What's the Point of Citing Science?

You can't convince anyone whose mind is already certain they know what you're talking about.

The image above was recently posted on a Facebook page I like.

Since I chime in about the benefits of Rolf Structural Integration whenever there seems to be an opening, I said:

"There was Dr. Ida P. Rolf who had this idea of fostering an integration of the Human Energy Field with the Energy Field of the Earth. Depth ecology."

Comment 1: "Interesting."

I added: " “Some individuals may perceive their losing fight with gravity as a sharp pain in their back, others as the unflattering contour of their body, others as constant fatigue, yet others as an unrelentingly threatening environment. Those over forty may call it old age. And yet all these signals may be pointing to a single problem so prominent in their own structure, as well as others, that it has been ignored: they are off balance, they are at war with gravity.” – Ida P. Rolf, Ph.D." 

And this graphic ...

Comment 2: "There has never been a shred of peer-reviewed evidence that "Rolfing" offers any benefits beyond those of a good massage — in fact, for certain issues, it can cause *more* damage."

Me:

Then: "Link to source, please? Meaningless without context."

Wronski: "The photo to the best of my knowledge comes from the files of the Guild for Structural Integration."

Reply: "... hence, worthless." 

Me: "Assuming the representation is accurate and truthful, showing the results of 10 sessions of Rolf Structural Integration, pre/post, at least demonstrates the possibility that we humans can learn to work with Gravity along the same lanes as what architects and the building trades honor in their designs and structures — plumb and square as the cardinal reference for enduring through balance.

" If you want to wait for the Science to come in, go ahead.

"It's like asking the guy at the Wagon Wheel in Birmingham, Michigan to show the scientific proof that the top slice of that eponymous sandwich won't slide off. (Assuming you go back far enough to remember the Wagon Wheel.*)

"Forget about whether Rolfing works. Consider the images in the attached photo. The body is well understood to be plastic. The first thing is to decide if you want to learn to find balance in the make up of your body such that it works with Gravity. Down the road, if you want, Rolf Structural Integration offers personalized assistance."

* The gentleman in this exchange lives in Michigan, near the city of Birmingham. The Wagon Wheel sandwich is an overstuffed affair and a slice of dark bread 6" in diameter.