Dr. Rolf earned her Ph.D. in biochemistry from Columbia University in 1916. Somewhere in her scientific research she made a fundamental discovery about the body: the same network of connective tissue which contains and links the muscle system of the body when in health can be used to reshape it when it has been pulled out of order. In fact Dr Rolf coined the term myofascial release based on the information she uncovered.

Each muscle and muscle fiber is enveloped in a connective tissue called fascia. Toward the end of each muscle, this fascia thickens into straps we call tendons, which work to bind muscle to bone. There are fascia sheets throughout the structure. In fact, this strange stuff we term connective tissue might better be called the “prima material,” the basic stuff of the body.

For a Rolfer the emphasis is on the covering of muscles and muscle groups, much as when looking at an orange, one emphasizes the rind rather than the meat. The enwrapping fascia supports the muscles and holds muscle and bone combinations in place.

Fascia has one troublesome property: it supports whatever patterns of movement and posture the body adopts. The fascia can aid normal balanced alignment, or, when muscles are overloaded by constant strain or off-balanced movement, these connective tissues may take over some of the load by shortening and giving up their elasticity; becoming more like scar tissue.

In this way the body actually changes shape to reflect how it is being used. Fortunately, the fascia can be restored to health by returning muscles and bones to their proper alignments and inducing proper movement. This is primarily due to the colloidal nature of fascia.