Recent research has established that the Alexander Technique is effective (and cost-effective) in the treatment of chronic back pain.

Details of the research were reported in the British Medical Journal in August 2008

A follow-up paper containing an economic evaluation of the results of the research was published in the BMJ in December 2008.

For the August article announcing the research, go to
www.bmj.com
and type Alexander Technique in the search box.

For the economic evaluation, click here to go directly to the
second bmj article

The research consisted of a randomised controlled trial of Alexander technique lessons, exercise, and massage for chronic and recurrent back pain. The research team was lead by Paul Little, Professor of Primary Care Research at the University of Southampton, who can be contacted at P Little psl3@soton.ac.uk

The objective was to determine the effectiveness of lessons in the Alexander technique, massage therapy, and advice from a doctor to take exercise (exercise prescription) along with nurse delivered behavioural counselling for patients with chronic or recurrent back pain.

The main measures used to measure outcomes were the Roland Morris disability score (number of activities impaired by pain) and number of days in pain.

Results showed that exercise and lessons in the Alexander technique, but not massage, remained effective at one year. Six lessons followed by excercise achieved 72% of the effect of 24 lessons alone. The reported number of days with back pain in the past four weeks was lower after lessons. Compared with the control group who reported an average of 21 days in pain, those who had massage reported an average of 14 days, those who had six lessons reported 11 days and those who had 24 lessons reported, on average, only 3 days. Quality of life improved significantly. No significant harms were reported.

The researchers concluded that "one to one lessons in the Alexander technique from registered teachers have long term benefits for patients with chronic back pain. Six lessons followed by exercise prescription were nearly as effective as 24 lessons."

Watch the way that most people sit down, and think about the tension that this simple act causes in their necks and backs. Think about the way that you are sitting now.

Pain, illness or unfitness are often simply the result of the harmful way in which a person uses herself or himself.

With the Alexander Technique you will learn to use yourself well.

Patients receiving 6 Alexander lessons were reporting, a year after the lessons, a drop of days per month in pain from 21 to 11. Patients receiving 24 lessons fared even better, reporting on average a fall from 21 days in pain to 3 days in pain. The control group showed no improvement. For more details go to www.bmj.com and type Alexander Technique in the search box.

A second article, containing an economic evaluation of this randomised controlled trial, has just been published in the bmj (December 08). Click here for more details or go directly to the bmj article

Back pain, neck pain and all other sorts of muscular and joint pain can obviously be caused by bad use, but many other conditions also have more to do with the way that we are using ourselves than with any other cause - and learning to use ourselves better is often more effective than any other cure.

Learn by working one-to-one with a good teacher. The teacher can communicate in words and through direction with his or her hands.

The experience can be a revelation, giving an immediate sense of well-being and a promise of consistent improvement to follow.

Call 01865 765511 or email me at S.C@btinternet.com for lessons and information, or visit my LINKS page to find a teacher near you.