The Alexander Technique Application to Medical Rehabilitation by Idelle Packer,PT (ipacker15@aol.com) Certified Teacher of the Alexander Technique

The Alexander Technique has been beneficial to people with a wide variety of neurological and musculoskeletal problems. The Technique provides an index for observing and improving human movement and a means to gain proficiency in basic movement skills. People can re-learn such daily activities as walking, bending, squatting, lunging, moving in bed or transferring to and from seated surfaces. The Technique also addresses habits of muscular response by offering a unique approach to neuromuscular re-education. The result is a more upright posture and less muscular tension in the neck, back and shoulders. In the case of repetitive stress or traumatic injury, a primary benefit is that students learn proper use of the peripheral joints involved in the injury. Most importantly, they learn a unique self-management process which directly affects the function of those joints: an understanding of balance and dynamic postural control. FOR WHAT CONDITIONS CAN THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE BE HELPFUL? People with the following diagnoses and pathologies have found the Technique to significantly increase range of motion, reduce pain, enhance breathing coordination and improve overall functional strength and mobility: Pain management Lyme disease  Chronic fatigue syndrome  Lupus  Fibromyalgia  Traumatic injury Orthopedic auto, sports & work injuries  Back, neck and hip dysfunction Spasm  Disc herniation  Post-laminectomy  Stenosis  Sciatica/rediculopathy  Scoliosis  Dorsum rotundum  Scheuermann's disease  Osteoporosis  Osteoarthritis  Rheumatoid arthritis  Neck and low back syndrome  Repetitive stress injuries Typical stress/strain injuries of musicians, dancers, singers, industrial workers, aerobic and weight training exercisers Neurological dysfunction Parkinson's disease  Dystonia  Multiple sclerosis  Stroke  Respiratory dysfunction Asthma  Paradoxical breathing  Shallow breathing  Posture & balance disorders Parkinson's disease  Vertigo  Traumatic brain injury  Brain tumor  Cerebellar dysfunction

Idelle Packer, graduate of Columbia University Masters Program in Physical Therapy, teaches the Alexander Technique in her physical therapy practice in Asheville, NC. She is the author of the chapter, Alexander Technique, in the Encyclopedia of Complimentary Health Practices, Springer publishers, 1999.

© 1997