Developed more than 50 years ago by Dr. Ida P.Rolf, a Columbia University Ph.D. in biochemistry and physiology, Rolfing is a system of soft tissue manipulation that goes deeper than massage and is designed to change your body's posture and structure. During a session, a Rolfer works the myofascia, the film that wraps around the muscle tissue.

In pain with two herniated discs as a result of an auto accident, Lorrie Wagner sought Rolfing for spinal alignment. "Nothing helped me as much as Rolfing," she says. "You stay healthy by having full mobility of your body."

Wilmington (North Carolina) Rolfer Judi Clinton says it helps people feel lighter and win the war with gravity. Ms. Clinton treats people struggling with a mixed bag of physical ailments: chronic pain, sciatica, back injuries, bad knees, headaches, poor posture, balancing difficulties, rotator cuff problems, and neck and shoulder tension.

Susan Bogle, for example, sought Rolfing for upper neck and shoulder pain. "That's where I carry my stress," she says. "Rolfing really goes deep and addresses those structural elements that never seemed to clear up no matter what I tried."

"It's architectural renovation for the body," explains Ms. Clinton, who became interested in the therapy more than 25 years ago when she was thrown from a horse. "My hip was twisted from the fall, and I had chronic back pain," she says. "No treatment helped me permanently until I got Rolfed. Then I began to heal." Sold on the methods of Rolfing, Ms. Clinton trained at the Rolf Institute.

According to Dr. Rolf's writings, the average person suffers from aches and stifness, and the discomfort increases with age. "Most therapies are aimed at the place in your body that hurts," Ms. Clinton says. "But the myofascia, which shortens and thickens with age, is wrapped around the muscles throughout the body. Rolfing lifts and lightens the body and along with that goes emotional well-being. During Rolfing, your body lengthens. It's not unusual for people to grow an inch."

"Lengthening is important," Ms. Clinton says, "because the body is the bridge between heaven and earth. We want to be anchored in both places."

How Rolfing helps:

• Conserves energy
• Helps the body move more easily and efficiently
• Reduces chronic stress, pain and fatigue
• Improves posture and spinal curvature
• Improves neurological functioning, sciatica
• Helps back, knee injuries
• Heals rotator cuff problems and neck and shoulder tension