydration: Fascia can become dehydrated and lose its suppleness. Rolfing helps rehydrate the fascia by improving circulation and restoring the flow of fluids through the connective tissues.

  3. Reorganization: Rolfing systematically addresses the body's structure, working with layers of fascia to create better alignment. This reorganization helps to alleviate strain on muscles and joints, leading to improved posture and movement.

  4. Neurological Effects: Rolfing affects the nervous system, reducing the stress response and improving proprioception—the body's awareness of its position in space. This results in better coordination and balance.

  5. Emotional Release: Fascia stores emotional tension, and Rolfing's holistic approach can lead to emotional release and a sense of psychological well-being.

The Scientific Evidence

While the anecdotal evidence supporting Rolfing's effectiveness is extensive, scientific research on the practice is ongoing. Dr. Rolf was truly a pioneer and catalyst to a lot of what is known today about fascia decades before scientific minds began to gather for the First International Fascia Research Congress in 2007. Details of the research congress meetings are detailed much further below.


Rolfing® SI Research References - including Walking, Pain, Motion, and Balance

Preliminary clinical studies have been performed with small samples of patients with cerebral palsy, chronic musculoskeletal pain, impaired balance, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The outcomes of those studies suggest that Rolfing SI may have positive effects on walking, musculoskeletal pain, and associated limitations in joint motion, and on balance. Preliminary research on the underlying therapeutic mechanisms suggests improvements in movement coordination and efficiency, sensory processing, self-esteem, relaxation, and reductions in anxiety.

 

References

  1. Ball TM. Structural Integration-based fascial release efficacy in systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE): two case studies. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2011 April; 15(2): 217:25.

  2. H. Baur, H. Gatterer, B. Hotter, and M. Kopp, “Influence of structural integration and fascial fitness on body image and the perception of back pain.,” J. Phys. Ther. Sci., vol. 29, no. 6, pp. 1010–1013, Jun. 2017.

  3. Cottingham J., Porges SW, Richmond K. Shifts in pelvic inclination angle and parasympathetic tone produced by Rolfing soft tissue manipulation. Physical Therapy 68:1364-1370, 1988.

  4. Cottingham J, Porges SW, Lyon T. Effects of soft tissue mobilization (Rolfing pelvic lift) on parasympathetic tone in two age groups. J Amer Physical Therapy 1988a; 68(3): 352-56

  5. Cottingham J, Maitland J. Three-paradigm treatment model using soft tissue mobilization and guided movement-awareness techniques for patients with chronic low back pain: A case study. The Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy 26(3):155-167, Sept 1997.

  6. Deutsch JE, Judd P, Demassi I. Structural Integration applied to patients with a primary neurologic diagnosis: two case studies. Neurology Report 21(5):161-62, 1997.

  7. Deutsch JE, Derr LL, Judd P, et al. Treatment of chronic pain through the use of Structural Integration (Rolfing). Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Clinics of North America 9(3):411-425, 2000.

  8. Findley TW, Quigley K, Maney M, Chaudhry H, Agbaje I. Improvement in balance with Structural Integration (Rolfing): A controlled case series in persons with myofascial pain. American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, October 9, 2004, Phoenix Arizona. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 85(9):e34, Sep 2004.

  9. Findley T, Quigley K, Maney M, Chaudhry H, Agbaje I. Balance improvement with structural integration (Rolfing) in persons with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. In: T Findley, Schleip R, ed. Fascia: The Tensional Network of the Human Body. Munich: Elsevier GmbH, 2007a: 242-43.

  10. Hansen A, Price K, Feldman H. Myofascial Structural Integration: A Promising Complementary Therapy for Young Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsey. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine. 17(2):131-135, April 2012.

  11. Hansen AB, Price KS, Loi EC, Buysse CA, Jaramillo TM, Pico EL, Feldman HM.Gait Changes Following Myofascial Structural Integration (Rolfing) Observed in Two Children with Cerebral PalsyJournal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine. 2014 Oct;19(4):297-300.

