Rolfing SI and Cerebral Palsy - Related Studies - European Rolfing® Association e.V.

Preliminary clinical studies have been performed with small samples of patients with cerebral palsy[1], chronic musculoskeletal pain[2,3], impaired balance[4,5], and chronic fatigue syndrome[6]. The outcomes of those studies suggest that Rolfing has positive effects on walking, musculoskeletal pain and associated limitations in joint motion, and on balance. Preliminary research on the underlying therapeutic mechanisms suggests improvements in movement coordination and efficiency[7], sensory processing[8], self-esteem[9], and relaxation[10,11], and reductions in anxiety[12].

References

1. Perry J, Jones MH, Thomas L. Functional evaluation of Rolfing in cerebral palsy. Develop Med Child Neurol 1981; 23(717-29

2. Deutsch J, Derr LL, Judd P, Reuven B. Treatment of chronic pain through the use of Structural Integration (Rolfing). Orthopedic Physical Therapy Clinics of North America 2000; 9(3): 411-27

3. James H, Castaneda L, Miller MM, Findley T. Rolfing structural integration treatment of cervical spine dysfunction. J Bodywork Movement Therapy 2008;

4. Findley T, Quigley K, Maney M, Chaudhry H, Agbaje I. Improvement in balance with Structural Integration (Rolfing): a controlled case series in persons with myofascial pain. (Poster 147) American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, October 9, 2004, Phoenix, Arizona. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004; 85(9): E34

5. Findley T, Quigley K, Maney M, Chaudhry H, Agbaje I. Balance improvement with structural integration (Rolfing) in persons with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. In: T Findley, Schleip R, ed. Fascia Research. Munich: Elsevier GmbH, 2007a: 242-43.

6. Talty C, DeMassi I, Deutsch JE. Structural Integration applied to patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a retrospective chart review. J Orthop Sports Physical Therapy 1998; 27(1): 83

7. Hunt V, Massey WW. Electromyographic evaluation of Structural Integration techniques. Psychoenergetic Systems 1977a; 2(199-210

8. 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 1973; 16(201-19

9. Pratt T. Psychological effects of Structural Integration. Psychological Reports 1974; 35(856

10. Cottingham J, Porges SW, Lyon T. Effects of soft tissue mobilization (Rolfing pelvic lift) on parasympathetic tone in two age groups. J Amer Physical Therapy 1988a; 68(3): 352-56

11. Cottingham J, Porges SW, Richmond K. Shifts in pelvic inclination angle and parasympathetic tone produced by Rolfing soft tissue manipulation. Physical Therapy 1988b; 68(9): 1364-70

12. Weinberg R, Hunt VV. Effects of Structural Integration on state-trait anxiety. J Clinical Psychology 1979; 35(2): 319-22.