Posted by: tim haskett ®
11/01/2004, 10:53:40
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Thanks for your post. Could you give a brief explanation of what the Alexander Technique is and what type of practitioner would do this? Is this a chiropractic technique and did your insurance pay for it? Tim Haskett, AD/SD Eureka, California
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Posted by: Lynn Brailsford ®
11/04/2004, 13:18:41
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I was referred to my practioner by my Physical Therapist (who uses a technique called "zero balancing" on me). I went to him with pain in my left hip but he is "holistic" and found out much more about me. And yes, I am reimbursed by insurance because it is billed through my PT.I copied this explanation from my practioner's website - I hope this helps:
What is The Alexander Technique?
"Change involves carrying out an activity against the habit of a life." F.M. Alexander F. Matthias Alexander (1869-1955) was an Australian actor who suffered from chronic laryngitis while performing. After physicians failed to help him, he began a nine-year period of self-study. In the process of effecting his own cure, he discovered the key to optimal coordination and freedom. Among Alexander's students were Aldous Huxley, John Dewey and George Bernard Shaw. The Alexander Technique looks at the habits that govern how we view ourselves and use ourselves -- habits that develop at an early age and are reinforced as we grow older. We move around all day without thinking about the body -- straining the musculature, compressing the spine, and making ourselves shorter. Our bodies are a low priority until something breaks down and draws our attention. The Alexander Technique is like an owner's manual for the body; it teaches you to use the body according to its inherent design. You learn to notice and change poor postural habits in order to restore coordination and poise. It relieves pain and improves performance in artists and athletes. The Technique gives you tools to take charge and move beyond your limitations in everything you endeavor to achieve.
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Posted by: keith ®
11/01/2004, 17:10:41
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Hi:
When I went to my speech/voice therapists a year ago, one of the first things they corrected was my alignment of the head with the rest of the body. They noticed that I had my head forward from the rest of the body. This results in the use of extra energy to create speech sounds since the head is thrust front. Additionally, the back of the neck is basically supporting the weight of the head, rather than the whole body. This places lots of stress on the neck and can restrict the sound. For proper voicing, you need the head sort of floating freely and loosely. You should imagine a gravitational pull upwards. My therapist called the incorrect posture the 'professor's stance' where the chin is jutted forward, especially while seated. The voice really comes from your core, not just from the laryngeal area. Anything that interferes with proper voice production will be even more evident with SD. Thus, proper alignment is essential. I am not familiar with the Alexander technique, but I think some of what I'm referring to might be part of it.
Keith
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Posted by: Lynn Brailsford ®
11/04/2004, 13:20:19
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Yes, you are "right on". My head alignment is also thrusted forward which interferes with breathing, phonation, etc. Lynn
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Posted by: pat rambo ®
11/04/2004, 15:03:00
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Hi Folks,
I,ve never heard of the Alexander technique, but , as a Physiotherapast,I've instucted many thousands of people in the 40 years that I practiced,in the use of correct posture,stretching and strengthening exercises,sitting and standing postures,lifting techniques, etc,etc.,etc.
I practice what I preach, because I know what improper posture,etc., can do to the body, in terms of pain,spasms,neurological problems,and disability.
I encourage everyone to persue the best condition possible.
However, as an ADSDer,I also know that all these things won't cure a true SD,since it isn't caused by anything to do with the spine.
Keep on practicing good posture. It will prevent many painful days and nights.
God Bless.
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Posted by: Lynn Brailsford ®
11/04/2004, 17:02:11
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I don't disagree with you, but I am confused by two statements in your note.On the one hand, you state that you know what improper posture, etc, can do to the body in terms of pain, spasms and neurological problems, and disability. On the other hand you say it (good posture, I assume) is not a cure for SD since it isn't caused by the spine. No disagreements with this statement. Yet the first statement seems to imply that poor posture can be the cause of spasms and neurological problems -- which is what I thought SD is. So, altho I agree with your conclusion (good posture is no cure for SD), I guess I'm not following your line of reasoning. Maybe you could explain more about exactly what improper posture can do to the body in terms of . . . Take care,
Lynn
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Posted by: pat rambo ®
11/05/2004, 12:05:11
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Hi Lynne,
I'm sorry if I was a bit vague.
When I said that poor posture can cause muscle spasm and neurological problems, I was referring to the spasms in the shoulders and neck as a result of pain and of the reaction of the nerves coming from the spine being irritated.Headaches are also a common result of poor posture.
The most common neck position to cause problems is what we call the protruding head position or the forward head position. This is when you are usually sitting, often driving, when you sort of "crane your neck".This position pushes the upper end of your neck forward and causes a pinching of the upper 3 vertebrae-headaches, neck pain, pain and spasm in the upper shoulders,pain referred to the scapular area(shoulder blades).
Pinching of the lower neck area can also cause pain radiating down the arm,maybe to the fingers.If severe enough, you get a numbness,and,or, tingling in the hand. If a disc ruptures you can get weakness in the muscles of the hand.This often results in surgery to remove the herniated part of the disc.
This is the neurological effect I was referring to, not the vocal cords.
Many conditions involving the arms and legs that are often blamed on muscle strain, are actually a direct result of poor spinal hygiene,posture and lifting techniques.
There are several very good little books available that are realy good.
(Contact poster for name of books) I hope this helps.
Cheers, Pat
Modified by Moderator-WB at Fri, Nov 05, 2004, 20:11:16
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