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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
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Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control
Published on: September 11, 2019
Increased dynamic regulation of postural tone through Alexander Technique training
T W Cacciatore1, V S Gurfinkel, F B Horak
1Neurological Sciences Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA. t.cacciatore@ion.ucl.ac.uk
Human Movement Science
|December 28, 2010
Summary
Long-term Alexander Technique (AT) training enhances dynamic postural tone modulation in adults. Short-term AT training also reduced low back pain by decreasing trunk and hip stiffness.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomechanics
- Physical Therapy
Background:
- Healthy adults dynamically adjust postural muscle tone, inversely related to axial stiffness.
- The Alexander Technique (AT) is a training method involving long-term practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if dynamic axial postural tone modulation changes with training.
- To compare AT teachers (long-term training) with controls.
- To assess short-term AT training effects on low back pain (LBP) patients.
Main Methods:
- Measured axial postural tone resistance (neck, trunk, hips) to slow torsional rotation during stance.
- Quantified tone modulation via torque (peak-to-peak, phase-advance, variability) and EMG.
- Compared AT teachers to matched controls and assessed LBP patients before/after 10-week AT intervention vs. control.
Main Results:
- AT teachers exhibited lower peak-to-peak torque (∼50%) and enhanced phase-advance and variability compared to controls.
- Short-term AT training reduced trunk and hip stiffness in LBP subjects compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Long-term AT training enhances dynamic modulation of axial postural tone.
- Short-term AT training may reduce stiffness and alleviate low back pain.
- Dynamic postural tone modulation enhancement via AT training offers a potential therapeutic direction.
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