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Improvement in Automatic Postural Coordination Following Alexander Technique Lessons in a Person With Low Back Pain

TW Cacciatore, PhD, is Postdoctoral Fellow, Neurological Sciences Institute, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, Ore
FB Horak, PT, PhD, is Senior Scientist, Neurological Sciences Institute, Oregon Health & Sciences University
SM Henry, PT, PhD, is Associate Professor in Physical Therapy, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vt

Address all correspondence to Dr Cacciatore at 505 NW 185th Ave, Mail Code NSI, Beaverton, OR 97006 (USA) (cacciato{at}ohsu.edu)

Background and Purpose. The relationship between abnormal postural coordination and back pain is unclear. The Alexander Technique (AT) aims to improve postural coordination by using conscious processes to alter automatic postural coordination and ongoing muscular activity, and it has been reported to reduce low back pain. This case report describes the use of the AT with a client with low back pain and the observed changes in automatic postural responses and back pain. Case Description. The client was a 49-year-old woman with a 25-year history of left-sided, idiopathic, lumbrosacral back pain. Automatic postural coordination was measured using a force plate during horizontal platform translations and one-legged standing. Outcomes. The client was tested monthly for 4 months before AT lessons and for 3 months after lessons. Before lessons, she consistently had laterally asymmetric automatic postural responses to translations. After AT lessons, the magnitude and asymmetry of her responses and balance improved and her low back pain decreased. Discussion. Further research is warranted to study whether AT lessons improve low back pain-associated abnormalities in automatic postural coordination and whether improving automatic postural coordination helps to reduce low back pain.

Key Words: Back pain • Balance • Motor control • Motor learning • Posture