Back pain: Alexander technique works best
The Alexander technique – which believes that poor posture can lead to a range of other problems – has this week been vindicated by research following years of derision and scepticism from the medical fraternity.
It’s one of the best techniques for chronic and recurring back pain, researchers have found, and it’s more effective than massage and exercise.
The therapy has been tested on a group of 579 patients, who had either normal medical care, or massage, or six or 24 Alexander lessons, or exercise.
Researchers from the University of Southampton discovered that one to six Alexander lessons was the most effective in achieving long-term benefits, and when it was followed up with exercise, it was nearly as effective as the 24-course programme.
(Source: British Medical Journal, 2008; 337: a884).