Robert Schleip

Prof. Dr. Robert Schleip - Expert in Fascia Research

About

Prof. Dr. Robert Schleip is a human biologist and diploma psychologist specializing in fascia research. He completed his psychology studies at the University of Heidelberg in 1980 and has since been a pioneer in the field of fascia, contributing significantly to its understanding and clinical applications. His work includes developing reliable examination methods in clinical connective tissue research and engaging in dynamic interactions with researchers and therapists worldwide. With over 20 years of experience as a teacher in the Rolfing and Feldenkrais methods, Robert passionately shares his knowledge through lectures, workshops, and seminars. He has authored numerous articles and books on fascia, emphasizing its importance in musculoskeletal medicine and its role as a sensory organ. His ongoing research aims to uncover new insights into the complex dynamics of the fascial system.

Publications

Veränderungen der thorakolumbalen Faszie beim Rückenschmerz: Henne oder Ei?

Manuelle Medizin

2025

International Expert Consensus on Instrument-Assisted Soft-Tissue Mobilization Precautions and Contraindications: A Modified Delphi Study

Healthcare

2025

The In Vitro and Vivo Validation of a New Ultrasound Method to Quantify Thoracolumbar Fascia Deformation

Journal of Clinical Medicine

2025

Testing the Posterior Chain: Diagnostic Accuracy of the Bunkie Test versus the Isokinetic Hamstrings/Quadriceps Measurement in Patients with Self-Reported Knee Pain and Healthy Controls

Journal of Clinical Medicine

2024

The Influence of Mobility Training on the Myofascial Structures of the Back and Extremities

Journal of Clinical Medicine

2024

Functional Neuromyofascial Activity: Interprofessional Assessment to Inform Person-Centered Participative Care—An Osteopathic Perspective

Healthcare

2023

Examination of Myofascial Stiffness and Elasticity in the Upper Trapezius Region in Patients with Unilateral Neck Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine

2023

Immediate Effects of Myofascial Release Treatment on Lumbar Microcirculation: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Journal of Clinical Medicine

2023

Immediate Effects of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Hydration Content in Lumbar Myofascial Tissues: A Quasi-Experiment

Journal of Clinical Medicine

2023

The Influence of a Single Instrument-Assisted Manual Therapy (IAMT) for the Lower Back on the Structural and Functional Properties of the Dorsal Myofascial Chain in Female Soccer Players: A Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Journal of Clinical Medicine

2022

Associations between Deformation of the Thoracolumbar Fascia and Activation of the Erector Spinae and Multifidus Muscle in Patients with Acute Low Back Pain and Healthy Controls: A Matched Pair Case-Control Study

Life

2022

Influence of Rolfing Structural Integration on Active Range of Motion: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine

2022

Reliability of a New Indentometer Device for Measuring Myofascial Tissue Stiffness

Journal of Clinical Medicine

2022

Gentle Touch Therapy, Pain Relief and Neuroplasticity at Baseline in Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Randomized, Multicenter Trial with Six-Month Follow-Up

Journal of Clinical Medicine

2022

Reply to Kudus, A.L. Comment on “Brandl et al. Immediate Effects of Myofascial Release on the Thoracolumbar Fascia and Osteopathic Treatment for Acute Low Back Pain on Spine Shape Parameters: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Life 2021, 11, 845”

Life

2022

Expert Consensus on the Contraindications and Cautions of Foam Rolling—An International Delphi Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine

2021

Potential Nociceptive Role of the Thoracolumbar Fascia: A Scope Review Involving In Vivo and Ex Vivo Studies

Journal of Clinical Medicine

2021

A Role for Superficial Heat Therapy in the Management of Non-Specific, Mild-to-Moderate Low Back Pain in Current Clinical Practice: A Narrative Review

Life

2021

Immediate Effects of Myofascial Release on the Thoracolumbar Fascia and Osteopathic Treatment for Acute Low Back Pain on Spine Shape Parameters: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Life

2021

Does the Calcaneus Serve as Hypomochlion within the Lower Limb by a Myofascial Connection?—A Systematic Review

Life

2021

Tenderness of the Skin after Chemical Stimulation of Underlying Temporal and Thoracolumbar Fasciae Reveals Somatosensory Crosstalk between Superficial and Deep Tissues

Life

2021

The Rolf Method of Structural Integration and Pelvic Floor Muscle Facilitation: Preliminary Results of a Randomized, Interventional Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine

2020

Active contractile properties of fascia

Clinical Anatomy

2019

Fascial nomenclature: Update on related consensus process

Clinical Anatomy

2019

Effects of Self-myofascial Release Using a Foam Roller on Range of Motion and Morphological Changes in Muscle: A Crossover Study

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

2021

Fascia Is Able to Actively Contract and May Thereby Influence Musculoskeletal Dynamics: A Histochemical and Mechanographic Investigation

Frontiers in Physiology

2019

Regarding: Update on fascial nomenclature - An additional proposal by John Sharkey MSc, Clinical Anatomist

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies

2019

Fascial tissue research in sports medicine: from molecules to tissue adaptation, injury and diagnostics: consensus statement

British Journal of Sports Medicine

2018

Faszienforschung: Quo vadis?

