The Alexander Technique is not always the first thing to come to someone’s mind when they are suffering from back pain. And why should it? The Alexander Technique was developed by a Shakespearean orator in the 1890’s who suffered from losing his voice during his performances. The Alexander technique aims to teach people how to stand, hold themselves and move differently in order to eliminate unnecessary tension in their bodies, and it has been found to be helpful in helping people who are suffering from back pain.
What Is The Alexander Technique?
The Alexander Technique is an education process, not a relaxation technique to form of exercise. For example, when you have been suffering from back pain for awhile you develop patterns of movement that may help you feel less pain initially. These patterns are often short-sighted habits that can in themselves become harmful over time as they become more exaggerated. If it is painful to bend forward, you may find yourself avoiding bending longer than is necessary, eventually creating patterns of maintaining an excessively extended posture that becomes painful. The Alexander technique includes techniques to help you interrupt or stop performing these faulty movement patterns and start allowing yourself to move more freely and with less pain.
Another part of the Alexander technique is using primary control. Proponents of the Alexander technique see the body’s responses in relationship to the qualities of head and eye movement. For example an upward movement of the head and decrease the tendency of excessive leaning backward. Students then learn how to include their whole body to initiate movement.
How The Alexander Technique Helps People With Back Pain
When you develop back pain, it’s easy to develop faulty patterns of motion. The Alexander technique can help you re-train your body to move more naturally again without guarding to avoid back pain. Combined with other physical therapy procedure, the Alexander technique can help unlock your body’s natural healing potential so you can get back to doing the things you love. To learn more about what you can do to manage back pain, call our office at 888-713-2220 and ask to talk to a physical therapist.
