M?thode Feldenkrais?

Related Terms

Awareness Through Movement?, bodywork, Feldenkrais bodywork, Functional Integration?, gestalt synergy.

Background

The Feldenkrais Method? was developed by Moshe Feldenkrais (190-1984), a Russian-born Israeli physicist who was disabled from a knee injury. Dr. Feldenkrais called on his formal training in science and the martial arts to develop an approach that aimed to help the body move in more natural and comfortable ways.
The Feldenkrais Method? involves stretching, reaching, and changing posture in specific patterns. In some cases, it includes a form of massage. In general, the emphasis of the Feldenkrais Method? is to provide supportive therapy or physical rehabilitation. It has not historically been viewed as a cure for most diseases. Recently, the Feldenkrais Method? has been studied as a means to improve muscle and joint pain, to improve quality of life in chronic conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, and to reduce anxiety levels. Research is still early in these areas, without definitive answers.
The Feldenkrais Method? can only be offered by practitioners who have trained in accredited programs. Practitioners are registered with Feldenkrais guilds worldwide. In the United States and Canada, practice of the Feldenkrais method is not governmentally regulated.

Theory

The Feldenkrais Method? is based on the concept that improving patterns of movement may enhance overall physical and psychological performance or recovery from disabling conditions.
Two basic components of the Feldenkrais Method? include: Awareness Through Movement? and Functional Integration?. These approaches may be used alone or in combination with each other. Feldenkrais practitioners consider Awareness Through Movement? and Functional Integration? to be equivalent and complementary means of achieving improvements in movement patterns.
Awareness Through Movement? is an approach to body movement that is taught in group sessions by Feldenkrais practitioners. Practitioners verbally lead participants through a series of slow movement sequences that may involve everyday motions such as standing up, sitting down, or reaching, but may also involve abstract movements. These sessions often last between 30 and 60 minutes and may be customized to the ability of individual participants. There are hundreds of Awareness Through Movement? patterns, which vary in complexity and difficulty. The goals of Awareness Through Movement? are to increase awareness of what types of movements work best for a participant, to find sequences of movement to replace uncomfortable or habitual patterns, and to improve flexibility and coordination.
Functional Integration? involves a hands-on private session with a Feldenkrais practitioner. Participants are fully clothed and may be lying down, sitting, or standing. As with Awareness Through Movement?, the emphasis is on helping participants develop patterns of movement that are efficient and comfortable. The practitioner may touch the participant and move muscles and joints gently within the normal range of motion. Movement sequences are customized to the individual, and through touch, the practitioner may demonstrate new movement patterns. An aim of these sessions is to help identify patterns of movements that are natural and comfortable. It is believed that by leading the body through more functional patterns of movement, the body may learn to move in beneficial ways, resulting in improvements in everyday activities or in symptoms related to medical conditions. Sessions generally last from 30 to 60 minutes.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


It has been suggested that the Feldenkrais Method? may help improve unstable balance or function, but there is little available research.


 C


It has been suggested that the Feldenkrais Method? may help improve unstable balance or function, but there is little available research.


 C


There is not enough clinical evidence on the use of Feldenkrais for cerebral palsy.

C


There is not enough clinical evidence on the use of Feldenkrais for cerebral palsy.

C


Patients who practice complementary alternative medicine methods have reported that the Feldenkrais Method?, as well as breathing therapy, massage, and relaxation techniques helped improve symptoms of dystonia. Further data are needed to form therapeutic recommendations.

 C


Patients who practice complementary alternative medicine methods have reported that the Feldenkrais Method?, as well as breathing therapy, massage, and relaxation techniques helped improve symptoms of dystonia. Further data are needed to form therapeutic recommendations.

 C


Early research suggests that Awareness Through Movement? sessions may improve self-confidence in patients with eating disorders, although it is not clear if eating habits are affected. Further research is needed before a conclusion can be drawn.

 C


Early research suggests that Awareness Through Movement? sessions may improve self-confidence in patients with eating disorders, although it is not clear if eating habits are affected. Further research is needed before a conclusion can be drawn.

 C


The Feldenkrais Method? is popularly considered a useful treatment for chronic pain. However, clinical evidence of the efficacy of Feldenkrais in fibromyalgia is limited.

C


The Feldenkrais Method? is popularly considered a useful treatment for chronic pain. However, clinical evidence of the efficacy of Feldenkrais in fibromyalgia is limited.

C


Limited research suggests that Feldenkrais sessions may be helpful when added to other therapies for back pain and may have mild benefits when used alone.

 C


Limited research suggests that Feldenkrais sessions may be helpful when added to other therapies for back pain and may have mild benefits when used alone.

 C


Early research suggests that participation in a single Awareness Through Movement? session may reduce anxiety levels. Other research revealed improved mood among participants who enrolled in a one-year program that included the Feldenkrais Method?.

C


Early research suggests that participation in a single Awareness Through Movement? session may reduce anxiety levels. Other research revealed improved mood among participants who enrolled in a one-year program that included the Feldenkrais Method?.

C


Early evidence suggests that steadiness and comfort with daily movements, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and overall quality of life may improve in patients with multiple sclerosis who use Feldenkrais bodywork or participate in Awareness Through Movement? sessions. More research is necessary.

 C


Early evidence suggests that steadiness and comfort with daily movements, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and overall quality of life may improve in patients with multiple sclerosis who use Feldenkrais bodywork or participate in Awareness Through Movement? sessions. More research is necessary.

 C


In early studies of patients with nonspecific musculoskeletal disorders, Body Awareness Therapy? and Feldenkrais seemed to improve health-related quality of life. It is not clear if Feldenkrais is superior or equal to other forms of body movement therapy for musculoskeletal disorders in general, and little research is available.

C


In early studies of patients with nonspecific musculoskeletal disorders, Body Awareness Therapy? and Feldenkrais seemed to improve health-related quality of life. It is not clear if Feldenkrais is superior or equal to other forms of body movement therapy for musculoskeletal disorders in general, and little research is available.

C


Limited evidence suggests that Feldenkrais may reduce neck and shoulder pain, although additional research is necessary before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

 C


Limited evidence suggests that Feldenkrais may reduce neck and shoulder pain, although additional research is necessary before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

 C


There is not enough scientific evidence to assess the effects of Feldenkrais on physical functioning and well-being in the elderly.

C


There is not enough scientific evidence to assess the effects of Feldenkrais on physical functioning and well-being in the elderly.

C


The Feldenkrais Method? has been suggested as a potentially useful adjunct to rehabilitation or recovery after injury or surgery (in particular in patients with orthopedic injuries). Further research is necessary before a firm conclusion can be made.


 C


The Feldenkrais Method? has been suggested as a potentially useful adjunct to rehabilitation or recovery after injury or surgery (in particular in patients with orthopedic injuries). Further research is necessary before a firm conclusion can be made.


 C


There is not enough scientific evidence to assess the effects of Feldenkrais on voice disturbances.

 C


There is not enough scientific evidence to assess the effects of Feldenkrais on voice disturbances.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Safety

Many complementary techniques are practiced by healthcare professionals with formal training, in accordance with the standards of national organizations. However, this is not universally the case, and adverse effects are possible. Due to limited research, in some cases only limited safety information is available.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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