Over many years Private Health Insurers have actively promoted cover for natural therapy services as part of their insurance packages. There is now a threat that funding for these options may be removed from ancillary cover, adversely impacting on the wellness of Australians.

In 2014, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) completed a draft review of the evidence for 17 natural therapies currently covered under private health insurance. The Feldenkrais Method was included in the scope of the review.

As part of the review process, the Australian Feldenkrais Guild Inc (AFG) provided a 90-page submission to the Chief Medical Officer, and representatives attended the review panel in Canberra. The submission reported in detail the growing evidence for the Feldenkrais Method as a safe, non-invasive and cost effective alternative. The submission is available for download from http://www.feldenkrais.org.au/literature/2015/01/review-australian-government-regate-private-health-insurance-natural-therapies-fe

A recent systematic review of research found there is emerging evidence that the Feldenkrais Method is beneficial for people who are interested in improving their balance and in improving their level of physical functioning after pain or disability.

The Feldenkrais Method offers an effective approach, based on sound principles of movement science, for people who have been unable to regain optimal personal functioning with standard approaches. It has helped thousands of people to reclaim productive lives.

The AFG calls on the Federal Health Minister and Department of Health to retain the private health insurance rebate for the Feldenkrais Method as a safe and cost effective alternative to drug and surgical interventions, and as a preventive health strategy.