IDA ROLF
by Dr. Lawrence Wilson
© August 2025, LD Wilson Consultants, Inc.
All information in this article is for educational purposes only. It is not for the diagnosis, treatment, prescription or cure of any disease or health condition.
Ida Rolf (1896-1979) was a very important person in the field of biochemistry. Later in her life, she became a leader in the field of natural healing.
She was born in New York City and attended Barnard College. She earned a degree in chemistry. She went on to get Masters and PhD degrees in biochemistry.
For nine years she worked at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research and did excellent research on lecithin and another important chemical, cephalin. These are brain chemicals that are very important for the nervous system.
Starting around 1940, she became interested in correcting body structure. Over a number of years, she developed a system of correcting and aligning body structure. She originally called it structural integration. However, it has become known as Rolfing and is taught at the Rolf Institute in Boulder, Colorado. An offshoot is called structural integration.
ABOUT ROLFING
Rolfing is a powerful form of bodywork. Some call it massage, but it is quite deep and forceful, unlike most massage. It helps to separate fascia layers that are adhered to one another.
When this is done properly, the body structure and posture improve. This facilitates general healing of the body. For more details, read Rolfing.
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