Back to basics

A report in the British Medical Journal suggests that people who suffer from chronic back pain can find relief through the Alexander technique which encourages the user to adopt good (better?) posture. The study, which followed over 400 back pain sufferers over a year, reported the following "treatments" and pain/days per month (pdm): GP care - including regular consultations, pain killer and exercise regimes - 21 pdm; massages - 14 pdm; Alexander (6 lessons)- 11 pdm; Alexander (24 lessons) 3 pdm. As reported by the BBC: Lead researcher Professor Debbie Sharp said using the Alexander technique should provide help to most people with back pain. She added: "Lessons in the Alexander technique offer an individualised approach to develop skills that help people recognise, understand, and avoid poor habits affecting postural tone and neuromuscular coordination. It can potentially reduce back pain by limiting muscle spasm, strengthening postural muscles, improving coordination and flexibility, and decompressing the spine."

It may not be as successful for everyone of course. Or you may wish to resort to technology (don't say you didn't know that was coming!) to alleviate bad postural back pain. The iPosture - a wearable intelligent nano-sensor - is a 1-inch; (2.54cm) button which the makers suggest you can wear as a pendant, stuck to you, or attached to your clothes. It automatically senses when the body slouches and starts vibrating to alert you to correct your posture. The iPosture's site suggests the following reasons why we should all invest in it when it comes on the market (soon) - for $US99.95:

• Women with improved posture become more attractive.
• Men with good posture are seen as more successful.
• Waist size is reduced an average of 2 inches in women who improve their posture
• People with good posture are more productive.

Surprisingly, you have to dig a little deeper into their site for the suggested health benefits:

• People with good posture are generally happier and more confident
• Women with good posture are less prone to osteoporosis fractures
• Men with good posture are twice as likely to keep their balance and function as they age
• Posture correction and exercises can be more effective than other medical modalities for the prevention and treatment of back pain .