In her 1963 study, “Project Breakthrough”, Ida Rolf found that children who 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 completed a five-year controlled study in 1977, entitled, “A study of structural integration from neuromuscular, energy field and emotional approaches”. They found that subjects who had received Rolfing exhibited:

1.Smoother, larger, and less constrained extraneous movements
2.Greater movement efficiency and improved neuromuscular balance
3.More dynamic and energetic body movements, with less fatigue
4.A more erect carriage with less obvious strain to maintain held positions
5.Increased emotional calmness, a greater sense of well being, and decreased anxiety.

More recent research findings include the positive effects of Rolfing on the autonomic nervous system (published in The Journal of the American Physical Therapy Association, Mar. 1988) and benefits of Rolfing for chronic back pain (The Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy, Sept.1997).

Abstracts for many of these papers may be purchased directly from the Rolf Institute (800.530.8875).

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