Other Subjects > Health & Medicine

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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’ […]

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 […]

‘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.[1]   References   [1] ‘Working with a Dystonia sufferer’ by Doris Prügel-Bennett in STATNews vol. 7, no. 2 edited by Ann James (STAT, May 2010), […]

‘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.

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.

‘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 […]

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 […]

‘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.

‘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.

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]