The Alexander Technique for Chronic Recurrent Back Pain

Researchers from the University of Bristol, in the UK, have compared the effectiveness after one year of massage, exercise, and the Alexander technique for the relief of chronic back pain; their study is reported online in the British Medical Journal.

The Alexander technique is an individualized approach intended to develop the necessary skills for self care, helping people recognize and avoid poor postural habits and improving their musculoskeletal use. One-on-one lessons involve personalized assessment of the individual’s patterns of muscle use, paying attention to unwanted head, neck, and spinal muscle tension. Hand contact and verbal instruction are used to help decompression of the spine and improve musculoskeletal use. Between lessons the subject practices and applies the technique. An appendix to the journal article describes the technique more fully.

The Alexander technique is thus distinct from manipulation, back schools, and conventional physical therapy.

A sample of 579 patients with chronic or recurrent back pain from 64 family practices provided the subjects for the study. They were randomly assigned to one of 4 treatment groups: ‘normal care’, 6 weekly massage sessions, 6 Alexander technique lessons over a 4-week period, or 24 Alexander technique lessons spread over 5 to 9 months. Half the participants in each group were assigned to an exercise program from a physician along with behavioral counseling from a nurse.

After one year, exercise and Alexander technique lessons (6 or 24) were all still effective in reducing the amount of pain, compared with ‘normal care’. The patients with 24 Alexander technique lessons had the fewest days of back pain over the previous 4 weeks, followed by the 6-lesson Alexander group, followed by massage. It was noteworthy that 6 Alexander technique lessons plus exercise had nearly the same benefits as 24 Alexander lessons without exercise.

The Alexander technique lessons should be given by registered teachers, who may not be available in all areas in the USA. However, the results of this study are fairly convincing, and we can hope the number of Alexander teachers will increase as the benefits become better known.

Comments

[kellyjazzgirl]

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