Athletes can expect to sustain some minor injuries throughout the course of their career. Finding unique and effective treatment methods for these injuries can help an athlete get back in the game faster. One treatment method gaining in popularity is known as rolfing. Named for its creator, Dr. Ida P. Rolf, rolfing is a system of soft-tissue manipulation that can help an athlete more effectively heal from an injury.

Here are three reasons why you should consider rolfing for your sports-related injury treatment program in the future.

1. Reduction of scar-tissue buildup.

When an injury occurs, the normal range of motion for the fascia can become restricted due to inflammation or structural damage. If the fascia cannot move and slide properly, a buildup of collagen will ensue. This excess collagen takes on the form of scar tissue.

Scar tissue can limit the healing process, and can result in an altered range of motion as your injury heals. By manipulating the fascia manually through rolfing techniques, you will be able to reduce the amount of scar tissue that builds up around your injury site.

2. Reduction of pain during healing.

Working your way through the healing process can often be painful. The shortening of the fascia that occurs when an injury is sustained can be to blame for some of the pain associated with healing from a sports-related injury.

By taking the time to engage in rolfing, you will be able to keep your fascia as limber and loose as possible. Maintaining a normal range of motion through fascia release can help you ease your pain while you work to regain strength and mobility after sustaining an injury.

3. Prevention of future injuries.

Unlike many other treatment methods, which focus solely on the injury site, rolfing involves techniques that focus on structural integration. By improving the bio-mechanical function of your body as a whole while simultaneously rehabilitating a specific injury, you can create a more balanced physical system.

Having this increased balance will improve your performance when you are ready to return to your sport, and it can help you prevent additional injuries from occurring due to structural imbalances in the future.

Taking the time to understand the unique benefits that rolfing can provide allows you to harness these benefits to help you recover more readily from a sports-related injury. Use rolfing to reduce scar-tissue buildup, ease pain, and help prevent future injuries.