  12. Hunt V, Massey W. Electromyographic evaluation of Structural Integration techniques. Psychoenergetic Systems 2:199-210, 1977.

  13. Jacobson E, Meleger A, Bonato P, Wayne P, Langevin H, Kaptchuk T, Davis R. Structural Integration as an Adjunct to Outpatient Rehabilitation for Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Pilot Clinical Trial. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2015:813418, 2015.

  14. Jacobson E. Structural Integration: an alternative method of manual therapy and sensorimotor education. J Altern Complment Med. 17(10):891-99, Oct 2011.

  15. Jacobson E. Structural Integration: origin and development. J Altern Complement Med. 17(9):775-80, Sep 2011.

  16. James H, Castaneda L, Miller ME, Findley T. Rolfing structural integration treatment of cervical spine dysfunction. J Bodywork Movement Therapy 2009 Jul;13(3):229-38

  17. Kerr H. Urethral stent displacement associated with deep massage. Western Medical Journal 96(12):57-58, 1997

  18. Loi, Elizabeth C., Buysse CA, Price KS, Jaramillo TM, Pico EL, Hansen AB and Feldman HM. Myofascial structural integration therapy on gross motor function and gait of young children with spastic cerebral palsy: a randomized trial. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fped.2015.00074 Frontiers in Pediatrics, Vol 3, Article 74. 2015.

  19. Perry J, Jones MH, Thomas L. Functional evaluation of Rolfing in cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 23(6):717-729, 1981Medicine and Child Neurology 23(6):717-729, 1981.

  20. Potter C. Children with cerebral palsy. Physical Therapy Forum (Western Edition) June 18, 1986.

  21. Pratt TC. Psychological effects of structural integration. Psychological Reports 35(2):856, Oct 1974.

  22. Silverman J, Rappaport M, Hopkins HK, Ellman G, Hubbard R, Belleza T, Baldwin T, Griffin R, Kling R. Stress, stimulus intensity control, and the structural integration technique. Confinia Psychiatrica 16(3):201-19, 1973.

  23. Silverman J, Rappaport M, Hopkins HK, Ellman G, Hubbard R, Belleza T, Baldwin T, Griffin R, Kling R. Stress, stimulus intensity control, and the Structural Integration technique. Confinia Psychiatrica 1973; 16(201-19)

  24. Solit, M. A study in structural dynamics. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 62(30-40), 1962

  25. Stall P, Teixeira MJ. Fibromyalgia syndrome treated with the structural integration Rolfing® method. Rev Dor. São Paulo, 15(4):248-52, Oct-Dec 2014.

  26. Stall P. Hosomi JK, Faelli CYP, Pai HJ, Teixeira MJ and Marchiori PE. Effects of structural integration Rolfing® method and acupuncture on fibromyalgia. Rev Dor. São Paulo, 2015 apr-jun;16(2):96-101

  27. Talty CM, DeMasi I, Deutsch JE. Structural integration applied to patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a retrospective chart review. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy 27(1):83, 1998.

  28. Weinberg RS, Hunt VV. Effects of structural integration on state-trait anxiety. Journal of Clinical Psychology 35(2), April 1979.

Research and Reviews Related to Rolfing SI

  1. Bouffard NA, Cutonreo KR, Badger GJ, White SL, Buttolph TR, Ehrlich HP, Stevens-Tuttle D and Langevin HM. Tissue Stretch Decreases Soluble  TGF-b1 and Type-1 Procollagen in Mouse Subcutaneous Connective Tissue: Evidence From Ex Vivo and In Vivo Models. J Cellular Physiology, DOI 10.1002/JCP, 389-395. 2007.

  2. Chaudhry HR, Schleip R, Ji Z, Bukiet B, Maney M, Findley TW. Three dimensional mathematical model for deformation of human fascia in manual therapy. Journal of American Osteopathic Association 108: 379-390, Aug 2008

  3. Chaudhry H, Huang C, Schleip R, Ji Z, Bukiet B, Findley T. Viscoelastic behavior of human fasciae under extension in manual therapy. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 11(2), Apr 2007.

