Berlin

FR:EIA is the new plastinate at the BODY WORLDS Museum in Berlin, which was officially unveiled on November 24 during a webinar! In front of over 1000 participants from all over the world, BODY WORLDS curator Dr. Angelina Whalley, fascia expert Dr. Robert Schleip, and the definitive leaders of the fascia project, Dr. Vladimir Chereminskiy and Gary Carter, explained in detail the complicated and elaborate process of fascia plastination, as well as the importance of this unique plastinate for medical research and education.

The fascial connective tissue makes up about 20% of our body, depending on our constitution, and forms an all-encompassing net-like network that connects the individual body structures and anchors them glidingly in the body. This does not sound very spectacular, and that is why scientists have paid little attention to this tissue for centuries.

The actual functions of connective tissue were completely misunderstood for a long time. Only in recent years has it begun to be understood that it plays a central role in our health. Thus, back pain often has its cause not in vertebral or disc damage, but in the fasciae. Muscle soreness and sports injuries are also usually based on fascia injuries.

Although fascia is the focus of scientific and therapeutic attention today, three-dimensional imaging of fascial tissue has been a challenge until now. This is precisely what the team led by BODY WORLDS creator Dr. Gunther von Hagens, together with experts from the International Fascia Society, has now succeeded in doing. For three years, anatomists, scientists, physicians and physiotherapists from both teams from different countries worked to illustrate the complex and extremely unstable connective tissue network on an entire body. The resulting whole-body plastinate, called FR:EIA (= Fascia Revealed: Educating Interconnected Anatomy), shows this reticular tissue system in minute detail. It is the only preparation of its kind in the world.

Dr. Robert Schleip has put fascia in a new light with his years of research and has thereby contributed significantly to a rethinking in the sports, fitness, yoga, osteopathy and physiotherapy fields as well as in Chinese medicine. For him, FR:EIA is a breakthrough in three-dimensional fascia representation: "FR:EIA realizes a historically significant extension of conventional anatomy. In this novel representation, the fascial connective tissue takes center stage instead of being recognized only as a supportive background and packaging organ. Without the blessings of plastination, this beautiful whole-body representation of the fascial network would not have been possible. FR:EIA is therefore a unique object of study for all physicians, therapists and fascia experts, but also a revelation for the medical layman," says Dr. Robert Schleip.

For BODY WORLDS curator Dr. Angelina Whalley, the plastinate is the absolute highlight of the exhibition: "Even Leonardo da Vinci admonished us to recognize that everything is connected to everything else. The ever-growing findings in fascia research impressively prove his view. FR:EIA will permanently change the way we look at ourselves, our understanding of our physical needs and the way we treat our bodies. I am delighted to be able to present this unique plastinate to a broad public in our BODY WORLDS Museum in Berlin."

Click here for the webinar-recording.

We cordially invite you to explore the new fascia area at the BODY WORLDS Museum at Alexanderplatz for yourself!

From now on, the museum offers a free audio guide for your own smartphone.

How does it work?
Just connect to the WLAN with your smartphone, scan the QR code at the cash desk, and then you're ready to go. The audio tour for your smartphone is available in German and English.

We wish you an exciting visit to our exhibition!

The fascia structure of the human body and fascia manipulation form the basis of Rolfing® Structural Integration - a method of manual bodywork. The aim of this sustainable method is to align the body in the context of gravity. Rolfing® focuses on the fascia (connective tissue) but involves the whole body.

Rolfing® Structural Integration can lead to impressive postural improvements. Already in the 1950s this bodywork was explained by its inventor, Dr. Ida Rolf, mainly with the concept of fascia: "Fascia is the organ of posture. Nobody ever says this; all the talk is about muscles. Yet this is a very important concept, and [...] we as Rolfers® must understand both the anatomy and physiology, but especially the anatomy of fascia".
These early findings regarding the importance of the fascia now receive a new scientific foundation and meaning through current research and thanks to the fascia plastinates of the Bodyworlds exhibition. For trained Rolfers® or students of Rolfing®, the fascia plastinates are interesting objects of study. Dr. Robert Schleip, fascia expert and Research Director of the European Rolfing® Association: "The world's first fascia plastinate, FR:EIA, puts fascia in a completely new light scientifically. There is now a lot of new evidence that working with fascia has an impact on the whole body because fascia connects everything."
New findings could now lead to a change in thinking and have the potential to help millions of people suffering from chronic pain, stiffness, mobility problems and surgical rehabilitation.

