Other Subjects > Health & Medicine

‘Alexander and Chinese Acupuncture – Different approaches to similar conclusions’ by Nilly Bassan; on the similarities between Chinese medicine philosophy and the Technique.[1]   References [1] ‘Alexander and Chinese Acupuncture – Different approaches to similar conclusions’ by Nilly Bassan in The Congress Papers 1988: Towards Unity edited by Jeremy Chance (Direction, 1994), pp. 40–54.

F. M. Alexander F. M. Alexander discusses the nature of addiction in MSI, referring to the examples of drugs, tea, alcohol, wine, sugar.[1]   It is important to keep in mind that different men and different women fall victims to some particular stimulant or drug, whilst they are in absolute mastery of themselves where other […]

The benefits of the Alexander Technique for aging and older adults have recently been more well documented.   The term ‘older adults’ refers to people in what is also termed old age, the elderly, or senior citizens (US: seniors).   F. M. Alexander F. M. Alexander does not specifically address aging, but does reproduce a […]

Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that affects the spine. Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms include pain and stiffness from the neck down to the lower back. The spine’s bones (vertebrae) fuse together, resulting in a rigid spine.   Two teachers, Margaret Edis and Ruth Murray, who were both diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis at an early […]

Anorexia Nervosa, often referred to as anorexia, is an eating disorder characterised by low weight, fear of gaining weight, and a strong desire to be thin, resulting in food restriction.   Writings ‘Anorexia Nervosa and the Alexander Technique’ by Briar Maxwell tells her own story of her improving her condition with the Technique.[1]   A […]

F. M. Alexander F. M. Alexander made several references to a number of conditions, including asthma, which were relieved or ‘eradicated’ (in the sense of disappearing) as a result of the general level of health from better use and functioning.   Alexander in his writings also blamed the cause of asthma (as well as several […]

‘Ambient awareness’ by Kay S. Hooper; on training children with ADD using sensory awareness games.[1]   References [1] ‘Ambient awareness’ by Kay S. Hooper in Direction vol. 3, no. 8 edited by Paul Cook (Direction Journal, 2010), pp. 9–13.

Books Autism and Alexander Technique by Caitlin G. Freeman argues that the Alexander Technique is ideally suited for helping people with ASD form sensory integration and body awareness, and comprises a system of physical training that is especially beneficial for people on the Autism Spectrum.[1]   Articles ‘Taming to touch’ by Caitlin Freeman reports on […]

The term ‘back problems’ here includes back pain, disability, injury, and deformity.   History Alexander only makes passing reference to back problems, mainly because Alexander emphasizes the educational aspect of the Technique, but probably also because historically low back pain only became a prominent problem after World War II.[1] Since the 1990s most introductory books […]

F. M. Alexander F. M. Alexander mentions a number of breathing problems in his early writings. ‘Excessive and harmful lowering of the air pressure in the respiratory tract’ tends to ‘cause congestion of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract on the sucker system, setting up catarrh and its attendant evils, such as throat disorders, […]

‘Working with a cancer support group’ by Penny Ingham; on working with a local cancer support group since 1988, seeing pupils referred by medical staff, around 16 people a week, about two thirds of whom are cancer patients, the rest supporting partners and bereaved.[1]   ‘Teaching cancer patients’ by Hélène Corrie reports on teaching the […]

Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, aka Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy.   Writings ‘Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease’ by Claire Quinn writes on how the Alexander Technique is helping her manage her condition.[1]   References [1] ‘Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease’ by Claire Quinn in STATNews vol. 6, no. 26 edited by Ann James (STAT, September 2008), p. 22.

Chronic fatigue syndrome also referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).   Writings ‘The Alexander Technique and M.E.’ by Jan Ellan describes how she developed ‘illness management’ over some time, coping with ME while teaching the Technique.[1]   ‘Chronic fatigue syndrome and the Alexander Technique – the next research project?’ by Annie Whitehead is on her […]

Cranio-Sacral therapy uses gentle touch to palpate the synarthrodial joints of the cranium, spine and pelvic bones to help regulate the flow of cerebrospinal fluid.   Writings ‘The Cranio-Sacral System’ by Hil Boode is an introduction to Cranio-Sacral therapy.[1]   ‘The Cranio-Sacral System’ by Hillegonda Boode relating on her own case history of breaking her […]

‘Alzheimer’s-related dementia’ by Ulli Pawlas reports on how the author works with people with dementia.[1]   References [1] ‘Alzheimer’s-related dementia’ by Ulli Pawlas in The Congress Papers 2008, From Generation to Generation Vol. 2 edited by Jean M. O. Fischer (STATBooks, 2009), pp. 201–08.