  4. Langevin HM, Fox J, Koptiuch C, et al. Reduced thoracolumbar fascia shear strain in human chronic low back pain. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 12:203, 2011.

  5. Langevin HM, Rizzo D, Fox J, et al. Dynamic morphometric characterization of local connective tissue network structure in humans using ultrasound. BMC Systems Biology 1:25, 2007.

  6. Langevin HM, Sherman K. Pathophysiological model for chronic low back pain integrating connective tissue and nervous system mechanisms. Medical Hypotheses 68:74-80, 2007.

  7. Langevin HM, Stevens-Tuttle D, Fox J, et al. Ultrasound evidence of altered lumbar connective tissue structure in human subjects with chronic low back pain. BMC Systems Biology 10:151, 2009.

  8. Leask A, Abraham DJ. TGF-beta signaling and the fibrotic response. FASEB J 187(7):816-27, 2004.

  9. Panjabi M. A hypothesis of chronic back pain: ligament subfailure injuries lead to muscle control dysfunction. European Spine Journal 15(5):668-76, 2006. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 10:151, 2009.

  10. Porges SW. Vagal tone: A physiologic marker of stress vulnerability. Pediatrics 90(3):498-504, Sep 1992.

  11. Schleip R, Findley T, Chaitow L, Huijing P., Eds. Fascia: The Tensional Netowrk of the Human Body. Edinburgh, New York: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevire, 2012.

  12. Schleip R, Klingler W, Lehmann-Horn F. Active fascial contractility: Fascia may be able to contract in a smooth muscle-like manner and thereby influence musculoskeletal dynamics. Medical Hypotheses 65(2):273-277, 2005.

  13. Schleip R, Naylor IL, Ursu D, Melzer W, Zorn A, Wilke HJ, Lehmann-Horn F, Klingler W. Passive muscle stiffness may be influenced by active contractility of intramuscular connective tissue. Medical Hypotheses 66(1):66-71, 2006.

  14. Schleip, R Lehmann-Horn F, Klinger W. Letter to the editor concerning: "A hypothesis of chronic back pain: ligament subfailure injuries lead to muscle control dysfunction." (M. Panjabi). European Spine Journal, 2007.

  15. Schleip R, Zorn A, Lehmann-Horn F, Klinger W. Active fascial contractility: an in vitro mechanographic investigation. In Fascia research - basic science and implications for conventional and complementary health care. (TW Findley and R Schleip (eds) Munich: Elsevier Science, p. 82, 2007.

  16. Threlkeld AJ. The effects of manual therapy on connective tissue. Physical Therapy 72(12):893-902, 1992.

  17. Vleeming A, Pool-Goudzwaard AL, Stoeckart R, Van Wingerden JP, Snijders CJ. The posterior layer of the thoracolumbar fascia. Its function in load transfer from spine to legs. Spine 20(7):753-58, 1995.

  18. Weinberg RS, Hunt VV. Interrelationships between anxiety, motor behavior and electromyography. Journal of Motor Behavior 8(3) 219-224, 1976.


Current Research related to Structural Integration and Rolfing®


Structural Integration and Back Pain

Structural Integration as an Adjunct to Outpatient Rehabilitation for Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Pilot Clinical Trial.


Rolfing® SI and Cerebral Palsy

Myofascial structural integration therapy on gross motor function and gait of young children with spastic cerebral palsy

Rolfing® SI and Fibromyalgia

Clinical trials of Rolfing for fibromyalgia conducted by Paula Stal and summarized by Eric Jacobson.


The first International Fascia Research Congress was held at Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA, USA on October 4-5, 2007. It was the first international conference dedicated to fascia in all its forms and functions. This conference was intended to be a catalyst. The emphasis and centerpiece was the presentation of the latest and best scientific fascia research for clinical professionals in whose specialties the human fasciae are central in both theory and practice. Many of the scientists attending had little experience with clinical practice and clinicians were often unfamiliar with each other's work. At this landmark event professionals from the separate domains of basic research and clinical practice had an unprecedented opportunity to learn from one another and gain insights to inform and enrich their respective areas of work and lead to new areas of scientific inquiry and improvements in applied methods. More information on this conference can be found at fasciaresearchsociety.org/2007.

