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Alexander technique 'preferred to exercise' for back pain
13 Jan 10
Patients find fewer barriers to using the Alexander Technique for self-management of back pain compared with exercise, finds a UK study.
The researchers from the University of Southampton assigned 360 patients to either lessons in the Alexander technique or exercise prescription and then carried out semi-structured interviews with them about their thoughts on the two techniques.
The study - published in the latest edition of Family Practice - found initially around 40% of both groups had a favourable attitude to the interventions, but after three months 66% of patients had a positive attitude to the Alexander technique and this compared with 44% of the patients receiving an exercise prescription.
They also found fewer patients reported barriers to learning the Alexander Technique as it ‘made sense’ and could be practiced while carrying out everyday activities or relaxing.
Professor Lucy Yardley, professor of health psychology at the University of Southampton, said: ‘Using the Alexander Technique was viewed as effective by most patients.
‘Acceptability may have been superior to exercise because of a convincing rationale and social support and a better perceived fit with the patient's particular symptoms and lifestyle.’
Fam Prac 2009; 0: 1-7
Readers' comments
Over the past 25 years, I have found the Alexander Technique preferable and more effective than exercises or exercise for me and my back pain patients. Dr M Wohl
There are many myths floating around out there regarding back pain. To truly understand what is at the root of your back pain try this simple test. Lie down on your back for 30 seconds with legs extended out, resting on the floor. Now bend your knees so the feet are sitting flat on the floor near your behind for 30 seconds. Which one feels better? If your back pain diminishes with knees bent then your spine has excessive extension stress acting on it. There are simple exercises to correct this. If your spine felt better with legs extended then you have excessive flexion stress acting on your spine. Again this is easily correctable. Chronic pain results from a cycle of issues. Anatomical problems feed biomechanical issues which then affect movement habits that reinforce the original anatomical and biomechanical problems. Fixing back pain requires attention to all three levels. It's quite simple to correct though. Thank you for your article.
Good and effective.