Feldenkrais method
Alternate names: Awareness Through Movement, Feldenkrais Bodywork, Functional Integration, Gestalt Synergy
Background
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.
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.
Safety Safety definitions
The Feldenkrais method is LIKELY SAFE when used appropriately. There are no known safety concerns.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
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.Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- 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.
Dosing & administration
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.
The Feldenkrais method teaches people to move with awareness and to choose the movement that is the easiest and least painful to perform.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if this treatment interacts with any medicines. Before using this treatment, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
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.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 26/08/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 28/11/2021 07:08:19. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
