The Alexander Technique for Back Pain

You are not alone

Persistent back pain is one of the most confounding ailments to strike modern society.  It's been estimated that 70 to 85 percent of Americans will experience back pain at some time in their lives.  Each year we spend a staggering $50 billion to treat back pain and that's in the U.S. alone.

Back pain is also the most frequent cause of activity limitation in people under 45.  And I should know.

As a 34-year old,  I was struck with crippling back pain originating from herniated discs in my lumbar spine - causing sciatica in both legs and preventing my ability to walk more than a few steps.  The Alexander Technique was the very last treatment option I considered.  In retrospect, it should have been the first.  [Learn About Lessons]

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Most cases of back pain are not caused by serious condition

According to the American Chiropractic Association, most cases of back pain are mechanical and are not caused by inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture or cancer.  In other words, most cases of back pain are preventable once you understand how to improve the manner in which you initiate movement.

In the pursuit of relief from pain, most back pain sufferers usually try one or more of the following treatment modalities:

• Muscle Relaxants, Analgesics, and other Painkillers
• Chiropractic Adjustments
• Massage
• Activity Restriction and Rest
  
• Acupuncture or other Asian Medicine
• Exercise or Physical Therapy, usually of the “Core-Strengthening” variety
• Traction Therapy
  
• Surgery

The Alexander technique enhances and complements these therapies by meticulously observing and improving how you initiate movement in the common everyday activities of sitting, standing, and walking - reducing tension habits and increasing mobility.

How can the Alexander Technique benefit someone with Back Pain?

The Alexander Technique is a unique and largely unknown whole-self approach to reeducating individuals in the correct use of their coordination and postural reflexes.  The benefits of studying its principles include but are not limited to:

• Practical body-mapping of the location of the ankle, knee, and hip joints
• Reduced tension in the muscles of the neck and back
• Increased awareness of impulsive, habitual movements that cause pain
• Heightened ability to reduce tension with constructive thinking activities
• Education in the 'Active Rest' procedure - designed to align and calm the spine
• Improved walking and poise
• Training in specialized activities, such as using high-heels or other props
• Careful observation and improvement of the activities of stooping, lunging, lowering and rising from the floor

Links and Resources:

[Johns Hopkins:] The Alexander Technique: An Alternative Therapy for Chronic Back Pain  
[American Chiropractic Association:] Back Pain Facts (PDF)  
[British Medical Journal:]  Randomized controlled trial of Alexander Technique lessons, exercise, and massage for chronic and recurrent back pain   
[Oprah.com:] A Dramatic Cure for Back Pain  
[National Public Radio:] Alexander Technique: A Balm for Back Pain?  

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Home → Applications

Posture
In the Treatment of Scoliosis   
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For Actors and Performers   
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Swimming the Front Crawl   
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Back Pain Relief   
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Spirituality and Self-Development   

TESTIMONIAL

Through learning The Alexander Technique with Tuck, I can often release myself from back pain just by thinking my directions.”
  -Stephanie "Butterfly" Ray
                               Actor/Artist/Activist

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