What is Rolfing® Structural Integration?
Rolfing® Structural Integration is a method of manual bodywork that focuses on fascia. The aim is to align the body in the best possible way in the context of gravity. Through touch and movement, certified Rolfers® support their clients in improving their posture and movement patterns.
The body stores physical and emotional tension, trauma, and stress. Pain in one part of the body affects other parts. Rolfing® can improve the functioning of the body and the emotional state.
Rolfing® is different from therapies such as massage, deep tissue work, chiropractic, or osteopathy, although clients often have similar physical symptoms.
More information about Rolfing® Structural Integration:
rolfing.org.

The Rolfing Training at the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute® Europe
Students of Rolfing® gain a solid understanding of myofascial bodywork and movement principles through the three core themes of Touch, Movement and Anatomy. The basic Rolfing® training takes place in three levels, with emphasis on a good mix of theory and practice.
Courses can be taken on a modular basis (part-time) or intensively (full-time training blocks). In order to continue training after the certification as a Rolfer®, further education, Rolf Movement™ and Advanced Rolfing Training are offered.
The Dr. Ida Rolf Institute was founded by Dr. Ida Rolf herself. The European Rolfing School is based in Munich, Germany. A team of highly qualified teachers, whose ongoing training is part of the quality standards of Rolfing® training, teach in several languages and at selected European locations. With a teacher/student ratio of no more than 1/10, teachers provide individual feedback and help their students gain confidence in using important concepts and new skills.
The teaching at the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute® Europe is based on Dr. Ida Rolf's work and method of Structural Integration. In addition, the training today also includes the study of new scientific research in the areas of fascia, movement, anatomy, and touch. This combination makes it possible to meet the challenges we all face in today's world.
More information about the Rolfing® training:
rolfing.org.
Video about studying at the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute® Europe:
rolfing.org.

The European Rolfing® Association
The European Rolfing® Association e.V. (ERA) is a non-profit organisation based in Munich, Germany. It was founded in 1991 to support all certified Rolfers® practising in Europe and represents the profession of Rolfers® in Europe.
Through its own school, the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute® Europe, it provides training and continuing education for Rolfers®.
rolfing.org.

Whiplash, also known as acceleration-deceleration trauma, is a common injury, particularly in rear-end car collisions. It affects the muscles, fascia, ligaments, and tendons in the neck and can have far-reaching effects throughout the body.
In this article, you will find out how whiplash occurs, the processes that take place within the body, and how Rolfing® Structural Integration can support the healing process.

Whiplash Explained: Causes and Symptoms
Whiplash occurs when the head and neck are abruptly thrust backward and then forward due to a sudden, involuntary movement. This often happens during a car accident, when a sudden, unexpected jolt from behind, front, or from the side transfers force through the body of the occupants.
This can lead to strain and injury to soft tissues such as muscles, ligaments, tendons, and fascia, as well as blood vessels and nerves. Following whiplash, the neck and thoracic region often lose mobility and stability, and breathing may be affected due to impact-induced bruising and pressure from the seat belt. Typical symptoms of whiplash include severe headaches and neck pain, myofascial pain, neck stiffness, dizziness, and radiculitis (nerve pain) that can affect areas beyond the neck, such as the shoulders, arms, and even the lower back. Symptoms often appear only hours or days after the accident. In more severe cases, neurological symptoms such as numbness or vertigo also occur.

The Hidden Impact of Whiplash on Your Fascia
The body consists of various tissue types, which move at different speeds during an impact. This leads to overstretching of soft tissues—especially the fascia.
Fascia is the tough, less flexible connective tissue that surrounds muscles, organs, and other structures in the body. “A hallmark of all whiplash injuries is their impact on our fascial system. [...] When the entire impact remains within the fascia, it can result in a cascade of misalignments throughout the body,” explains fascia expert and Certified Advanced Rolfer® Peter Schwind.
Overstretched Fascia cannot fully regenerate without therapeutic assistance, leading to compromised function. This often results in persistent pain and tension that may affect the entire body. Without appropriate support to restore the fascia to its original form and gliding ability, symptoms may persist in the long-term and even worsen.

