What is Feldenkrais?

The Feldenkrais Method® is a body education system based on physics, neurology and bio-mechanics.　The Feldenkrais Method works to improve posture, flexibility, co-ordination and to alleviate chronic pain and tension (including back pain).

The Feldenkrais Method was devised by Moshe Feldenkrais (1904–1984) a Russian-born Israeli physicist and engineer who was also an active soccer player and judo master. Motivated by pain from his own injuries, Feldenkrais devised a method of re-educating the neuromuscular system and re-evaluating movement to increase efficiency and reduce stress, using his knowledge of mechanics and engineering and applying some of his martial arts training.

There has been some research to date supporting the efficacy of the Feldenkrais Method. Here is a brief summary of some of these studies:

Some Feldenkrais Research (with references)

Chronic Pain
Patients who had been experiencing chronic pain (mainly musculo-skeletal pain and headaches) went through a six week Awareness Through Movement® (ATM) course. The study found an increased mobility in participants with a significant decrease in pain both immediately after the course, and in a one-year follow-up.

Dearman, D. and Shafarman, S. The Feldenkrais Method® in the Treatment Awareness Through Movement of Chronic Pain: A Study of Efficacy and Cost Effectiveness. American Journal of Pain Management, 1999; 9:22-27.

Injury
A study showed that Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement and Functional Integration® helped patients avoid developing protective, maladaptive patterns in response to an injury. The study indicated that Feldenkrais can be instrumental in helping patients form beneficial and adaptive patterns during recovery by integrating total body movement into the rehabilitation process.

Chinn, J., Trujillo, D., Kegerreis, S., Worrell, T. Effect of a Feldenkrais Intervention on Symptomatic Subjects Performing a Functional Reach. Isokinetics and Exercise Science. 1994, 4(4): 131-136.

Low Back Pain
This study involved participants receiving four Feldenkrais sessions with 76% of participants with chronic low back pain improving to normal activity.

Lake, Bernard. Photoanalysis of Standing Posture in Controls and Low Back Pain: Effects of Kinesthetic Processing (Feldenkrais Method) in Posture and Gait: Control Mechanisms VII. eds. M Woollocott and F Horak, U of Oregon Press, 1992, pp 400- 403.

Neck & Shoulder Pain
Over thirty normal female industrial workers took part in a neck and shoulder pain study, involving their participation in six weeks of Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement classes. The study showed increased range of motion in a neck flexion task, significant positive changes in the neck-shoulders-index and decreases in complaints with respect to the neck and shoulders.

Lundblad, I., Elert, J., Gerdle, B. Randomized controlled trial of physiotherapy and Feldenkrais interventions in female workers with neck-shoulder complaints. J. Occupat Rehab 9(3): 179-94, 1999.

Ruth, S., Kegerreis, S. Facilitating Cervical Flexion Using a Feldenkrais Method: Awareness Through Movement. J Sports Phys Ther.16(1): 25-29, 1992.