Myofascial release and deep tissue are simply techniques, while Rolfing is a system that utilizes those techniques and others. Rolfing emphasizes ways of seeing how the body works as a whole, and where more ease can be achieved.

 

“Deep tissue” specifies that some work may be tough or painful, but I certainly wouldn’t limit myself to deep tissue techniques. In some sensitive areas, such as the front of the neck, behind the knee, and so on, deep tissue work can be dangerous due to less protected nerves and arteries. Although deep work can be beneficial, it also has to be something a client can handle. People vary wildly in their sensitivity to touch, and it’s hard to have any benefit if the work is too painful for the client.

 

“Myofascial release” as a concept really originates with Rolfing, although Ida Rolf never used the term as far as I’m aware. Ida Rolf was clued into the importance of fascia 100 years ago. She was influential in the Human Potential Movement of the 1960’s, but she was already well into middle age when she started teaching her work. No one really knows where her ideas came from, but it was likely significantly influenced by ostepathic manual manipulation. Myofascial release and deep tissue work emerge as concepts largely by people who studied under Ida Rolf generalizing her work in books, courses, and schools. I’ve found that many clients who thought they had tried Rolfing really hadn’t. It usually sounds more like a Structural Integration weekend class that a manual therapist may have partially incorporated into their way of working.