An interview with Sports scientist and Certified Rolfer® Jakob Reichardt, Munich - Germany
In this interview, Certified Rolfer® Stephanie Aimée Poole speaks with Jakob Reichardt about myofascia and the connection between Rolfing® Structural Integration and strength training. In addition to his work as a Rolfer®, Jakob Reichardt was a strength & conditioning coach with a passion for strength training and martial arts, particularly boxing.
Jakob, how did you get into boxing?
I was looking for a sport that went beyond traditional strength training and that had a greater coordinative component. In my neighborhood is a renowned boxing gym, Boxwerk in Munich with an excellent reputation. Not only did I train there myself, but I also worked there as a strength & conditioning coach.
How did you find your way to Rolfing® Structural Integration?
I was first introduced to the Rolfing method through a friend who is also a Rolfer. He treated me and my friends especially after injuries from playing sports. We quickly noticed that these treatments differed from conventional physiotherapeutic approaches – particularly in terms of the touch and the holistic approach. During my sports science studies I realised that a mere theoretical approach was not for me. Since I already had personal experience with Rolfing and started to see the myofascial connections of athletic movement, I decided to pursue the Rolfing training.
Could you briefly explain what is meant by myofascial connections?
The term consists of "myo" (muscle) and "fascia."
Muscles do not work in isolation; each individual muscle fibre is embedded within a fascial network that extends beyond muscles and joints and runs throughout the entire body.
This connective tissue is not only mechanically active, but also informs our nervous system about tensional states. Therefore, fascia plays a central role in movement and stability.
Does the fascial system also influence strength training or martial arts?
Yes, absolutely. The fascial system is integrated into every movement – you cannot exclude it. Muscles cannot function without fascia, and fascia cannot function without muscles or the other structures that are embedded within it. (We often talk about neurovascular bundles, meaning arteries, veins, and nerves organised within fascial structures.)
The real question is how we can specifically integrate the fascial system into training and sport. Fascia has specific mechanical and sensory properties that can be beneficial for strength athletes and athletes in general. A solid understanding of these connections can help optimise training efficiency and prevent injuries.
Should everyone engage in strength training? Why is it so important?
Studies indicate that age-related muscle loss – known as sarcopenia – has significant consequences for health. Losing muscle mass leads to a higher risk of illness, restricted mobility, a reduced life expectancy among many other things. Muscles are not just for locomotion; along with the fascia, they also constitute an important metabolic organ. Regular strength training can therefore greatly enhance the quality of life in later years.
What role does targeted back training play in addressing back pain?
First of all, it’s crucial to look at each person individually. In the case of clients with pain, I always examine: where does this person come from? What sort of environment do they live in? That includes details such as their job, everyday habits, and movement patterns. That’s my initial focus.
Many people benefit simply from releasing a certain structure and thus creating relaxation in the body. But that doesn’t apply to everyone – and not every structure or muscle is meant to have a big range of movement. There are structural differences that must be taken into account. If you look at how muscle fibres run, you can see that certain fibres are connected through their fascia. This often produces a more complex picture than you might initially think.
That’s why it’s not helpful to declare, “We must loosen the backs of the thighs first.” Of course, every manual therapy method has its own theoretical model and reasons for doing certain things – and that also goes for us Rolfers. Each approach contains a piece of the truth. But what really matters is how it fits into a person’s individual overall structure.
This is particularly evident when it comes to back pain. At first, many people benefit from restoring a basic level of stability to the body. Lots of therapists repeatedly see clients who have a generally slack baseline tension. In those cases, it can be genuinely helpful to start the morning with a few press-ups – simply to give the body some fundamental tone.
Let’s consider someone who has back pain but an overall loose muscle tone. What they sense as ‘tension’ is often not real muscle tension, but rather a compensatory spasm – essentially an emergency solution by the body to create artificial stability. Their system isn’t able to provide this stability via the entire musculoskeletal structure. As a result, the lumbar spine, which actually doesn’t want to be constantly under strain, tries to generate its own stability – via the nervous system. And that’s precisely when pain arises.
So, instead of choosing a standardised back training program, should one first analyse one’s own body structure and movement habits – and ask: what am I aiming for with this training?
Absolutely.
The major benefit of Rolfing is that we truly treat our clients on an individual basis and really take the time for them.
Our sessions often last 60 to 75 minutes, during which we specifically address the individual.
What’s fascinating is that the structure itself gives us clues about what it needs. While treating someone on the table, I can feel with my hands where the body is creating tension, where there are temperature differences – all indications of where support is required. Sometimes it’s surprising: a client might have hip problems, but the actual blockage is in the ankle.
And that’s exactly the point: after the manual treatment on the table, we need to think about which movement stimuli this person should incorporate into their daily routine.
If we don’t use this newly achieved range of movement, the body often returns to old patterns.
What would you recommend to people who want to get started with strength training?
It’s important to be aware of why you want to start strength training in the first place and what your goals are. Athletes should consider how to use strength training to support their specific sport. But also people who do physically demanding work or experience pain can benefit greatly.
For beginners, I recommend working with a knowledgeable trainer in the beginning, so you can learn the right technique. A gym that offers free weights is often better than one that only has machines, as it allows for greater freedom of movement.
Source:
This interview is an excerpt from a conversation with Jakob Reichardt about Rolfing® and strength training. The full interview is available as an audio recording in the “Fluid Realities” podcast, hosted by Anna Mischel and Stephanie Aimée Poole.
Interview partner: Jakob Reichardt, Certified Rolfer® and Sports scientist – Munich, Germany
Interviewer: Stephanie Aimée Poole, Certified Rolfer® - Gmunden, Austria
Edited and translated by: Sabine Becker
Photos: Copyright © Jakob Reichardt, Markus Mischen & Stefanos
Jakob Reichardt’s website
Stephanie Aimée Poole’s Website
Stephanie Aimée Poole’s social channels: LinkedIn, Instagram.
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