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Alexander technique helps lower back pain

22 August 2008

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This is a significant step forward in the long-term management of low back pain. Professor Little, University of Southampton

The Alexander technique is an effective long-term option to treat long-term (chronic) pain or pain that keeps coming back (recurrent) in the lower back, a new study has concluded. Back pain affects half of the UK population each year and is the second most common reason for long-term absence from work.

The research, published in the British Medical Journal focused on 579 people with chronic or recurrent lower back pain. The study compared four groups. One group had normal care which they received from their GP (which could include anything from painkillers to physiotherapy), another had massage and the remaining groups had either six or 24 lessons of the Alexander technique.

Each of the four groups was split in half, and one half of each group were also prescribed aerobic exercise (eg brisk walking) five times a week for 30 minutes with a nurse who provided behaviour counselling.

Participants completed a questionnaire focusing on how back pain affected their ability to do daily activities at the start of the trial, three months into the study and one year after the study began.

The results showed that people who had 24 lessons of the Alexander technique alone or six lessons of the Alexander technique and prescribed exercise were not as limited by their back pain - this could be the difference between being able to leave the house, do housework and walk.

People also reported less pain from three days a month in the people who did 24 lessons of the Alexander technique compared to 21 days a month in the group who had normal care after one year.

Professor Little, one of the researchers from the University of Southampton, was intrigued by the potential of the Alexander technique: "my wife had chronic back pain and the Alexander technique helped her so I wondered if it could help others, but I was sceptical. But the results of this study revealed that the Alexander technique can help back pain."

"It probably does this by limiting muscle spasm, strengthening postural muscles, improving coordination and flexibility, and decompressing the spine."

Professor Little added, "you need to practice the Alexander technique every day; it is a lifestyle change which you apply while you do activities; it isn't a magic bullet as it takes time to learn."

"This research shows that after one year the Alexander technique continues to help people" commented Dr Dries Hettinga, Research Manager at BackCare. "The research is very promising and encouraging. The main focus of the Alexander technique involves education and how to use your body better. It aims to improve your coordination and posture, and to apply those skills in your daily life. This can help to provide long-term benefits."

Dr Dries Hettinga, Research Manager at BackCare advises people to try this but cautioned "due to the nature of back pain people can benefit from a range of different options. We advise this alongside other alternatives such as manual therapies like chiropractic and osteopathy; exercise also plays a crucial role. Comprehensive multidisciplinary options including psychotherapy are also available."

Key facts

  • Four out of five people have back pain at some point during their life.
  • In 85 percent of people, no disease is related to the cause. Factors linked to back pain include heavy lifting, obesity and stress.
  • 40 percent of people who have back pain visit their GP.
  • Chronic back pain lasts for more than three months.
  • The Alexander technique focuses on developing awareness of your posture and movement in order to improve it.