Rolfing

Rolfing is a trademarked term for an alternative medicine treatment. It is a combination of deep tissue massage and a so-called body work, however, contradicts the theoretical basis of today's anatomy knowledge.

Theory

The method was developed in the 1950s by the American biochemist Ida Rolf ( 1896-1979 ), in their work initially dealt with the chemotherapy, before she began to devote themselves of alternative medicine, including homeopathy. It divided the body into different sections, in a sense, like building blocks are at optimum attitude in a tower in the solder each other. Be one of those blocks moved, the whole body am upset.

Ida Rolf saw faulty postures as the cause of many diseases. Poor posture meant that more energy was needed as needed to keep the body upright. This energy lacks the body to defend themselves against disease. They also expressed the view that mental disorders can be treated also with the method, since mental blockages would also put in a wrong posture. By correcting the posture also mental problems let influence. According to Ida Rolf prolonged stress influences the structure of the connective tissue, so that shorten the fibers, would negatively affect the body statics. She believed that the connective tissue of the body posture is more important than the muscles and the spine.

Application

According to the user how a massage first " sticky " connective tissue solved stretched reductions in tissue and hardened bodies are made smooth. What is desired is a more economical quality of movement, which protects joints and back. Furthermore, motion sequences are involved and trained guides on more favorable posture and movement patterns in everyday life.

Rolfing is often offered in a series of ten successive building sessions that are spread over an average period of three months. Each session lasts 50 to 90 minutes. The first sessions begin with the intense and painful massage to relax before exercises to follow posture.

Areas of application

The most common symptoms are back pain, disc problems, arthritis, postural discomfort after accidents or surgery, chronic headaches, tension of the muscles and psychosomatic complaints.

Rolfing may not be used in diseases of the heart, acute disc herniation, inflammatory connective tissue diseases, acute stroke, taking anticoagulant medications, osteoporosis, arthritis, paralysis and tumors.

It can also lead to considerable complications with implants. 1997 Kerr described the case of a woman who was due to a Harnleiterverschlusses implanted by kidney stones known as a stent in the urinary tract, to ensure their consistency. After the patient had undergone Rolfing therapy, developed severe pain. It turned out that the stent had slipped through the exercises.

Criticism

The effectiveness of the Rolfings there is no scientific evidence, but only opinions and smaller clinical trials that do not have sufficient explanatory power ..

The theoretical foundations correspond, according to a statement by the AOK from the year 2009 is not the current knowledge of the anatomy.

The AOK wrote in 2009 about Rolfing: " The theoretical foundations of Rolfings contradict the anatomical knowledge of the structure of the human body. In addition, the postulated effects have so far not by the users of the method are credible occupied " In January 2013, the AOK writes to Rolfing ". Previously, the method has remained the scientific evidence guilty that they actually can correct bad posture permanently or even to solve mental suffering understands. Unproven is also the assumption that Bindegewebsverhärtungen and shortened tendons come as the sole cause of physical ailments in question. ".

The Barmer GEK is also due to the lack of action evidence states, " in the Rolfing treatment is it is not a recognized remedy within the meaning of the remedies directive, which can be prescribed under the contractual medical care and provided by licensed physical therapists at the expense of the statutory health insurance".

As before, the costs due to the lack of effective detection of the statutory health insurance usually are not accepted, and the Rolfing is not in the so-called hoof - directory, a list of accredited naturopathic, which is often used by private health insurance as a basis, listed

In addition, the impression is given that it is a protected professional title, though this is not the case by the trademark protection of the term Rolfer.