On 28 April, the first integrated training course began in Italy:
CARING FOR FIBROMYALGIA PATIENTS: A BRIDGE BETWEEN MEDICINE AND THE FELDENKRAIS METHOD®
An experimental programme that brought together doctors and Feldenkrais practioners with the aim of:
- developing a common language
- testing a shared model of care and training
- integrating conscious movement and clinical skills
- broadening perspectives on the treatment of fibromyalgia
📌 Course structure
- 5 synchronous and asynchronous online modules (clinical + somatic)
- 4 sharing meetings
- ATM® lessons for all participants
- pre/post data collection for professionals and patients
📊 Professional results
The course produced significant improvements in 8 out of 10 areas investigated.
In particular:
✔ greater knowledge of the Feldenkrais Method
✔ increased capacity for multidisciplinary collaboration
✔ reduction of theoretical prejudices about CAM
✔ enhanced appreciation of the role of the Feldenkrais teacher as a healthcare professional
The areas that remained stable were already high at the outset (e.g. doctors’ clinical knowledge).
📊 Patient results
The 24 patients with chronic pain/fibromyalgia who participated in the programme reported:
- 75% significant reduction in pain (p < 0.001)
- 65% improvement in quality of life (p < 0.01)
- 55% reduction in anxiety and depression (p < 0.05)
- 84% increase in energy and body awareness
- 90% overall satisfaction with the programme
- 94.7% consider the programme “enriching”
🗣 Quotes:
”I feel powerful.”
“For the first time, I feel like I can manage my body.”
🔍 Strengths
- Shared language among professionals with very different approaches
- Active and continuous participation of patients
- Overcoming initial resistance to somatic models
- High professional and personal satisfaction
⚠️ Critical issues that emerged
- Need for more extensive quantitative data and longitudinal analyses
- Complex management of mixed and asynchronous sessions
- Need to structure shared clinical and evaluation protocols
🌍 What now?
🇩🇪 In Germany, an adapted version of the programme has been proposed from September to November 2025, coordinated by partner FVD – Feldenkrais-Verband Deutschland e.V.Find out more: https://feldenkrais4life.eu/caring-for-fibromyalgia-patients-building-a-bridge-between-medicine-and-the-feldenkrais-method/
