Alexander technique helps back pain

SOUTHAMPTON , England, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- A personalized approach to help patients with back pain develop self-care skills, exercise and massage is effective for back pain, British researchers said.

A team of researchers from the University of Southampton and the University of Bristol compared the effectiveness of massage, exercise and the Alexander technique for the relief of back pain over one year. The Alexander technique involves a personalized approach to help patients develop lifelong skills to improve postural tone and muscular coordination. It is an educational technique taught to be practiced by patients and is not a form of exercise.

The researchers recruited 579 patients with chronic or recurrent back pain from 64 general practices in England. Patients were randomized to receive normal care, massage, or Alexander technique lessons. Half of the patients from each of the groups were also prescribed an exercise program of brisk walking for 30 minutes per day five times a week.

The study, published in the British Medical Journal, found that after one year, exercise combined with lessons in the Alexander technique significantly reduced pain and improved functioning whereas massage offered little benefit after three months. Patients receiving Alexander technique lessons also reported improved quality of life.