David Moore’s letter (“Our poor posture economy”, July 27) illustrates the size of the “back problem” in Europe in terms of the economy. It’s surprising that so little attention has been given to its prevention.
As long ago as the 1890s an Australian, Frederick Matthias Alexander, began looking at the human posture. He developed a technique that allowed muscle to lengthen and widen. This drastically improved movement and reduced back pain. George Bernard Shaw became a follower and in recent years Robert Redford and Paul McCartney adopted it.
At six feet tall and with constant back pain, it took me two years to pluck up the courage to go to an Alexander technique teacher. I wish I had gone sooner. There are no drugs involved, no side effects. University research shows it works.
It’s a pity that health services across the world spend so little money on such treatments. The economic value would be enormous both from a bigger active workforce and reduced sickness benefit costs.
Neil Riley
Dorking, Surrey, UK
