Research on Rolfing®®
- Rolfing Research & References
Click here for a bibliography on the latest Rolfing and Rolfing related research with links to articles. - Resources for Rolfing Practitioners & Scientists
- Contact Us about Research
The Second International Fascia Research Congress
Vrije Universiteit
October 27-30, 2009 in Amsterdam, Netherlands
The second conference at Vrije Universiteit continued the high level of scientific presentations set in the first conference. The Amsterdam 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. Vrije University has a main auditorium seating 900 and numerous smaller rooms for concurrent sessions.For complete details and registration go to www.fasciacongress.org/2009
SCIENCE Magazine Article Features the
2007 First International Fascia Research Congress
Science Magazine, "the world’s leading journal of original scientific research, global news, and commentary," has an excellent write up about the recent 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 a 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 PhD, the Executive Director of the conference, "Practitioners want to know the science behind what they’re doing…and scientists want to see clinical applications of their work." Partap Khalsa, DC PhD, 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 experiences…It’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, PhD, 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."
SPECIAL REMINDER…
The proceedings book "Fascia Research" can be ordered online at:
http://www.fascia2007.com/proceedings-book-order.htm
A Fascia Congress DVD recording is also now available at
http://www.fascia2007.com/dvd-recording-order.htm
RISI Research Committee
The RISI Research Committee supports and guides Rolfing Structural Integration research. Many of its members are actively involved in research projects on Rolfing, its effects, and underlying mechanisms.
Valerie Berg, Rolf Institute® Faculty, Certified Advanced Rolfer™, Rolf Movement® Practitioner
vberg03@comcast.net
Stephan Evanko, PhD, Certified Rolfer
www.rolfingseattle.com/
Eric Jacobsen, PhD, Certified Advanced Rolfer
www.eric-jacobson.com
Robert Schleip, PhD, Advanced Rolfer
www.somatics.de
Resources for Practitioners & Scientists
- Robert Schleip, PhD and Rolf Institute faculty, offers the latest research on fascia and its implications for Rolfing at www.fasciaresearch.com and www.somatics.de
- Gil Hedley has reference materials that explore the human form through anatomy education and in the laboratory at www.integralanatomy.com and www.somanautics.com
- Tom Myers, Certified Rolfer, offers reference tools for structural integrators and bodywork practitioners in his "Anatomy Trains" program. Learn about the role of connective tissues and the fascial network in the human body at www.anatomytrains.net
Contact Us for:
- Join Rolfing Research Email List … Receive notices of the latest research news, information, and activities.
- More Research Information on Rolfing Structural Integration
- Make a Financial Contribution to Research
For the purpose of conducting basic and applied research, the RISI has set up the IPR Research Foundation. Money donated to the RISI for these purposes will be passed on to the Foundation. The RISI focuses on research literacy of its graduates by including research in its curriculum. Contributions to support this are appreciated.
- Resources for MS and PhD Candidates Interested in Research
- Journalist Inquiries about Research
Please contact:
Valerie Berg, Rolf Institute Faculty, Certified Advanced Rolfer, Rolf Movement Practitioner
vberg03@comcast.net
Research on Rolfing
Cottingham J. Shifts in pelvic inclination angle and parasympathetic tone produced by Rolfing soft tissue manipulation. Physical Therapy 68:1364-1370, 1988.
Cottingham J, Porges SW, Lyon T. Effects of soft tissue mobilization (Rolfing pelvic lift) on parasympathetic tone in two age groups. Physical Therapy 68:352-356, 1988.
Cottingham JT. Effects of soft tissue mobilization on pelvic inclination angle, lumbar lordosis, and parasympathetic tone: Implications for treatment of disabilities associated with lumbar degenerative joint disease. Public testimony presentation to the National Center of Medical Rehabilitation Research of the National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD; March 19, 1992. Rolf Lines 20(2):42-45, 1992.
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.
Cottingham J, Maitland J. Integrating manual and movement therapy with philosophical counseling for treatment of a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A case study that explores the principles of holistic intervention. Alternative Therapies In Health and Medicine 6(2): 128,120-7, Mar 2000.
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.
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.
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.
Hunt VV, Massey W, Weinberg R, Bruyere R, Hahn PM. study of Structural Integration from neuromuscular, energy field and emotional approaches. Research report submitted to the Rolf Institute. UCLA Dept. of Kinesiology. Boulder, CO: Rolf Institute for Structural Integration. 1977.
