Dr. Ida Rolf was studying fascia in the 1920's at the Rockefeller Institute, and Rolfing practitioners have been fascinated with the properties of the body's fascial web since the 60's. But, until recently, mainstream medicine viewed facia as little more than the stuffing surrounding all the really interesting parts (bones, muscles, and organs).

Fascia is now in vogue among the research and medical communities and studies are ongoing. Although much of the research is focused on basic science (What exactly is fascia? What is is made of? What are it's properties?), there is increasing interest in the role that fascia plays in musculoskeletal strain disorders such as low back pain and instability; postural strain patterns; fibromyalgia; pelvic pain; respiratory dysfunction; chronic stress injures; wound healing; and trauma recovery/repair.

For the latest in structural integration and fascia research, visit the following websites:

The Ida P. Rolf Research Foundation - The only nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting structural integration research and collaboration between research and clinical communities.

The International Fascia Research Congress - A project of the Ida P. Rolf Research Foundation, the Congress was the brain-child of Certified Advanced Rolfer Tom Findley, MD, PhD. The Third Internation conference will be held in Vancouver, BC in 2012 and — as usual — will present the latest and best fascia findings. DVD recordings and proceedings books from prior Congresses are available on this site.

fasciaresearch.com - Searchable website created by Certifed Advanced Rolfer, Robert Schleip, PhD. Be sure to look through Schleip's Fascia Research Project in his lab at Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.

The Dr. Rolf Library - Open Website for further articles related to all things Rolfing.