     
back pain a stiff neck aching shoulders poor posture sports injuries breathing difficulties stiff joints stress ...and other treatments haven't helped, or only brought temporary relief... The Alexander Technique could be the answer to your problem. Your condition could be caused by how you stand, sit, walk and run. Traditional therapies may treat the symptom, but often fail to address the real cause - habit. Yet if you don't change how you move and hold yourself, the aches and pains will inevitably return. what is the alexander technique?
It only takes a few seconds, and you can do it right now whilst at your desk. You might be surprised at the result! Did you try it? If you found you used more effort than necessary, you're not alone. The majority of adults trying this test will use excessive effort to perform this everyday movement. so what have my movement habits got to do
If you drive your car badly, it will eventually cause mechanical problems. You can take it to your local garage to get it fixed - but as soon as you drive away, you'll start the process all over again. |
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If you tightened your neck, shoulders or lower back in the experiment with the chair, you'll likely be 'misusing' your muscles in other activities.
Most muscle aches and pains are due to fatigue. If your lower back muscles are over-used when standing, sitting or moving, they'll soon get tired and begin to ache.
Treatment such as physiotherapy, osteopathy or chiropractic will help to alleviate your condition (just as the car mechanic mentioned earlier). But if how you use your muscles is the cause - you'll be back on the treatment
table before long.
how can the alexander technique help me?
It's important to state at this point, The Alexander Technique is not a form of treatment - it's an educational method.To return to the car analogy, if a physiotherapist is the car mechanic, an Alexander Technique teacher would be the driving instructor.
During an Alexander Technique lesson, the teacher will look at how you move, stand, sit, walk, run or play your sport, and find what it is you may be doing, that could be the cause of your problem.
With gentle touch and verbal feedback, a teacher will help you to first recognise your poor habits, and then show you how to correct them.
Very few exercises are used - so you don't have to set aside your valuable time to do exercises. We focus on every day activities and how you can use less effort to relieve your muscles of unnecessary work.
When you apply what you've learnt in the lesson, you'll notice the difference quickly. Many people learning the technique say they feel lighter, taller and find movement easier.
is the alexander technique recognised
by the medical profession?
The Alexander Technique is a subtle and simple approach to a complex problem. Our methods at times may seem subtle, but rest assured, the techniques are based on sound scientific research and have been proven to deliver long-term results1.
 Roy Palmer MSTAT |
To qualify to teach the Alexander Technique, an individual needs to complete a full-time, three-year course in movement, habits, reflexes and muscles.
So if you're interested and would like to find out more, please contact me today to discuss your requirements. I teach at clinics in Bedford, Godmanchester, Milton Keynes, Northampton and Olney - for details of venues, please click here.
Reference:
1. Randomised controlled trial of Alexander Technique lessons, exercise, and massage (ATEAM) for chronic and recurrent back pain. BMJ 2008; 337 doi: 10.1136/bmj.a884 (Published 19 August 2008). Conclusions: One to one lessons in the Alexander technique from registered teachers have long term benefits for patients with chronic back pain. Six lessons followed by exercise prescription were nearly as effective as 24 lessons. For more information see Alexander Technique Research
