Can the Alexander Technique help with chronic back pain management?
Is the Alexander Technique effective for chronic back pain management? This 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? Yes.
The Alexander Technique teaches you a way to move or sit in ways that set the conditions so that your back can finally heal itself, even in cases where the problem is ‘structural’, such as herniated discs and bone spurs (I had bone spurs in my neck. Not fun.)
What is the difference between the Alexander Technique and chiropractic, acupuncture, and massage therapy, regarding chronic back pain management? You don’t ‘do’ the Alexander Technique once or twice per week. You practice the Alexander Technique as you live your life, as you go about all your everyday routines. This is one reason why it works.
Mark Josefsberg-Alexander Technique NYC
Comments always welcome.
I love the way you turn around the meaning of “chronic!” Learning, and practicing, the Alexander Technique definitely provides “long-lasting” back pain mangement.
Thanks Imogen!
It’s funny that when you say the phrase with a different rhythm, and a different emphasis, the meaning changes. Lots of modalities can help with chronic pain relief, or chronic pain management, but the Alexander Technique is almost without peer in chronic-Pain Relief.
And you’re right-learning and practicing the Alexander Technique also sets it apart. The Alexander Technique is empowering, and just that alone can help. That’s one of the things I loved most about the Alexander Technique when I had my severe chronic neck pain. Do you also find that to be the case with your students?
Hey Mark – nice post (as usual!)
Here’s one of several podcast interviews about the Alexander Technique and pain management – this one by a doc at Harvard Medical School who is an expert in pain management: https://bodylearning.buzzsprout.com/382/5617-a-physician-talks-about-the-role-of-the-alexander-technique-in-pain-management
Thanks Robert,
Looking forward to listening to the podcast, and to hear this doctor’s views on pain management and the Alexander Technique. Listening to your podcasts have made me a better Alexander teacher.
Hi Mark – yes – empowering is definitely the right word. I started learning the Alexander Technique because of chronic neck pain/tension too, and what was most appealing about the Technique compared to everything else I’d tried, was the sense that I was regaining some control over my situation. I have had students report the same sort of thing also.
We have similar stories! I was going from one person to the next with the idea that they could ‘fix’ me. when I tried the Alexander Technique I realized I could fix myself. control was the word I used also.
Now exploring how people practicing yoga can avoid back pain . . . so prevalent. Thanks for yours.
It’s so great when an Alexander Technique teacher can use all her AT experience while teaching yoga. Yoga and the Alexander Technique can form a perfect union!