Article from SCIENCE Magazine on the First Congress:

Science Magazine, "the world’s leading journal of original scientific research, global news, and commentary," has an excellent write-up about the First International Fascia Research Congress in its November 23, 2007 issue (vol. 318, pp. 1234-5).Biomedical Research; "Cell Biology Meets Rolfing" and From Rolfer to Researcher


The article by David Grimm is titled "Cell Biology Meets Rolfing: A diverse group of researchers wants to create a new discipline from scratch by bringing together experts in fascia and deep-tissue massage."


A few points from the article:

"The meeting, held here [in Boston] last month, would be the first dedicated to the soft part of the body’s connective tissue system — an important but medically neglected organ. It would bring together top scientists from fields as diverse as cell biology and biophysics, but it would also include alternative medicine practitioners"


This conference was the first venture within the field of the human fasciae to bring together scientists and clinicians and it was not at all certain that getting these two diverse groups together would satisfy everyone or produce constructive collaboration. Quoting Thomas Findley, MD Ph.D., the Executive Director of the conference, "Practitioners want to know the science behind what they’re doingand scientists want to see clinical applications of their work." Partap Khalsa, DC Ph.D., program officer with the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) stated, "You need people who can do good basic science and clinicians who can inform them about their experiencesIt’s the only way to advance the field."


By the end of the second day, it was obvious there was a meeting of minds. So much so that a leading researcher in biomechanics, Peter Huijing, Ph.D., of Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam has agreed to help organize the next conference in Amsterdam in 2009. "Huijing says he also learned new things from the alternative therapists — and he found that he had something to teach them as well."It should be noted that Dr. Huijing, himself, was originally skeptical of the feasibility and value of such collaboration. "Huijing plans to give a larger spotlight to practitioners and to explore even more of the basic science. He’s adding days, and he’s reserved an auditorium for 1000 people — twice the size of the room at this year’s event. ‘I have a feeling it could be very big,’ he said."


Second International Fascia Research Congress

The second conference at Vrije Universiteit, held October 27-30, 2009, continued the high level of scientific presentations set in the first conference. The Amsterdam, Netherlands Congress was a four-day schedule followed by an additional day of post-conference clinical workshops. This added new dimensions – presentation of the clinical practices, both in lecture/demonstrations and in small group sessions, and integration with academic faculty conducting rehabilitation research. For complete details go to fasciaresearchsociety.org/2009.


Third International Fascia Research Congress

The third conference took place in Vancouver, BC, Canada on March 28-30, 2012. This sold-out conference offered presentations on the theme: "Fascia: What do we notice, What do we know? Continuing the Scientist/Clinician Dialogue.". Complete details can be found at fasciaresearchsociety.org/2012.


Fourth International Fascia Research Congress

The fourth conference was September 18-20, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency in Reston, Virginia near Washington D.C. The theme was "Issues in Fascia Research: A critical examination for the scientist and clinician. What do you want and need to know – and how do you get it?" Complete details can be found at fasciaresearchsociety.org/2015


Fifth International Fascia Research Congress

The Fifth International Fascia Research Congress was held in Berlin, Germany November 14-15, 2018. In partnership with the European Rolfing® Association, the Rolf Institute® served as a Platinum Sponsor.

The Rolf Institute continues to take a leadership role in providing support for these events. This is a very exciting opportunity and we thank you for this wonderful collaboration. Complete details can be found at fasciaresearchsociety.org/2018.


Sixth International Fascia Research Congress

The Sixth International Fascia Research Congress (FRC) was held in Montreal, Quebec from September 10 – 14, 2022. The conference theme was "Critical Evaluation: Science – Translation – Practice", focusing on the role of critical evaluation and peer review from the standards in scientific research to the assertions made by clinicians.

Board Members Libby Eason and Dan Somers were in attendance as representatives from DIRI. For more information on the congress, visit fasciaresearchsociety.org/2022.


Resources for Practitioners & Scientists

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