      
|
|
Research and Endorsements Many scientific studies have been performed to confirm the effectiveness of the Rolfing method of bodywork. The following is a summary of some major findings: Ida Rolf performed a study entitled Project Breakthrough in 1963 in which she discovered that children that had received Rolfing work exhibited better muscle tone, better alignment, and improved social responsiveness. Dr. Valerie D. Hunt and Dr. Wayne W. Massey of the UCLA Department of Kinesiology conducted a five-year study finishing in 1977 entitled A Study of Structural Integration from Neuromuscular, Energy Field and Emotional Approaches. They found the following in subjects that had received Rolfing:
Other studies include: Structural Integration, Dr. Ida Rolf, Rockefeller Institute, N.Y., 1918 - 1927 Stress, Stimulus Intensity Control, and the Structural Integration Technique, Silverman, Rappaport & Hopkins, (abstract: Confinia Psychiatrica, Karger Publisher, Switzerland, 1973) Effects of Structural Integration On Strait-Trait Anxiety, Robert Wagner and Valerie Hunt, UCLA, 1976, (abstract : Journal of Clinical Psychology, Vol. 35, No.2, USA, April 1979) Electromyographic Evaluation of Structural Integration Techniques, Dr. Valerie Hunt and Wayne Massey, UCLA, (abstract: Psychoenergetic Systems, Gordon & Breach Science Pub., U.K., 1977) Functional Evaluation of Rolfing in Cerebral Palsy, Perry, Jones & Thomas, (abstract : Developmental Med. Child. Neurol. 1981, 23) Effects Of Soft Tissue Mobilization on Parasympathetic Tone in Two Age Groups, J. Cottingham, Frances Nelson Health Center, Illinois, 1987, (abstract : The Journal of American Physical Therapy Assn., Vol. 68, 352-356, 1988) Shifts in Pelvic Inclination Angle and Parasympathetic Tone Produced by Rolfing Soft Tissue Manipulation, J. Cottingham, Frances Nelson Health Center, Illinois, (abstract : The Journal of American Physical Therapy Assn., Vol. 68, 1364-1370, 1988) Biomechanical Structuring For Figure Skating, preliminary pilot study report for the U.S. Figure Skating Association, Helen James, Katharine Robertson, and Neal Powers, Olympic Training Center Camp, CO, 1988 Effects of Soft Tissue Mobilization On Pelvic Inclination Angle, Lumbar lordisis, and Parasympathetic Tone: Implications for Treatment of Disabilities Associated with Lumbar Degenerative Joint Disease, Cottingham JT. 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 A Three-Paradigm Treatment Model Using Soft Tissue Mobilization and Guided Movement-Awareness Techniques For Patients With Chronic Back Pain: A Case Study, J. Cottingham and J. Maitland, The Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy, Vol.26, No.3, Sept.1997 Integrating Manual and Movement Therapy With Philosophical Counseling For Treatment of A Patient With Amyptrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Case Study That Explores The Principles Of Holistic Intervention, J. Cottingham, M.S., P.T. and J. Maitland, Ph.D., Alternative Therapies In Health and Medicine, Winter/Spring 2000 Endorsements "Undertaking a series of Rolfing with Craig went a long way toward alleviating 30 years of chronic lower back and hip pain." -C.B. Forbess, Education Administrator "After receiving several Rolfing sessions from Craig, I feel like I have a new body." - D. Donahue, Construction Superintendent "There is one reason to take Rolfing seriously: it works. Not only can it dramatically change people's bodies, it can transform their lives as well." -Larry Dossey, M.D., Best-Selling Author of Reinventing Medicine: Beyond Mind-Body to a New Era of Healing "A wonderful benefit I had right after the first Rolfing session was a sense of lightness, particularly on the ice. I felt very compact and totally in control. I had increased energy, better balance, and extra agility." -Brian Orser, Olympic Figure Skater "Rolfing is a powerful tool, and a very important tool for me to have for my patients. People who have suffered from chronic pain for 20 years will be amazed at how their pain goes away." -Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, Board-Certified Internist and Head of a Fibromyalgia Research Clinic in Annapolis, MD "Rolfing has been stretching out muscle fibers that haven’t been stretched for 30 years. When I started, my muscle fibers felt like petrified rock. Now they are getting progressively softer, more supple and gaining elasticity." -Leon Fleisher, Concert Pianist Jim Mongomery, MD, an orthopedic surgeon in Dallas, Texas, often refers his clients to Rolfing. "...People with shoulder and elbow problems, with scar tissue resulting from injury or surgery, chronic hamstring problems, low back and cervical spine problems. People that have had chronic problems that have not been helped by anything else. All those people can be helped with Rolfing." Karlis Ullis, MD, (team physician for 1992 summer Olympics), Sports Medicine and Anti-Aging Medical Group in Santa Monica, CA: "Athletes always need help with chronic injuries, muscular strains and overuse. The Olympic athletes wouldn't have as many injuries if they had appropriate soft tissue therapy. Rolfing is valuable for athletes in high level competition to address the build up of scar tissue and disarrangement of myofascial tissue that occurs from training, competition and injury." Dr. Ullis has provided medical expertise to athletes at five Olympic games, including Lillehammer, Albertville, and Barcelona, in the fields of figure skating, cross country skiing, bobsleigh, biathlon, track and field and other sports. "The Rolfer works on fascia which is the thin sheath of white tissue that covers the musculature. By manipulating the fascia you manipulate the musculature, and in turn the skeletal structure, so you bring alignment to the body... It can be very healing, cleansing and balancing for the body." -Levar Burton on Oprah - July 7, 1996 "My
wife recommended Rolfing highly ... The first of ten sessions fixed
my back pain." - Willie Nelson as reported the New York Times,
Feb. 23, 1995. Home •
What Is Rolfing? • Craniosacral
Therapy
Copyright © 2002, 2003, Craig Ellis
|