Keeping your back in mind

Teaching the Alexander Technique for Postural Education

Sciatica, arthritis, spinal fusion, degeneration, stenosis, scoliosis, injury …

When I am teaching back pain education, this is the beginning of a long list of complaints, all telling individual stories of pain and suffering.

Recent research shows that the Alexander Technique is the most effective non-invasive method for long term relief from back pain.  Developed over 100 years ago by F.M. Alexander it soon became evident that by restoring innate body mechanisms students gained much more than better posture. Alexander discovered that the relationship of the head, neck and back were of primary importance to restore physiological functioning of the whole body, in areas like breathing, digestion, circulation, mood and sleep.

A few months ago Ana came for a first lesson and told me about the severe sciatica that had been plaguing her for months. I saw that she leaned awkwardly towards one side away from her pain. During the next few weeks we explored her ways of sitting, standing and walking in weekly lessons. "I feel as if all my weight was lifted from my back -as if I were an ornament hanging from the eiling" she said one day as her body was better aligned and freed. Now Ana has been coming to see me for almost six months, she can walk awithout pain, and sits "on her sitting bones" no longer putting her entire body in pain because of her narrowed back.

We are usually unaware of the physical habits we have unconsciously acquired over a lifetime of learning, imitation and adaptation to stress or injury. Our increased muscular tension can be compared to driving a car with the emergency brakes on. The spine is quite sensitive to muscular shortening and compression, but likewise it is accessible to an upward release and organization of the vertebrae.

In my Alexander Technique lessons I will help you find out how postural misalignment, unconscious habit and daily stress contribute to your back trouble. You will have some lessons on a massage table, guided by gentle touch and words to increase body awareness. Other lessons will focus on daily activities like sitting, walking, bending for housework, computer and manual work. You will learn how to adapt your sleeping posture for better rest positions and we will increase stability in your torso, develop strength in your legs and improve balance.

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