Alexander Technique for Back Pain
Little P, Lewith G, Webley F, et al. Randomised controlled trial of Alexander technique lessons, exercise, and massage (ATEAM) for chronic and recurrent back pain. BMJ. 2008 Aug 19;337:a884. doi: 10.1136/bmj.a884. PMID: 18713809
Instructors from the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique teamed with researchers at the University of Southampton and University of Bristol to study the effectiveness of Alexander lessons - given along with massage therapy, exercise prescription, and behavioral counseling - for patients with chronic and recurrent back pain.
From the discussion:
"A series of 24 lessons in the Alexander technique taught by registered teachers provides long term benefits for patients with chronic or recurrent low back pain. Both six lessons in the Alexander technique and general practitioner prescription for aerobic exercise with structured behavioural counselling by a practice nurse were helpful in the long term; classic massage provided short term benefit. Six lessons in the Alexander technique followed by exercise prescription was almost as effective as 24 lessons."
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technorati tags: complementary and alternative medicine integrative medicine back pain
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