|
||
Definition:
Rolfing (trademarked by the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration) is essentially a very deep and very vigorous massage (proponents describe it as "soft tissue manipulation"). This is not in itself bad, and when it comes to back and neck problems it may have some therapeutic (as opposed
to curative) effect. However, proponents make much more exaggerated claims for
it, for example saying that it may cure illness, although there is no scientific evidence to back up such claims.
Rolfing is named after its creator, Ida P. Rolf, Ph.D. (1896-1979), an organic chemist who also studied yoga and chiropractic treatments. According to Rolf, her technique allows a person to re-align their own energy fields with that of the earth and gravity: "Rolfers make a life study of relating bodies and their fields to the earth and its gravity field, and we so organize the body that the gravity field can reinforce the body's energy field" (quoted in Raso, 1994) This would make Rolfing one more mystical procedure based upon the idea of adjusting a body's energy fields, an idea with no credible scientific basis. Rolfing can presumably provide a nice massage, but it might also be painful if done too vigorously.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What is Alternative Medicine?
There's an awful lot in the news and in society about "alternative medicines" these days. By some estimates, it's an industry doing between $15 and $20 billion annually - and growing! But what is alternative medicine - how does it differ from scientific medicine and why do people use it?Skepticism & Critical Thinking
This is the main index for issues dealing with skepticism, critical thinking, logic and arguments. The first section is Critical Thinking itself - how to think about claims and arguments you hear, how to critique arguments, and how to formulate your own arguments such that they are more likely to be sound and valid. The second section is about Skeptical Investigations - the practical application of the critical thinking skills covered in the first section. Here you will find critiques of things like astrology, alternative medicine, parapsychology, the New Age and more.
