Alexander Technique - Index Of Alternative Therapies And Modalities - Complementary & Alternative Medicine

Before engaging in any complementary medical technique, you should be aware that many of these techniques have not been evaluated in scientific studies. Often, only limited information is available about their safety and effectiveness. Each state and each discipline has its own rules about whether practitioners are required to be professionally licensed. If you plan to visit a practitioner, it is recommended that you choose one who is licensed by a recognized national organization and who abides by the organization's standards. It is always best to speak with your primary health care provider before starting any new therapeutic technique.

Background
Theory
Evidence
Unproven Uses
Potential Dangers
Summary
Resources

The Alexander technique is an educational program that aims to change habitual patterns of movement and posture that are thought to be harmful. Teachers of the Alexander technique guide clients ("students") through various movements using verbal directions and light touch. The goal of these sessions can be to improve coordination and balance, reduce tension, relieve pain, decrease fatigue, improve various medical conditions or promote well-being. Students are encouraged to use what they learn in everyday life. Actors, dancers and athletes use the Alexander technique to improve performance.

F.M. Alexander, an Australian-English actor, developed the Alexander technique. He believed that poor head and neck posture was the cause of his recurrent voice loss. He suggested that people be trained to alter harmful movement patterns and positions.

In 1964, the American Center for the Alexander Technique was founded to provide teaching certification. The certification process generally involves 1,600 hours of training over three years in an approved program. The North American Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique was established in 1987 to educate the public and to maintain standards for certification of teachers and training courses in the United States. The Alexander technique is taught at wellness centers, through health education programs and by individual teachers.

Basic beliefs underlying the Alexander technique are that musculoskeletal movements and relationships can directly affect other aspects of health or function and that beneficial movement patterns can be reinforced through repetition. The position of the head and spine is thought to be important in this approach. Many physiologists and behavioral scientists are advocates of musculoskeletal techniques similar to the Alexander technique, although there are few scientific studies of the Alexander technique specifically.

Scientists have studied the Alexander technique for the following health problems:

Lung function

A small amount of research reports improved lung function in musicians using the Alexander technique, although these studies are poorly designed and results are mixed. Better evidence is necessary to make any conclusion.

Balance

A small amount of research reports that lessons in the Alexander technique may improve balance in people older than 65 years. However, better-quality evidence is needed before a clear conclusion can be reached.

Temporomandibular joint chronic pain

Evidence is limited, and no firm conclusion can be drawn based on scientific research.

Back pain

Evidence is limited, and no firm conclusion can be drawn based on scientific research.

Parkinson's disease

A small amount of research reports that instruction in the Alexander technique may improve fine and gross movements and reduce depression in patients with Parkinson's disease. However, better evidence is necessary before a clear conclusion can be reached.

Posture in children

Evidence is limited, and no firm conclusion can be drawn based on scientific research. The long-term effects of such instruction in children are not known.

Asthma (chronic)

One review found that high-quality trials assessing the effects of Alexander technique on chronic asthma are lacking.

Stuttering

One lower-quality study has been conducted on the effects of Alexander technique on stuttering.

The Alexander technique has been suggested for many other uses, based on tradition or on scientific theories. However, these uses have not been thoroughly studied in humans, and there is limited scientific evidence about safety or effectiveness. Some of these suggested uses are for conditions that are potentially life-threatening. Consult with a health care provider before using the Alexander technique for any use.

Anxiety
Arthritis
Athletic performance
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Chronic bronchitis
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Cognitive performance enhancement
Coordination disorders
Depression
Digestive disorders
Epilepsy
Fibromyalgia
Flexibility
Frozen shoulder
Headache
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Hip pain
Hoarse voice
Joint disorders
Labor and delivery (improved breathing, relaxation)
Laryngitis
Leg cramps
Low energy

Lyme disease
Migraine
Multiple sclerosis
Neck pain
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Panic disorder
Performance anxiety
Physical endurance
Pregnancy (reduced back strain, less compression of internal organs or blood vessels, improved ability to rise from sitting position)
Repetitive strain injury
Rheumatic disorders
Sciatica
Scoliosis
Sleep disorders
Stiffness
Stomach ulcers (peptic ulcer disease)
Stress and stress-related problems
Stroke
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Tendonitis
Tennis elbow
Tension-related sexual disorders
Voice strain

Instruction or practice of the Alexander technique has not been associated with reports of severe complications. However, safety has not been studied systematically. Some practitioners believe that this technique may be less beneficial in people with mental illness or learning disabilities. Safety during pregnancy has not been established scientifically, although the Alexander technique has been used by pregnant women and during delivery without reports of complications.

Do not rely on the Alexander technique alone as an approach to treat medical conditions. Speak with your health care provider if you are considering using the Alexander technique.

The Alexander technique has been used to address several health issues, but it has not been proven effective for any specific condition. Do not rely on the Alexander technique alone to treat a potentially severe medical condition. Speak with your health care provider if you are considering using the Alexander technique.

The information in this monograph was prepared by the professional staff at Natural Standard, based on thorough systematic review of scientific evidence. The material was reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School with final editing approved by Natural Standard.

Natural Standard: An organization that produces scientifically based reviews of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) topics
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): A division of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services dedicated to research

Natural Standard has reviewed all of the currently available medical literature to prepare the professional monograph from which this version was created.

Some of the more recent studies are listed below:

Cacciatore TW, Horak FB, Henry SM. Improvement in automatic postural coordination following alexander technique lessons in a person with low back pain. Phys Ther 2005;85(6):565-578.
Dennis J. Alexander technique for chronic asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;(2):CD000995.
Ernst E, Canter PH. The Alexander technique: a systematic review of controlled clinical trials. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd 2003;10(6):325-329.
Stallibrass C, Sissons P, Chalmers C. Randomized controlled trial of the Alexander technique for idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Clin Rehabil 2002;Nov, 16(7):695-708.
Wei S, Fu MK. Posttreatment stability of four first bicuspid extraction cases treated with the Alexander technique: model analysis. Zhonghua Kou Qiang Yi Xue Za Zhi 2005;Jul, 40(4):271-274.