Kinesiology Review 2024; 13:548-577
Hodges M, Cohen RG, Cacciatore TW
BRIEF SUMMARY
The understanding of pain has undergone a revolution in the past few decades, from a fairly simple biomedical model to a more wide-reaching bio-psycho-social one. This has implications for Alexander teachers, as our work is entirely congruent with the new understanding. This review by Alexander teachers and researchers, Mari Hodges, Tim Cacciatore and Rajal Cohen brings the reader up-to-date with the current understanding of pain science. They then go on to discuss how applying the Alexander Technique can enable people to reduce pain. It is likely that several different mechanisms are in play - from the active engagement of the whole person through inhibition and direction, to beneficial changes in postural tone.
See Alexander Studies Online for a video interview with the authors:
https://www.alexanderstudiesonline.com/blog/the-42nd-edition-of-the-aso-newsletter and
https://www.alexanderstudiesonline.com/blog/the-43rd-edition-of-the-aso-newsletter
PUBLISHED ABSTRACT
This article brings together research from the fields of pain science and Alexander Technique (AT) to investigate the mechanisms by which AT helps reduce pain. AT is a cognitive embodiment practice and a method for intentionally altering habitual postural behavior. Studies show that AT helps with various kinds of pain, although the mechanisms of pain reduction are currently not well understood. Advances in pain science may give insight into how this occurs. Modern interventions with efficacy for improving pain and function are consistent with active approaches within kinesiology. They also share similarities with AT and may have common mechanisms such as learning, mind-body engagement, normalization of sensorimotor function, improvement of psychological factors, and self-efficacy, as well as nonspecific treatment effects. AT likely has additional unique mechanisms, including normalization of muscle tone, neuronal excitability, and tissue loading, as well as alterations to body schema, attention redirection, and reduction in overall reactivity.