Back Pain Alleviated Through Alexander Technique
Posted on: Wednesday, 20 August 2008, 08:35 CDT
Better posture may be the simplest way to ease back pain according to researchers in the UK.
Researchers from Bristol and Southampton universities studied the affects of the so-called Alexander technique, which teaches patients how to sit, stand and walk in a way that relieves pain by focusing on their coordination and posture.
The new study published in the British Medical Journal is the first to show the benefits of the method in those suffering from back pain.
Teams received funding from the Medical Research Council and the NHS Research and Development fund.
About half the UK population suffers from back pain during a year with up to 15% going on to have chronic problems.
It is the second biggest cause of sick leave, accounting for five million lost working days a year.
Through a mixture of normal GP care, massage and the Alexander technique, researchers were able to gauge the affects on 463 patients over the course of one year.
Participants who were taught the Alexander technique suffered from back pain only three days a month compared to 21 days for those receiving GP care, which tended to include regular consultations, pain killers and exercise regimes for some, and 14 for those who had massages, researchers noted.
The Alexander patients were split into two - one group received 24 lessons and one six.
Those who had 24 lessons were suffering just three days pain, compared to 11 for the other group.
"Lessons in the Alexander technique offer an individualized approach to develop skills that help people recognize, understand, and avoid poor habits affecting postural tone and neuromuscular coordination,” said lead researcher Professor Debbie Sharp.
"It can potentially reduce back pain by limiting muscle spasm, strengthening postural muscles, improving coordination and flexibility, and decompressing the spine,” Sharp added.
Dries Hettinga, researcher manager for Back Care, a charity which offers support and advice to people with back pain, said: "There is little evidence available about the effectiveness of the Alexander technique so this research is welcome.
"The Alexander technique is something we do recommend and the feedback we have got is good.
"But I would say that it may not be effective for everyone. Back pain is different for each person and you often need a combination of things to help relieve it."
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Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports
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