Articles tagged with: Back Pain
The Alexander Technique For Dummies is a slight put-down. ‘Calculus For Dummies’, ‘Biology For Dummies’, ‘Basket Weaving For Dummies’ , ”The Alexander Technique For Dummies’ are all slight put-downs. I realize these titles actually mean for beginners, but ‘For Dummies’ is a derogatory term. The only ‘For Dummies’ book I can think of that would not a put down and would, in fact, be uplifting and inspirational would be ‘Ventriloquism For Dummies’…
When people ask me: “what are the benefits of the Alexander Technique?”, or “how will the Alexander Technique benefit me?”, I ask “what benefits do you want to get from the Alexander Technique?” I have to ask this because the number of benefits of the Alexander Technique are large, and different for everyone.
The first, most important benefit of the Alexander Technique is… it works. The Alexander Technique works because…
Most Alexander Technique teachers avoid delving deeply into the psychological aspects of back pain and neck pain. As Alexander Technique teachers, we are usually more concerned with how we use ourselves, body and mind. Alexander teachers help their students replace harmful postural habits with beneficial ones, and teach how to use Alexander Technique principles in any circumstance.
There are various causes of back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain, and it stands to reason that negative emotions could be one. Dr. John Sarno, in his book ‘Healing Back Pain’, indicates that “tension myositis syndrome, or TMS, is the major cause of the common syndromes of pain involving the neck, shoulders, back, buttocks and limbs.
“It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it. The Alexander Technique is the how of how you do anything.” Those phrases have been spoken countless times by Alexander Technique teachers at Alexander Technique lessons. The Alexander Technique is the how of everything you do. It’s how you sit at the computer, more than just that you’re sitting at the computer, that might lead to bad posture, neck pain, back pain, or shoulder pain. As an Alexander Technique teacher I help people sit at the computer, stand, and walk, with more ease and less tension. This results in improved posture, pain relief, and an overall sense of well-being.
There is also another angle, however, regarding how you use the Alexander Technique; it’s what you don’t do…
Do Alexander Technique Teachers Accept insurance?
This question comes up quite frequently with people inquiring about lessons in the Alexander Technique. And why not. One way or the other we pay quite a lot for health insurance. Most health insurance companies here in New York State will not pay for Alexander Technique lessons…
If you have back pain or neck pain, health insurance companies will cover doctors who might prescribe painkillers or muscle relaxers, and then refer you to physical therapists. If that doesn’t work the next stop is surgery. While physical therapists can be great for some problems, they are not always the answer.
How can the Alexander Technique correct sitting posture?
Let’s start with some Alexander Technique directions. We’ll start with ‘free your neck’. See if you can let go of some excess, unnecessary tension in your neck. Correct sitting posture starts with releasing these shortened muscles so that they can lengthen, letting your head move up so that you get taller. Let your head rotate slightly forward (lower your nose) and let the crown of your head move up…
Can The Alexander Technique help with Chronic Back Pain Management?
Can the Alexander Technique help with chronic back pain management is a question I often hear as an Alexander Technique teacher. Can the Alexander Technique help with chronic back pain management, can the Alexander Technique help with chronic neck pain management, can the Alexander Technique help with chronic low back pain management? My very short answer is yes.
The Alexander Technique teaches you a way…
Three main reasons people seek out Alexander Technique instruction are:
1.To learn how to use the Alexander Technique for lower back pain.
2.To learn how to use to use the Alexander Technique for neck and shoulder pain.
3. To learn how to use the Alexander Technique for posture training.
The Alexander Technique is used to help the lower back decompress. It is as if the Alexander Technique is being used as traction for the lower back, giving the discs and nerves more room… Use the Alexander Technique for lower back pain anywhere, anytime, including right now!
The Alexander Technique, or the Alexander Method, is a system used to help a person’s overall functioning. It was designed, or created by F.M. Alexander (1869-1955) who was an actor having vocal problems. …
Here is a post from Psych Central. This is something Alexander Technique teachers have known for years (about 115 years)
It concerns posture and it’s effects on pain. While it doesn’t address the how of achieving good posture, it does speak to the effects of poor posture on pain. There is also another element: poor posture can cause pain. I see it every day when giving Alexander Technique lessons. One of the big culprits for back pain and neck pain is the computer…

