The Alexander Technique

2010 ◽  
pp. 325-337
Author(s):  
Lena Schibel-Mason
Keyword(s):  
Alexander Technique

scholarly journals Alexander Technique vs. Targeted Exercise for Neck Pain—A Preliminary Comparison

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 4640
Author(s):  
Jordan J. Becker ◽  
Tara L. McIsaac ◽  
Shawn L. Copeland ◽  
Rajal G. Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Neck Pain ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Chronic Neck Pain ◽  
Exercise Group ◽  
Alexander Technique ◽  
Private Lessons ◽  
Pain Disability ◽  
Exercise Class

Background: Alexander technique private lessons have been shown to reduce chronic neck pain and are thought to work by different mechanisms than exercise. Group classes may also be effective and would be cost-effective. Design: A two-group pre-test/post-test design. Participants were assigned to either a general Alexander technique class or an exercise class designed to target neck pain. Both groups met over 5 weeks for two 60 min sessions/week. Participants: A total of 16 participants with chronic neck pain (aged 50+/−16 years) completed this study. Interventions: The Alexander class used awareness-building methods to teach participants to reduce habitual tension during everyday activities. The exercise class was based on physical therapy standard of care to strengthen neck and back muscles thought to be important for posture. Measures: We assessed neck pain/disability, pain self-efficacy, activation of the sternocleidomastoid muscles during the cranio-cervical flexion test, and posture while participants played a video game. Results: Both groups reported decreased neck pain/disability after the interventions. Sternocleidomastoid activation decreased only in the Alexander group. Conclusion: In this small preliminary study, Alexander classes were at least as effective as exercise classes in reducing neck pain and seemed to work via a different mechanism. Larger, multi-site studies are justified.

Alexander technique offers back pain solution

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 6-6
Author(s):  
Vari Drennan
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Alexander Technique

scholarly journals Improvement in Automatic Postural Coordination Following Alexander Technique Lessons in a Person With Low Back Pain

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. 565-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy W Cacciatore ◽  
Fay B Horak ◽  
Sharon M Henry
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Force Plate ◽  
Muscular Activity ◽  
Alexander Technique ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Postural Coordination ◽  
Postural Responses ◽  
History Of ◽  
Automatic Postural Responses

Abstract Background and Purpose. The relationship between abnormal postural coordination and back pain is unclear. The Alexander Technique (AT) aims to improve postural coordination by using conscious processes to alter automatic postural coordination and ongoing muscular activity, and it has been reported to reduce low back pain. This case report describes the use of the AT with a client with low back pain and the observed changes in automatic postural responses and back pain. Case Description. The client was a 49-year-old woman with a 25-year history of left-sided, idiopathic, lumbrosacral back pain. Automatic postural coordination was measured using a force plate during horizontal platform translations and one-legged standing. Outcomes. The client was tested monthly for 4 months before AT lessons and for 3 months after lessons. Before lessons, she consistently had laterally asymmetric automatic postural responses to translations. After AT lessons, the magnitude and asymmetry of her responses and balance improved and her low back pain decreased. Discussion. Further research is warranted to study whether AT lessons improve low back pain-associated abnormalities in automatic postural coordination and whether improving automatic postural coordination helps to reduce low back pain.

scholarly journals “I never thought I could do that…”: Findings from an Alexander Technique pilot group for older people with a fear of falling

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 79-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley Glover ◽  
Debbie Kinsey ◽  
D. Jane Clappison ◽  
E. Gardiner ◽  
Julie Jomeen
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Alexander Technique
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