Correct Posture and Choice
Tue, 30/06/09 – 7:23 | One Comment

“A correct position or posture indicates a fixed position, and a person held to a fixed position cannot grow, as we understand growth. The correct position today cannot be the correct position a week later for any person who is advancing in the work of reeducation and coordination.

F.M. Alexander- Constructive Conscious Control of the Individual

During Alexander Technique lessons, people frequently sit up straight or move their head around and ask: is this right?” I answer differently in different situations, but the real answer might be: no. I don’t…

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Alexander Technique New York Times
Thu, 4/06/09 – 3:02 | No Comment

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The following questions and answers regarding the Alexander Technique appeared in the New York Times online June 1, 2009, 11:55 am

The Alexander Technique for Back Pain

A recent study in the British Medical Journal BMJ found that the Alexander Technique, a noninvasive method of adjusting body postures to relieve stresses, may aid in the treatment of back pain. New York Times reader Karen G. Krueger of New York City had some questions about that research. We contacted Paul Little, professor of primary care research at the U.K.’s University of Southampton and lead author of the BMJ study.

Question:

I have found that very few medical professionals in this country know about the Alexander Technique; I myself found it through a friend in the arts — the technique is widely taught in music conservatories and drama schools as a means of enhancing performance and avoiding injury. What can you tell readers about the Alexander Technique and how it works?

Answer:

The Alexander Technique involves a teacher using both gentle hand contact and verbal instruction to help patients learn to become aware of and avoid harmful habits of muscle use which may cause and maintain pain. The Alexander Technique is not a form of back exercise -– rather it is applied in everyday tasks like standing, walking, sitting at a desk or playing a musical instrument. We hypothesize that the Alexander Technique works through release of tension, decompression of the spine, more balanced muscle activity and improved flexibility.

Question:

In what circumstances should a back pain patient pursue the Alexander Technique (with or without an exercise program) as opposed to other, more invasive approaches, such as medication or surgery?

Answer:

I would recommend any patient try the technique before more invasive interventions; that is, patients with chronic or recurrent functional back pain where there are no clear “red flags,” such as progressive or multilevel neurological symptoms, steroid use or a recent history of trauma.

Question:

Have your studies demonstrating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Alexander Technique to treat back pain increased the profile and availability of the technique to patients in Britain?

Answer:

I think the profile has improved but not hugely — the medical establishment is inevitably slow and cautious about recommending new interventions when they perceive them to be novel.

Question:

The medical research establishment in the United States has begun to study various alternative health practices to address back pain and other chronic conditions for which traditional medical approaches have had limited success. What can you say about other “alternative” therapies for back pain?

Answer:

There is encouraging evidence in the short term for massage and yoga and also some evidence for acupuncture, and for chiropractic when combined with exercise regimens. In terms of “alternative therapies” for back pain, try and use something that is based in good research evidence.

The Alexander Technique has been around for many years. New York Times Personal Health columnist Jane E. Brody wrote about the technique back in 1990. To learn more about the latest research on the Alexander Technique and see a video of the practice, visit the BMJ site.

Mark Josefsberg Alexander Technique NYC

Oprah and Alexander Technique
Thu, 7/05/09 – 16:25 | No Comment
Oprah and Alexander Technique

 

                     

Oprah Story Sparks Interest in Alexander Technique for Back Pain Relief
It’s a nagging health problem that affects nearly every adult in Western society at least once in his or her lifetime. It ranks near the …

Low Back Pain
Sat, 17/01/09 – 4:59 | No Comment
Low Back Pain

One of the most painful positions for a person with low back pain is to be seated. We all tend to slump; putting ourselves in a ‘C curve’. Often times when we’re not slumping we’re sitting up rigidly straight with the idea of ‘good posture’. Neither of these positions…

Alexander Technique In The Cold
Sat, 17/01/09 – 4:51 | One Comment
Alexander Technique In The Cold

Cold Case
When we’re cold we tend to shorten our spines, though this is usually an unconscious action. We scrunch our necks in an effort to keep warm. I don’t know whether or not it keeps …

Back Pain Study Summary
Sat, 10/01/09 – 23:32 | One Comment
Back Pain Study Summary

Long-Term Relief for Lower-Back Pain
By Maureen Williams, ND
Healthnotes Newswire (March 12, 2009)—Few treatment options provide long-term relief to people suffering from back pain, one of the most common causes of disability in modern societies. Fortunately, …

Bad Posture
Fri, 9/01/09 – 6:21 | No Comment
Bad Posture

There have probably been 5000 articles written with the title ‘Your Mother Was Right’, when it comes to posture. The articles imply that mothers tell their children to ‘sit up straight!’ and that’s a good thing…or is it?

Alexander Technique and Stress
Mon, 5/01/09 – 3:00 | 2 Comments
Alexander Technique and Stress

As I was riding the subway on my way to teach some Alexander Technique lessons, an announcement was made over the PA system: Gr Grbrwr Kr gaggar.  Sometimes that’s what announcements sound like in the …

Top 20 Tension Relieving Tips
Sat, 3/01/09 – 5:51 | 3 Comments
Top 20 Tension Relieving Tips

1. Become aware, and then let go of the muscles in the back of your neck.

2. Think of your head moving up. (The crown of your head)

3. Slightly, slowly lower your nose.

How Not to Improve Posture
Fri, 2/01/09 – 5:10 | No Comment
How Not to Improve Posture

The Alexander Technique offers a different kind of posture training, a different kind of posture.You can apply the Alexander Technique to any situation. You can be more easeful, with less tension and compression. You will look like you have better posture.

5 Tips for better posture
Thu, 1/01/09 – 23:25 | No Comment
5 Tips for better posture

1.    Head in the clouds; feet on the earth. Think of the opposition of your head moving up, while your feet are releasing down. If you’re sitting, think of your head moving up and your …

Alexander Technique Lessons. #1-Computer Posture
Thu, 1/01/09 – 17:57 | One Comment
Alexander Technique Lessons. #1-Computer Posture

 ”People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their futures”
F.M. Alexander
 
  Alexander Technique Lessons. #1- Oppositions
 The one area people ask me about most concerns computer posture. We tend to collapse down …