Alexander Technique and Pain
Back Pain
The Alexander Technique can help to improve conditions associated with muscular tension and bad posture, which often lead to back pain.
A randomized control trial for patients with chronic low back pain was published in the British Medical Journal in 2008. It showed that 24 Alexander Technique lessons led to a significant reduction in pain from 21 days to 3 days per month.
(Source: British Medical Journal 2008)
Neck Pain
Neck pain is a leading cause of disability, and is the fourth most common health condition out of 291 reported worldwide.
The problem of chronic neck pain is likely to grow because of increasing computer and mobile technology use (‘text neck’).
In a major clinical trial funded by Arthritis Research UK and run by the University of York, one-to-one Alexander lessons led to long-term improvement in pain and associated disability for people who had chronic neck pain. (Source: Arthritis Research UK)
EXAMPLE: The average head weighs about 5 kg (10-12lbs). This weight increases with every cm/inch the head moves forward from the spine (e.g. when looking down on a mobile phone). The rounding of the upper back and shoulders increases the chance of developing neck and low back pain.
Parkinson’s
A randomized study has shown that the Alexander Technique can provide significant benefits to people with Parkinson’s. (Source: School of Integrated Medicine, University of Westminster.)
Hypermobility
Hypermobility is a connective tissue problem in which the body’s collagen is more elastic than “normal”. It can lead to injuries such as sprains and dislocations, general clumsiness and joint pain. In extreme cases, hypermobility can lead to chronic pain.
The Alexander Technique can help in developing strategies to deal with hypermobility problems. (Source: Hypermobility Syndromes Association)
Performance, Stress, and Anxiety
Performers of all kinds have long used the Alexander Technique to develop and improve their skills.
Actors, singers, musicians, and dancers are helped by developing a high-level of physical and mental awareness, which prevents pain and reduces stress and performance anxiety.
The technique is taught in all major performing arts colleges in the UK and has been introduced in a number of primary and secondary schools. (Source: click here.)
On the performance of musicians, please see the following links:
- The Alexander Technique and musicians
- The effect of lessons in the Alexander Technique on music performance in high and low stress situations.
See some of the Alexander Technique’s many famous students.
Further Research
For more information on all the research relating to Alexander Technique, please click here.