Perspectives on the Feldenkrais Method

The Feldenkrais method (FM) is a process that uses verbally and manually guided exploration of novel movements to improve individuals’ self-awareness and coordination. This paper reviews recent literature evaluating the therapeutic value of the FM for improving balance, mobility, and coordination and its effectiveness for management of chronic pain. The authors also explore and discuss studies that have investigated some of the other bodily effects and possible mechanisms of action, such as (a) the process of learning itself, (b) focus of attention during motor learning, (c) autonomic regulation, and (d) body image. They found that research clearly supports the effectiveness of the FM for improvement of balance and chronic pain management. The exploration into mechanisms of action raises interesting questions and possibilities for further investigation.

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Central mechanisms of muscle tone regulation: implications for pain and performance

Cacciatore,

Anderson,

Cohen

2024

Front. Neurosci.

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Muscle tone represents a foundational property of the motor system with the potential to impact musculoskeletal pain and motor performance. Muscle tone is involuntary, dynamically adaptive, interconnected across the body, sensitive to postural demands, and distinct from voluntary control. Research has historically focused on pathological tone, peripheral regulation, and contributions from passive tissues, without consideration of the neural regulation of active tone and its consequences, particularly for neurologically healthy individuals. Indeed, simplistic models based on the stretch reflex, which neglect the central regulation of tone, are still perpetuated today. Recent advances regarding tone are dispersed across different literatures, including animal physiology, pain science, motor control, neurology, and child development. This paper brings together diverse areas of research to construct a conceptual model of the neuroscience underlying active muscle tone. It highlights how multiple tonic drive networks tune the excitability of complex spinal feedback circuits in concert with various sources of sensory feedback and in relation to postural demands, gravity, and arousal levels. The paper also reveals how tonic muscle activity and excitability are disrupted in people with musculoskeletal pain and how tone disorders can lead to marked pain and motor impairment. The paper presents evidence that integrative somatic methods address the central regulation of tone and discusses potential mechanisms and implications for tone rehabilitation to improve pain and performance.

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Perspectives on the Feldenkrais Method

Cited by 3 publications

References 47 publications

Somatic Movement Intervention Among Older Adults To Improve Body Awareness And Spine Mobility: A Pilot Study

Somatic Movement Intervention Among Older Adults To Improve Body Awareness And Spine Mobility: A Pilot Study

Evidence for the Effectiveness of the Feldenkrais Method

Central mechanisms of muscle tone regulation: implications for pain and performance

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