Effect of Alexander Technique on Neck Pain and Quality of Life in Lactating Women

Effect of Alexander Technique on Neck Pain and Quality of Life in Lactating Women

This study will be conducted to investigate the effect of the Alexander technique on neck pain and quality of life in lactating women.

During breastfeeding, incorrect positioning and placement of hands to support the baby's weight can irritate the musculature of the hands. Repeating the same position frequently can lead to radiating pain in the elbows and hands. Additionally, adopting different postures to compensate for the pain while sitting, standing, or lying down can cause mechanical changes in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, altering the body's correct posture.

The Alexander Technique is a non-exercise approach focused on improving the modulation of postural muscle activity. It offers an individualized approach to developing skills that help people recognize, understand, and avoid poor habits that affect postural tone and neuromuscular coordination. Its lessons are associated with clinically relevant long-term reductions in neck pain and disability.

Some previous studies examined effect of Alexander technique on neck pain and on quality of life in different population, but in our knowledge this is the first study will be conducted to investigate effect of Alexander technique on neck pain and quality of life in lactating women, so this study will be conducted to provide an insight about the beneficial effect of the Alexander Technique on neck pain and quality of life in lactating women which will be of valuable benefits in the women's health field.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Lactating females experiencing neck pain (six weeks to 1year postpartum).
• Able to understand and follow the Alexander Technique instructions.
• Their age will be ranged from 20-35 years old.
• Their BMI will be less than 30 kg/m2 .
• Their pain level is ≥ 4 on numeric pain rating scale.
• They have mild disability on Neck Disability Index Questionnaire (NDI).
• They have limited cervical range of motion (the normal flexion range of motion is 80° to 90°, extension 70°, lateral flexion 20° to 45°, and rotation up to 90°).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Neck pain as consequence of disc protrusion or prolapse, whiplash, congenital deformity of the spine, spinal stenosis, neoplasm, inflammatory rheumatic disease, neurological disorder, and psychosis.
• Women who had invasive treatment of the spine within the previous three weeks, or spinal surgery or presence of neck history of trauma.
• Presence of contraindications to spinal movement, such as fracture or dislocation.