Whiplash Treatment: Why Rolfing® Goes Beyond Symptom Relief
Conventional medical treatment for whiplash primarily focuses on pain relief and restoring neck mobility. This includes painkillers, heat therapy, physiotherapy, and, in some cases, acupuncture. Wearing a neck brace is generally discouraged, as it can weaken muscles and exacerbate symptoms.
This approach is designed to alleviate symptoms, but often does not address the underlying cause - misalignments within the fascial system.
In contrast, the Rolfing® method adopts a holistic approach.
A whiplash injury affects the entire body and should not be treated as an isolated neck issue. “The main reason that Rolfing is able to be so dramatic in its results, is that no more than a sideways glance is given to the symptoms of the client,” explains Rolfer® Richard Demmerle, son of the legendary Dr. Ida Rolf. Severe neck- and headaches may be common symptoms, but the root of the problem can spread beyond the neck after a while. A few weeks after the accident, the issue may be deeply embedded throughout the body: “Typically, painful symptoms begin to ‘travel’ throughout our system,” adds Peter Schwind.

Whiplash Aftereffects: How the Injury Impacts Your Whole Body
Whiplash triggers complex changes within the fascial system. Not only do all neck fascia twist due to the forced motion of the head, but other bodily shifts also occur, as described by the expert Peter Schwind: Because one side of the body is held in place by the seat belt, the trunk twists internally like a spiral during a rear-end collision. “The shoulder that is not restrained by the belt is jerked forward and downward, adding a new dimension to the mechanical impact on the fascial system. The force driving the shoulder downward passes through the diaphragm and affects the liver. The liver, in turn, transfers these forces to the kidney... Although the liver is anchored by strong ligaments, which prevent it from shifting its position permanently, the ligaments themselves can be overstretched and strained,” Schwind explains. This twisting motion spirals deeper into the delicate tissue structures inside our torso. It creates a significant imbalance between our right and left sides. This imbalance is then transferred to our neck with each breath we take.
Even the interior of the spine and the cranium can be affected by the mechanical forces of whiplash. “The membrane enveloping our brain continues downwards as a sheath around our spinal cord, extending all the way to the sacrum and coccyx. We should envision this sheath as a kind of tube made from very tough material, which must be freely movable within the spinal canal,” says Schwind.

Rolfing®: A Fascial Approach to Whiplash Recovery
Rolfing® Structural Integration focuses on restoring the body’s natural balance and alignment by engaging deeply with the connective tissue network. This can be essential for resolving whiplash injuries by releasing overstretched and adhered fascia. Rolfers reorganise the entire body and restructure the fascia so that it can resume its natural supportive function.
As Schwind describes, the “forces of self-regulation” often aren't enough to resolve the internal twists caused by whiplash. This is where Rolfing comes in, treating the whole body and correcting structural imbalances stemming from the injury.
“Those of us who are fully committed to Rolfing Structural Integration know that as the […] [body] becomes organized and balanced, as well as supported by the earth, the entire incident of the whiplash has the opportunity to be erased and the […] [individual] can proceed with a more normal and healthy […] [life],” says Demmerle.

Why Rolfing® Could Be the Key to Solving Your Whiplash
While conventional medical approaches to whiplash mainly focus on symptom management, Rolfing® offers a deeper, holistic solution to the condition's complex effects. By addressing the fascia and the body as a whole, Rolfing® can help to resolve the underlying causes of pain and movement limitations, supporting a sustainable path to recovery.

Would you like to learn how Rolfing® can help your body recover from whiplash? Find a Certified Rolfer® near you and experience his wonderful bodywork method - rolfing.org
Interested in learning the method yourself? Explore our introductory and training programmes at the Dr. Ida Rolf Institute® Europe - rolfing.org or register for our free webinar on 5th November 2024 - rolfing.org

References: Peter Schwind (2014): “Fascia – Tissue of Life. The Mysterious Network of the Body and Its Importance for Our Health.” Richard Demmerle: “The Effect of Rolfing on Whiplash Injuries”