Research on Benefits of Rolfing: Mobility & Symmetry

The European Rolfing Association recently posted a short article about a new study on the benefits of Rolfing. The data involved 563 subjects, all of whom had completed the Rolfing 10-session series with the same practitioner. The subjects were measured along 5 parameters:

1. Passive hip flexion mobility

2. Passive knee flexion mobility

3. Chest circumference at normal breathing

4. Chest circumference at full inspiration

5. Trunk length symmetry

The authors state, “All parameters showed statistically significant improvements post-intervention...These findings support the role of SI (structural integration) in addressing postural and mobility-related dysfunctions through fascia-oriented mobilization.”

The research article itself isn’t long. You can read it for yourself. It's titled Influence of Rolfing Structural Integration on Lower Limb Mobility, Respiratory Thorax Mobility, and Trunk Symmetry: A Retrospective Cohort Study (Schleip et al., 2025). Unsurprisingly, chest circumference at full inspiration and trunk length symmetry increased quite a bit. Median chest circumference increased by 2 cm, and median trunk length asymmetry decreased from -1 cm to -0.2 cm.

Interestingly, the median value for chest circumference during normal breathing slightly decreased post-intervention, though the range is considerably larger. The authors don’t make much mention of this, but I can see how a smaller resting breath is a good thing. Breathing can be surprisingly confusing in part because we want BOTH the capacity for large breaths when we need them, but also easy, relaxed breaths. The more you inhale or exhale, the more you fight against pressure and require more muscular effort. Relaxed breathing should be nearly effortless and is often quite shallow. Buteyko breathing is a method for making your breath shallower on purpose. It can be a bit difficult to dial in, but I’ve felt a huge sense of relaxation at times. Here’s a video you can try. You shouldn’t be taking massive breaths at all times throughout the day, and the key to a relaxing breath is making your exhale longer than your inhale.

Robert Schleip is one of the authors and has been instrumental in pushing research of Rolfing Structural Integration ahead. He trained as a Rolfer decades ago before going into research. His work has overturned some old ideas and is helping to put Rolfing on firmer empirical ground. Research into fascia and Rolfing is still relatively recent but is increasingly gaining steam.

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James Tremblay is a Certified Rolfer® and Licensed Massage Therapist based in Farmington, Michigan, serving Novi, West Bloomfield, Southfield, Livonia, and beyond.