Hunt V, Massey W. Electromyographic evaluation of Structural Integration techniques. Psychoenergetic Systems 2:199-210, 1977.
Kerr H. Ureteral stent displacement associated with deep massage. Western Medical Journal 96(12):57-58. 1997
Perry J, Jones MH, Thomas L. Functional evaluation of Rolfing in cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 23(6):717-729, 1981.
Potter C. Children with cerebral palsy. Physical Therapy Forum (Western Edition) June 18, 1986
Pratt TC. Psychological effects of structural integration. Psychological Reports 35(2):856, Oct 1974.
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.
Solit, M. A study in structural dynamics. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 62(30-40). 1962
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.
Weinberg RS, Hunt VV. Effects of structural integration on state-trait anxiety. Journal of Clinical Psychology 35(2), April 1979.
Descriptive articles, hypotheses and reviews:
Bernau-Eigen M. Rolfing: A somatic approach to the integration of human structures. Nurse Practitioner Forum 9(4):235-42, Dec 1998.
Deutsch JE, Judd P, Demassi I. Structural Integration (Rolfing). In Complementary Therapies and Wellness J. Carlson (ed) Upper saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall. 2003.
Deutsch JE. Derr LL, Judd P, et al. The Ida Rolf method of Structural Integration. In Complementary Therapies in Rehabilitation: Evidence of Efficacy in Therapy. C. Davis (ed). SLACK. 2004.
Froment Y. Therapeutic renewal: Rolfing or structural integration. Krankenpfl Soins Infirm 77(6):68-9, Jun 1984 (Article in French).
Jacobson E. "Getting Rolfed": Structural bodywork, biomechanics and embodiment. In Healing by Hand: Bonesetting and Manual Medicine in Global Perspective. Oths KS and Servando ZH (eds) Walnut Creek, CA: Altamira Press. 2004.
Jones TA. Rolfing. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America Journal 15(4): 799-809, Nov 2004.
Myers T. Structural Integration - developments in Ida Rolf's 'recipe' - I. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 8:131-42. 2004.
Myers T. Structural Integration - developments in Ida Rolf's 'recipe' - part II. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 8:189-98. 2004
Myers T. Structural Integration - developments in Ida Rolf's 'recipe' - part III. An alternative form. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 8:249-64. 2004
Oschman JL. Structural Integration (Rolfing), osteopathic, chiropractric, Feldenkrais, Alexander, myofascial realease, and related methods. In Energy Medicine: The Scientific Basis. JL Oshman (ed). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingston. 2000.
Rolf IP. Structural Integration. Journal of the Institute of Comparative Study of History Philosophical Sciences 1(1):3-19, 1963.
Rolf IP. Structural integration . A contribution to the understanding of stress. Confinia Psychiatrica 16(2):69-79, 1973.
Schleip R. Fascial plasticity – a new neurobiological explanation: Part 1. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 7(1):11-19, 2003.
Schleip R. Fascial plasticity – a new neurobiological explanation: Part 2. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 7(2):104-116, 2003.
Travazich J. Rolfing, Hellerwork and Soma. In Complementary Therapies in Rehabilitation. Thorofare NJ, Lack, Inc. 1997.
Research and reviews related to Rolfing
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 in press
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
Langevin HM, Sherman K. Pathophysiological model for chronic low back pain integrating connective tissue and nervous system mechanisms. Medical Hypotheses 68:74-80, 2007
Leask AD. TGF-beta signaling and the fibrotic response. FASEB J 187(7):816-27, 2004
Panjabi M. A hypothesis of chronic back pain: ligament subfailure injuries lead to muscle control dysfunction. European Spine Journal 15(5):668-76, 2006
Porges SW. Vagal tone: A physiologic marker of stress vulnerability. Pediatrics 90(3):498-504, Sep 1992
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
Schleip R, Klinger W, Lehmann-Horn F. Active fascial contractility: Fascia is able to contract and relax in a smooth muscle like manner and thereby influence biomechanical behavior. Acta Physiological 186 (Suppl 1)247, 2006
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
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
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
Threlkeld AJ. The effects of manual therapy on connective tissue. Physical Therapy 72(12):893-902, 1992
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
Weinberg RS, Hunt VV. Interrelationships between anxiety, motor behavior and electromyography. Journal of Motor Behavior 8(3) 219-224, 1976