Manuelle Medizin

2018

Needle biopsy‐derived myofascial tissue samples are sufficient for quantification of myofibroblast density

Clinical Anatomy

2018

Not merely a protective packing organ? A review of fascia and its force transmission capacity

Journal of Applied Physiology

2018

Defining the fascial system

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies

2017

The Lumbodorsal Fascia as a Potential Source of Low Back Pain: A Narrative Review

BioMed Research International

2017

Connecting (T)issues: How Research in Fascia Biology Can Impact Integrative Oncology

Cancer Research

2016

Mechanotransduktion: von der zellulären Ebene bis zum ganzen Körper

Osteopathische Medizin

2016

Myofascial triggerpoint release (MTR) for treating chronic shoulder pain: A novel approach

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies

2016

A fascia and the fascial system

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies

2016

Contractile elements in muscular fascial tissue – implications for in‐vitro contracture testing for malignant hyperthermia

Anaesthesia

2014

Clinical Relevance of Fascial Tissue and Dysfunctions

Current Pain and Headache Reports

2014

Schleip & Klingler's response to Stecco's fascial nomenclature editorial

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies

2014

The Bodywide Fascial Network as a Sensory Organ for Haptic Perception

Journal of Motor Behavior

2014

Training principles for fascial connective tissues: Scientific foundation and suggested practical applications

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies

2013

The thoracolumbar fascia: anatomy, function and clinical considerations

Journal of Anatomy

2012

What is ‘fascia’? A review of different nomenclatures

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies

2012

Strain hardening of fascia: Static stretching of dense fibrous connective tissues can induce a temporary stiffness increase accompanied by enhanced matrix hydration

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies

2012

Biomechanical Properties of Fascial Tissues and Their Role as Pain Generators

Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain

2010

Faszien besitzen eine der glatten Muskulatur vergleichbare Kontraktionsfähigkeit und können so die muskuloskelettale Mechanik beeinflussen

Osteopathische Medizin

2008

Three-Dimensional Mathematical Model for Deformation of Human Fasciae in Manual Therapy

Journal of Osteopathic Medicine

2008

Vom Aschenputtel ins Rampenlicht:Das Bindegewebe im Mittelpunkt neu erwachten Forscher-Interesses

Osteopathische Medizin

2008

Letter to the Editor concerning “A hypothesis of chronic back pain: ligament subfailure injuries lead to muscle control dysfunction” (M. Panjabi)

European Spine Journal

2007

Viscoelastic behavior of human fasciae under extension in manual therapy

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies

2007

Passive muscle stiffness may be influenced by active contractility of intramuscular connective tissue

Medical Hypotheses

2006

Active fascial contractility: Fascia may be able to contract in a smooth muscle-like manner and thereby influence musculoskeletal dynamics

Medical Hypotheses

2005

Fascial plasticity – a new neurobiological explanation Part 2

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies

2003

‘The stretching debate’

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies

2003

Fascial plasticity – a new neurobiological explanation: Part 1

Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies

2003

A Role for Heat Therapy in Low Back Pain in Modern Clinical Practice

Unknown Venue

2021

Associations between Deformation of the Thoracolumbar Fascia and Activation of the Erector Spinae Muscle in Patients with Acute Low Back Pain and Healthy Controls. A Matched Pair Case-Control Study

Unknown Venue

2022

Examination of Myofascial Stiffness and Elasticity in the Upper Trapezius Region in Patients with Unilateral Neck Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study

Unknown Venue

2023

Immediate Effects of Instrument-assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Hydration Content in Lumbar Myofascial Tissues: A Quasi-Experiment

Unknown Venue

2022

Immediate Effects of Myofascial Release on the Thoracolumbar Fascia and Osteopathic Treatment for Acute Low Back Pain on Spine Shape Parameters: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Unknown Venue

2021

Influence of Rolfing Structural Integration on Active Range of Motion. A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Unknown Venue

2022

Potential Nociceptive Role of the Thoracolumbar Fascia: A Scope Review Involving in Vivo and Ex Vivo Studies

Unknown Venue

2021

The Influence of Mobility Training on the Myofascial Structures of the Back and Extremities

Unknown Venue

2023

Education

Ruprecht Karls Universität Heidelberg

Diplom-Psychologe

Heidelberg

University of Ulm, Germany

Ph.D, Human biology / January, 2006

Rolf Institute

Rolfing method of Structural Integration / January, 2004

Rolf Institute

Certified Rolfing Instructor / January, 1992

Universität Heidelberg

Dipl.Psych., Psychologie / January, 1980

Universität Heidelberg

Diplom-Psychologe, Psychologie / 1980

Universität Ulm

Dr. rer. nat., Humanbiologie / 2006

Experience

DIPLOMA Hochschule

Forschungsprofessur / October, 2023 — Present

Professor / October, 2023 — Present

Forschungsprofessur, Fachbereich Gesundheit & Psychologie

Technical University Munich

Research Associate / September, 2019 — Present

Universitätsklinikum Ulm

Research Associate / December, 2017 — March, 2020

Technische Universität München

Senior Scientist / August, 2024 — Present

Fascia Research Group, Technische Universität München I Verein z. Förd. d. Faszienforschung e.V.

Director / April, 2020 — Present

Research on muscular connective tissues (fasciae). www.fasciaresearch.de

FASCIA RESEARCH SOCIETY

Founding Director, Fascia Research Society / March, 2020 — Present

European Rolfing Association e.V.

Research Director / November, 2008 — Present

Instituto Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud - Fundacion Hector A. Barcelo

Visiting Professor / November, 2014 — Present

Somatics Academy

Board of Directors / October, 2001 — Present

Rolf Institute of Structural Integration, Boulder, Colorado

Instructor / August, 1992 — Present

Rolf Institute

Life Science Instructor / January, 1988 — Present

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Myofascial

Director / January, 2000 — January, 2004

Links & Social Media

Fascia Research Group

Personal Webpage

ORCID

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