The Alexander Technique does not advocate a certain diet. However, it can be inferred from Alexander’s writings that he was in favour of wholesome and nourishing food, and against foods which could adversely affect use and functioning. F. M. Alexander F. M. Alexander used the example of people’s addiction to certain food as proof that […]

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder syndrome in which sustained or repetitive muscle contractions result in twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal fixed postures.[1]   ‘Working with a Dystonia sufferer’ by Doris Prügel-Bennett reports on working with Val Cross, a Dystonia sufferer, who then also provides her own experiences of how the Technique helps her.[2] […]

These articles all deal with the relevance of Alfred A. Tomatis’ work to the Alexander Technique. Tomatis (1920–2001) claimed that vocal problems were really hearing problems, that a number of auditory communication problems begin in pregnancy, that the whole body is involved in the production of speech and language, and that his method (which includes […]

Alexander makes several references to the use of eyes in his writings and talk, although he did not prescribe any specific activity for the use of the eyes. In his teaching he asked his pupils to keep their eyes open, to see, to look.[1] As did A. R. Alexander.[2]   References in Alexander’s writings, talk […]

Fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body. As well as widespread pain, people with fibromyalgia may also have: increased sensitivity to pain, fatigue (extreme tiredness), muscle stiffness.[1]   Writings ‘Find physical and emotional support’ by David Orman relates on using the Technique to cope with […]

Hypermobility here refers to Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome – Hypermobility Type (EDS-HT), also known as Hypermobile EDS (hEDS).   Writings ‘Hypermobility syndrome’ by Julie Barber; on the importance of early diagnosis, describing the typical hypermobility symptoms and stating that the Technique can help.[1]   ‘A poignant Friday afternoon in Limerick in August’ […]

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is an inflammatory muscle disease characterised by progressive muscle weakness and wasting, especially affecting the arms and legs.   ‘Teaching a student with Inclusion Body Myositis’ by Lauren Hill, Dennis Chada; a teacher and a pupil writes about how the Alexander Technique affects IBM.[1]   References [1] ‘Teaching a student with […]

Also mental disorder, mental illness, psychiatric disorder.   Writings ‘Working with retarded people’ by Yaara and Gal Ben Or; notes from three case histories.[1]   See also Psychology, and under individual conditions.   References [1] ‘Working with retarded people’ by Yaara and Gal Ben Or in The Congress Papers 1996, Back to Basics edited by […]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition which can affect the brain and/or spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance.[1]   Writings ‘Multiple Sclerosis and the Alexander Technique’ by Jennifer Tweel Kelly is a teacher’s autobiographical case history.[2]   References [1] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/multiple-sclerosis/. Retrieved […]

Research ‘Alexander Technique Lessons or Acupuncture Sessions for Persons With Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Trial’ by Hugh MacPherson, et al. The conclusion of a large randomized controlled trial with 517 patients with chronic neck pain is that lessons in the Alexander Technique led to significant reductions in neck pain and associated disability. Study evaluated […]

On general aspects of pain.   F. M. Alexander F. M. Alexander wrote in several places how behaviour causing pain can be habitual, e.g. in MSI:   To those who have studied this curious phase of mental and physical phenomena, it would almost seem that they derived a form of satisfaction or pleasure from such […]

Parkinson’s is a progressive, neurodegenerative movement disorder.   The benefits of the Alexander Technique for people with Parkinson’s disease (PWPD) were first highlighted by Chloe Stallibrass’s research in 1997 (see below for research papers). Several teachers have reported on working with PWPD. In 2016 Monika Gross started The Poise Project, a nonprofit organisation, with an […]

Also called early reflexes, baby reflexes, retained or unintegrated primitive reflexes.   Persistent primitive reflexes (PPR) are reflex actions that are exhibited by normal infants, but not neurologically intact adults, in response to particular stimuli. These reflexes are suppressed as a child grows, mostly within the first 18 months of birth. These primitive reflexes are […]

F. M. Alexander In UCL Alexander quotes from Anthony Ludovici’s book, The Truth about Childbirth (1937), where Ludovici writes about the importance of Alexander’s technique for pregnancy and childbirth. For example, on the consequences of faulty coordination and wrong use of self:   Suppose that, through faulty coordination and wrong use of self – and […]

F. M. Alexander Sir George Trevelyan’s diary entry of Wednesday 27 January 1937 records Alexander talking about sex:   Many of the failures in marriage, F. M. contends, are due to the failure on the part of the man to inhibit and hold back. In response to his excitement he stiffens, therefore often enough preventing […]

Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation.   Writings ‘Hazards and hope’ by Wendy C. Morris reports on how the Technique helped – and didn’t help – in recovering from childhood sexual abuse.[1]   ‘We are sexless, not!’ by Nicola Hanefeld; on the subject of sex being consciously or unconsciously part of lessons, and of […]

F. M. Alexander In CCC F. M. Alexander relates the story of an author who suffered a breakdown:   A pupil of mine, an author, had been in a serious state of health for some time, and had at last reached the point where he was unable to carry on his literary work. After finishing […]

‘Preparing for and recovering from surgery using the Alexander Technique’ by Debbie Rittner; a pupil of the Technique relates her experiences of using the Technique before and after undergoing a hysteroscopy operation.[1]   Research ‘The impact of the alexander technique in improving posture and surgical ergonomics during minimally invasive surgery: Pilot study’ by P. Reddy, […]

Trauma, traumatic injury, grief.   Articles ‘Grief’ by Vivien Schapera; on bereavement, grief resulting from a death, and how it affected her use.[1]   ‘Effects of childhood trauma’ by Rachel Mausner with Jano Cohen argues that Alexander lessons may awaken suppressed trauma memories, because it releases tension; it explains the different levels of reactions to […]