Rolfing
Rolfingis a therapy system created by the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration (also referred to as "RISI"), founded by Ida Pauline Rolfin 1971. The Institute states that Rolfing is a "holistic system of soft tissue manipulation and movement education that organize(s) the whole body ingravity". Rolfing is essentially identical toStructural Integration, whereby manipulation of the musclefasciaeis believed to yield therapeutic benefits, including that clients stand straighter, gain height and move better, through the correction of soft tissue fixations or dystonia.
Rolfing Structural Integration is generally regarded as safe. However, because it involves deep tissue manipulation, pregnant women and people with skeletal, vascular, or clot disorders should consult a health care provider before undertaking Rolfing sessions.
The focus on manipulating fascia is part of what distinguishes it from chiropractics, which deals with bones, and from therapeutic massages, which works on muscles.
That also explains why Rolfing has a reputation for being aggressive, even painful at times. Fascia is stubborn material, particularly if it is marked by knots andscartissue. Rolfers gouge with knuckles and knead with fists, contort limbs and lean into elbows to loosen tendons and ligaments. Patients, meanwhile, need the fortitude to relax and take it during the hourlong sessions.
Yoga is in many ways analogous to Rolfing because it takes tendons and it stretches them into a position of discomfort,
Rolfing is an extreme form of deep tissue massage and is at the fringes of alternative 'hands on' massage systems.