Source The British Medical Journal
Lessons in the Alexander Technique offer an individualized approach designed to develop lifelong skills for self care that help people recognize, understand, and avoid poor habits affecting postural tone and neuromuscular coordination. Lessons involve continuous personalized assessment of the individual patterns of habitual musculoskeletal use when stationary and in movement; paying particular attention to release of unwanted neck and spinal muscle tension, guided by verbal instruction and hand contact, allowing decompression of the spine; help and feedback from hand contact and verbal instruction to improve musculoskeletal use when stationary and in movement; and spending time between lessons practicing and applying the technique (also see appendix on bmj.com).
Joe Rodriguez has been a working trumpet player for four decades, and all that back-arching and shoulder-pinching has left him with chronic pain in his lower back. Research suggests an alternative therapy called the Alexander Technique may be an effective way to treat back pain. Rodriguez first tried massage, chiropractic, and powerful pain killers. But finding a remedy for back pain can be a lot like a guessing game. He says it was only through the Alexander Technique lessons that he trained his body to move in a way that eased his aching back.
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