Evidence & Research
The principles of the Alexander Technique have been scientifically tested and evidenced to work with a variety of conditions.
A few important studies are briefly outlined below.
British Medical Journal proves effectiveness of the Alexander Technique
Exciting research has been published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) that proves that the Alexander Technique is an effective treatment for long-term back pain – better than painkillers, physiotherapy, massage or exercise alone.
The Study was published in the BMJ on 20 August 2008 – see links below for the full publication, newspaper articles and to watch a video made by the study team. There have more recently been follow-up studies that confirm this result.
Study finds the Alexander Technique beneficial for the management of pain
A high quality clinical trial carried out in an experimental setting has demonstrated the therapeutic value and effectiveness of Alexander Technique lessons for chronic back pain. The findings of the research, published in June 2012 by the University of the West of England (UWE), suggest that the Alexander Technique is feasible, acceptable, and beneficial in terms of improving quality of life and improving patients management of pain.
For example, more than half the pain clinic patients involved in the Study stopped or reduced their medication (reducing the pain-related costs to the NHS by half). Learning the Technique also led to behaviour change and changes in awareness and self-knowledge which further reduced the impact that the pain had on their daily life.
Taking Charge; Choosing a New Direction. A Service Evaluation of Alexander Technique Lessons for Pain Clinic Patients (SEAT): an Approach to Pain Management
New hope for people who suffer from neck pain
A high quality clinical trial carried out in an experimental setting has demonstrated the therapeutic value and effectiveness of Alexander Technique lessons for chronic back pain. The findings of the research, published in June 2012 by the University of the West of England (UWE), suggest that the Alexander Technique is feasible, acceptable, and beneficial in terms of improving quality of life and improving patients management of pain.
For example, more than half the pain clinic patients involved in the Study stopped or reduced their medication (reducing the pain-related costs to the NHS by half). Learning the Technique also led to behaviour change and changes in awareness and self-knowledge which further reduced the impact that the pain had on their daily life.
ATLAS Study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine; MacPherson H. and Various
Evidence for the effectiveness of Alexander Technique lessons in medical and health-related conditions: a systematic review
The aim of this review was to systematically evaluate available evidence for the effectiveness and safety of instruction in the Alexander Technique in health-related conditions.
The study concluded that: Strong evidence exists for the effectiveness of Alexander Technique lessons for chronic back pain and moderate evidence in Parkinson’s-associated disability. Preliminary evidence suggests that Alexander Technique lessons may lead to improvements in balance skills in the elderly, in general chronic pain, posture, respiratory function and stuttering, but there is insufficient evidence to support recommendations in these areas.
Woodman J.P., Moore N.R. International Journal of Clinical Practice January 2012
Other Research
The Parkinson’s Disease Society has funded research into the Alexander Technique, as has The Foundation for Integrated Medicine.
The Migraine Trust, Dyspraxia Foundation, Marfan Trust, Scoliosis Association (UK), and many other patients’ self-help groups acknowledge the value of the Technique.
The British Association for Performing Arts Medicine endorses the value of the Technique in the management of performers’ medical problems. Leading specialists in the field routinely refer their patients for Alexander lessons for a wide variety of disorders. The Technique is taught routinely in all the major drama schools.
Alexander Technique Science – a fabulous team of scientists providing data for evidence based working.
The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT) website has a range of other research papers also.
Several teaching hospitals include the Alexander Technique in their study modules and there are a growing number of Alexander Teachers working in hospital clinics and GP surgeries.