Treat lower back pain using the Alexander technique
Most people will suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives, with many experiencing it frequently.
The Alexander technique has been around since the 19th century, but recent research has shown that this simple treatment for lower back pain can help to reduce the severity of the condition.
What is lower back pain?
Lower back pain is a common condition in the UK with the majority of adults likely to suffer from it at some point in their lives.
It is generally related to poor posture, which is caused mainly from sitting at a desk or driving in the wrong position. Poor posture is usually traced to over tensed neck muscles, which can be from stress or emotional problems.
Back pain is also becoming more common in children and young adults with high heels and playing computer games the main causes of lower back pain in young people.
Suffering from lower back pain, especially if it is recurrent, can affect everyday activities and is one of the most common reasons of sickness absence from work in the UK, with five million lost work days and costing the UK economy £5bn every year.
What is the Alexander technique and how does it work?
The Alexander technique is a method for teaching improved posture to ease lower back pain by correctly aligning the head, neck and back muscles.
The Alexander technique was developed in the 1890s by actor Frederick Matthias Alexander, who suffered from voice and breathing problems, which he attributed to his poor posture. By straining his vocal chords, he caused tension in his head, neck and back, creating poor posture and lower back pain.
It involves teaching the individual to move and hold their body correctly, using frequently forgotten muscles to help balance and posture. Patients are instructed to think of the neck muscles lengthening and softening to help release muscular tension. This allows the head to be freed and rise to balance on top of the spine. It can also give some people an added inch in height.
Everyone has a different posture, so the Alexander technique assesses the person’s posture and movements, aiming to release tension from the head, neck and spine to improve musculoskeletal movement.
The Alexander technique can also be used to help pregnant women cope with labour pain and lower back pain caused by pregnancy.
Although this treatment for lower back pain has been taught in the UK since 1904, little research has been done into its effectiveness. A study has been carried out by researchers at the universities of Southampton and Bristol on behalf of the British Medical Journal.
It studied over 500 patients with lower back pain and split the group into various treatments. Those that had been given the Alexander technique combined with exercise found significant improvements on the severity and frequency of lower back pain.
The Alexander technique treatment for lower back pain is not currently available on the NHS, but one-on-one treatment sessions with a private professional are inexpensive.
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Ensuring a correct posture is vital to reducing lower back pain and this can be done by using a variety of products, which aim to encourage correct posture.
Using a lumbar roll, such as the McKenzie Original Roll, provides firm support to the lower back and encourages correct postures. Lumbar rolls are useful while sitting at a desk at work and while driving.
McKenzie also offer lumbar rolls, which can be used while you sleep to provide support and prevent awkward positions during sleep.
There are various seats, cushions and wedges that can be used to improve posture and reduce lower back pain in every day life. They help to provide stability to the back and neck, and puts the spine in the correct position.
Another treatment for lower back pain is by wearing a back support to provide continuous support to the lower back. The Vulkan Back Support provides firm stability to the back muscles and can help to encourage correct posture, as well as reduce lower back pain.
