Alexander Technique

For the Rex Orange County album, see The Alexander Technique (album).

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The Alexander Technique, named after its developer Frederick Matthias Alexander (1869–1955), is an alternative therapy based on the idea that poor posture causes a range of health problems.[1][2]: 221  The American National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health classifies it as a "psychological and physical" complementary approach to health when used "together with" mainstream conventional medicine.[3]

Alexander began developing his technique's principles in the 1890s[4] to address his own voice loss during public speaking.[2]: 34–35  He credited his method with allowing him to pursue his passion for performing Shakespearean recitations.[5]

Proponents and teachers of the Alexander Technique believe the technique can address a variety of health conditions, but there is a lack of research to support the claims.[6][7] As of 2021, the UK National Health Service and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) cite evidence that the Alexander Technique may be helpful for long-term back pain and for long-term neck pain, and that it could help people cope with Parkinson's disease.[7][8] Both the American health-insurance company Aetna and the Australian Department of Health have conducted reviews and concluded that there is insufficient evidence for the technique's health claims to warrant insurance coverage.[6][9]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference ee150 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference bloch was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference NCCIH3/10/2023 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Rootberg, Ruth (September 2007). Mandy Rees (ed.). "Voice and Gender and other contemporary issues in professional voice and speech training". Voice and Speech Review. 35 (1): 164–170. doi:10.1080/23268263.2007.10769755. S2CID 144810660.
  5. ^ Harer, John B.; Munden, Sharon (2008). The Alexander Technique Resource Book: A Reference Guide. Scarecrow Press. pp. xii–xiii. ISBN 978-0810863927. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  6. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference aus17 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b "Alexander Technique". National Health Service. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Parkinson's disease in adults". NICE. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Aetna was invoked but never defined (see the help page).