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Alexander Technique

A listing is not a recommendation.

Origin: Spread in Australia and the United Kingdom · Tradition: Re-education of posture and movement · Movement

What it is

An educational method of noticing, and leaving off, extra tension in everyday standing and moving. Lessons centre on work with a teacher, and it does not easily become complete self-care alone.

A short introduction (not a treatment instruction)

1. Take lessons with a qualified teacher (research on chronic low back pain also used a lesson format).
2. Do not force a “correct posture” into place.
3. Do not manipulate the head or neck hard from a self-help book alone.

Symptoms or aims often mentioned with this practice

• Low back pain
• Neck pain
• Posture
• Stiff shoulders

Related symptom videos

• Low back pain
• Neck pain
• Posture
• Stiff neck & shoulders

Research notes (this is not a promise of effect)

B: Randomised trials or systematic reviews exist, but reports are modest, the group studied is limited, or study quality is limited

A BMJ RCT (Little et al., 2008) found that 24 lessons improved function and days of pain at one year in chronic or recurrent low back pain. Evidence in other areas, such as asthma, is insufficient.

Sources

• Little et al., BMJ 2008: Alexander Technique for chronic back pain
• NCCIH: Low-Back Pain and Complementary Health Approaches