Lasting relief from back pain found after posture lessons
21.08.2008 20:01
Health
- Source: cbc.ca
Teaching people with chronic back pain how to improve their posture and co-ordination offers relief that lasts for more than a year, British researchers have found. The study of 579 patients looked at a combination of care from a family doctor, massage and lessons on the Alexander technique, in which patients are shown how to improve their posture and muscle co-ordination while sitting, standing and walking. In Wednesday's issue of the British Medical Journal, Prof. Debbie Sharp of the University of Bristol and her colleagues reported that patients trained on the Alexander technique suffered fewer days of back pain. After one year, the Alexander patients suffered an average of three days of back pain a month, compared with 21 days for those who went to their doctor regularly, in some cases for pain killers and exercise lessons. Those in the massage group experienced an average of 14 days of back pain a month. Participants who received the Alexander technique lessons also reported improved quality of life, such as the ability to walk at a normal pace. "Our study shows enduring benefits from lessons delivered by many different teachers," the study's authors concluded. Having six individualized lessons in the Alexander technique followed by exercise showed nearly as much benefit as 24 lessons in the technique alone, which suggests the long-term benefits are unlikely to result from placebo effects of attention and touch, the researchers said. In an editorial accompanying the study, Prof. Maurits van Tulder from VU University in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, called for more research to compare the Alexander technique with different types of exercise. It's estimated four out of five Canadians will experience back pain at some point in their lives, and it is a common reason for sick leaves. The Alexander technique was originally developed at the end of the 19th century by the Shakespearean actor Frederick Alexander, who discovered he was losing his voice because he was stiffening his body before speaking. Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKRelatedInternal LinksAcupuncture more effective than conventional treatments for back pain: studyExternal LinksRandomized control trial for back pain, British Medical Journal(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window) Health HeadlinesThrow out suspect meat: Ont. health officialIf you don't know where your deli meat came from, don't eat it, Ontario health officials advised Thursday as they investigated more deaths for links to an outbreak of listeriosis and said they expect more cases.Despite expanding diagnostic imaging, Canada lags behind other developed countriesCanada has significantly boosted its supply of diagnostic scanners since 2003 but the number still lags behind other developed countries.Japanese woman, 61, gives birth to own grandchild: reportA 61-year-old Japanese woman has given birth to her own granddaughter after being implanted with a fertilized egg donated by her daughter, a Tokyo newspaper reports.Quebec backs away from safe injection sites Quebec will hold off on plans to create a safe injection site, said the province's new health minister.Some doctors wary new CMA president will expand private deliverySome doctors say they're worried that the new president of the Canadian Medical Association will extend private delivery of health care. Incoming president Dr. Robert Ouellet runs a private medical imaging clinic in Laval and has called for a greater role for the private sector in delivering health care. Health FeaturesIN DEPTHFood safetyFrequently asked questions about listeriaASTHMABoys vs. girlsNew thinking about the disease in youngstersFOODHealthy barbecueAudio: Dr. Peter Lin on reducing cancer risks (6:35)IN DEPTHMental healthCanadians earn failing grade for attitudeIN DEPTHWest Nile  HEALTHMemorySurprising things that affect itPeople who read this also read …
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