How Does Rolfing Work?

Rolfing achieves results by manipulating the body’s connective tissue called fascia. Fascia has been called the “organ of form”, because it surrounds and penetrates our muscles, determining their shape and elasticity. In fact, without fascia, our muscles would have no form at all, and would fall to the ground like hamburger.

Fascia is a gel-sol substance, and therefore has both liquid and solid properties, depending on its level of hydration. Fascia that is more hydrated is flexible, resilient and healthy. Fascia that is more solid is better able to withstand large amounts of mechanical stress, but at the expense of reduced mobility, elasticity and overall health.

The gel-sol nature of fascia allows it to adapt to the stresses placed on the body. Thus, if a particular area receives too much stress through an injury, poor posture or inefficient body mechanics, the fascia thickens and hardens in that area. Although this thickening will initially provide more stability, the fascia will also become less flexible, resilient, and capable of removing toxins. This reinforces the problematic pattern, so that additional stresses are placed on the area, the fascia thickens even more, and so on. Eventually, the person becomes “stuck” in a poor posture or movement pattern, and the inevitable result is restricted movement, loss of ease in the body, and chronic pain and stress.

In general, as we age, our fascia becomes less and less hydrated, and this accounts for the decreases in flexibility and easy movement that we experience as we age. However, Rolfing can help reverse this process, by rehydrating and lengthening fascial tissues that have become hardened and shortened improving posture. Indeed, this is why many people report feeling ten years younger after receiving a ten series of Rolfing.