Feldenkrais Method: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

The Feldenkrais method was developed by Moshe Feldenkrais, an Israeli physicist. It involves gentle stretching and changing posture to teach the body to move naturally and comfortably.

The Feldenkrais method has been used to reduce pain and improve mobility in conditions such as chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

When practicing the Feldenkrais method, self-awareness is used to determine which bodily movements are easier and take less effort. This practice is thought to reduce pain and improve mobility by increasing awareness, relaxation, and efficient movements.

How does it work ?

When practicing the Feldenkrais method, self-awareness is used to determine which bodily movements are easier and take less effort. This practice is thought to reduce pain and improve mobility by increasing awareness, relaxation, and efficient movements.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

Back pain. Early research shows that practicing the Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement method reduces back pain.
Fall prevention. Early research shows that practicing the Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement method seems to reduce fear of falling and improve some measures of mobility in older adults.
Fibromyalgia. Early research shows that practicing the Feldenkrais method improves balance and muscle function in people with fibromyalgia.
Learning disabilities. Early research shows that practicing the Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement method improves physical ability in people with learning disabilities.
Multiple sclerosis (MS). Early research shows that receiving Feldenkrais bodywork reduces stress and anxiety, but does not improve symptoms, in people with MS.
Neck pain. Early research shows that practicing the Feldenkrais method reduces neck pain in people that are visually impaired and have long-term neck pain.
Parkinson disease. Early research shows that practicing the Feldenkrais method improves quality of life and depression in people with Parkinson disease.
Quality of life. Early research shows that one Feldenkrais method class reduces anxiety and improves mood in healthy people.

More evidence is needed to rate the Feldenkrais method for these uses.

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

The Feldenkrais method is LIKELY SAFE when used appropriately. There are no known safety concerns.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if the Feldenkrais method is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. But there's no reason to believe that it might be harmful in people who are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Interactions

We currently have no information for Feldenkrais Method overview.

Dosing

There are two main types of the Feldenkrais method: Awareness Through Movement (ATM) and Functional Integration (FI). ATM involves group exercises taught by a Feldenkrais professional. FI is a one-on-one class where a Feldenkrais professional uses their hands to guide a person's movements.

The Feldenkrais method teaches people to move with awareness and to choose the movement that is the easiest and least painful to perform.

View References

REFERENCES:

Ohry, A. and Tsafrir, J. David Ben-Gurion, Moshe Feldenkrais and Raymond Arthur Dart. Isr.Med Assoc J 2000;2(1):66-67.

Kendall, S. A., Ekselius, L., and Gerdle, B. Feldenkrais intervention in fibromyalgia patients: a pilot study. J Musculoskel Pain 2001;9(4):25-35.

Smith, A. L., Kolt, G. S., and McConville, J. C. The effect of the Feldenkrais Method on pain and anxiety in people experiencing chronic low back pain. NZ J Physiother 2001;29(1):6-14.

Netz, Y. and Lidor, R. Mood alterations in mindful versus aerobic exercise modes. J Psychol. 2003;137(5):405-419.

Johnson, S. K., Frederick, J., Kaufman, M., and Mountjoy, B. A controlled investigation of bodywork in multiple sclerosis. J Altern Complement Med 1999;5(3):237-243.

Barrett, B. Complementary and alternative medicine: what's it all about? WMJ. 2001;100(7):20-26.

Lundqvist LO, Zetterlund C, Richter HO. Effects of Feldenkrais method on chronic neck/scapular pain in people with visual impairment: a randomized controlled trial with one-year follow-up. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2014;95(9):1656-61.

Paolucci T, Zangrando F, Iosa M, et al. Improved interoceptive awareness in chronic low back pain: a comparison of Back school versus Feldenkrais method. Disabil Rehabil. 2017;39(10):994-1001.

Teixeira-Machado L, Araújo FM, Cunha FA, Menezes M, Menezes T, Melo DeSantana J. Feldenkrais method-based exercise improves quality of life in individuals with Parkinson's disease: a controlled, randomized clinical trial. Altern Ther Health Med. 2015;21(1):8-14.

Torres-Unda J, Polo V, Dunabeitia I, et al. The Feldenkrais Method improves functioning and body balance in people with intellectual disability in supported employment: A randomized clinical trial. Res Dev Disabil. 2017;70:104-112.

Ullmann G, Williams HG, Hussey J, Durstine JL, McClenaghan BA. Effects of Feldenkrais exercises on balance, mobility, balance confidence, and gait performance in community-dwelling adults age 65 and older. J Altern Complement Med. 2010;16(1):97-105.

Vrantsidis F, Hill KD, Moore K, Webb R, Hunt S, Dowson L. Getting Grounded Gracefully: effectiveness and acceptability of Feldenkrais in improving balance. J Aging Phys Act. 2009;17(1):57-76.

Hillier S, Worley A. The effectiveness of the feldenkrais method: a systematic review of the evidence. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:752160.

Ahmadi H, Adib H, Selk-Ghaffari M, et al. Comparison of the effects of the Feldenkrais method versus core stability exercise in the management of chronic low back pain: a randomised control trial. Clin Rehabil 2020;34(12):1449-1457.

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