An alternate approach to back, neck and shoulder stiffness

It's important to get a medical checkup in addition to trying an alternative method. Alexander Technique can alleviate back pain when the root cause is habitual contraction of our spine and joints. Through observing common everyday actions like bending, reaching, sitting, standing, etc, an Alexander Technique teacher can help you with very light but directed hands-on guidance and verbal instruction. You learn a new way of sitting, and bending...you have control over the speed of change, or not to change at all.

The process can take anywhere from a few lessons for the fortunate few who are kinesthetically tuned in, to 20 or 30 sessions. The change is deeply rooted so there little chance of going back to your old ways of contraction.

Sometimes we use unhelpful words to ourselves. For example, the idea of sitting up straight is, for most, a stiffening phrase. Our spines are not straight, but gently curved. When we talk about ourselves, it's helpful to use accurate suggestions. One idea might be, "sit in a balanced way." Once you are shown what this means, when you have the experience of sitting in a balanced way -- the words come alive.

There is more, much more, to the Alexander Technique.