I've been thinking about trying the Alexander technique for postural and balance issues (though it's supposed to be beneficial for other physical things as well), but going to a practitioner isn't cheap. Has anyone tried it, and if so, is it helping?
Thanks
It's only been one day since I asked, but as I'm an impatient so and so, I couldn't wait for an answer any longer, so I've done a search on Alexander technique for posture and balance Parkinson's disease, and the first result is from Parkinson's UK. I'm pasting it here in case it's of interest to anyone.
(Still, if anyone's tried it, I'd appreciate some feedback, as it's generally not cheap, as I said yesterday, and in the article it says "A course of 20 to 30 lessons gives a good basic grounding in the technique, and we can start to make helpful changes from the first session". As I'm not exactly rich, and I'm spending the little I have in supplements (not cheap either) and organic food (much of the same), 20 to 30 lessons sounds like a lot, so I'll wait for a bit in case anyone's tried it and can give any feedback before I go for it - or not.)
Thanks, and here's the info from Parkinson's UK:
parkinsons.org.uk/informati....
The Alexander technique teaches you to be more aware of your body, improves posture and helps you move more efficiently. It can help people with Parkinson’s to manage their symptoms and carry out everyday tasks more effectively, as well as giving people the tools for self-management and self-care.
Loretta Manson has been teaching the Alexander technique for 11 years and has a special interest in Parkinson’s. Here, she tells us more about the technique.
What happens during an Alexander technique lesson?
The technique is ideally taught on a one-to-one basis, with lessons usually lasting around 45 minutes.
I use gentle, hands-on guidance and verbal coaching to help the person I’m working with become more aware of, and avoid, patterns of compression and tension when they are sitting, standing still, or in simple movements like walking or moving into and out of a chair. We can then apply this approach to any activity someone would like help with, such as tying shoelaces, lifting a kettle, gardening or writing.
For example, if someone wanted to learn to stand from their chair more easily, we’d first pause to bring their attention to things such as how their weight can rest through the contact of their sitting bones on the seat and their feet on the floor. We consider the length and natural curves of the spine, how and where the weight of the head is balanced, and how to move the body freely by pivoting at the hip joints. Eventually, we’ll take this movement into rising from the chair.
By slowing down and switching our attention to how we do what we do, we can learn first to notice, then to interrupt patterns of excessive tension and collapse throughout the body.
Lessons may also include a rest period, when the person I’m teaching lies flat on their back, with their knees bent and head supported by some books. This can become a vital part of a person’s daily self-care routine for easing both mind and body. It often helps with neck and back pain, not to mention your mood!
How has the technique benefitted the people with Parkinson's you've worked with?
After lessons, people with Parkinson’s say they feel steadier on their feet, are able to sit or stand comfortably for longer, and are able to participate more fully in social interactions and other activities they enjoy.
The technique involves rethinking our automatic reactions so that we can exercise more choice in the way we go about things. Learning to do things with less stress and tension can have a profound effect on our physical and emotional wellbeing.
How can someone with Parkinson’s get the most out of the Alexander technique?
A course of 20 to 30 lessons gives a good basic grounding in the technique, and we can start to make helpful changes from the first session.
The technique can be used to help you anytime, anywhere, at rest or during activity. It can be applied in the simplest everyday situations like waiting in a queue or even brushing your teeth.
The way we hold ourselves and move have developed over many years, and as with other habits, patience is needed to change them. Fortunately, most people find their Alexander lessons both valuable and enjoyable.
Read more about the Alexander technique.
on this page there are a few articles on the Alexander technique, how it was developed and potential benefits
sciencedirect.com/topics/me....
Thanks, Boscoejean. I've known about the AT for many years, I even had a book about it a long time ago, but it's only now that I feel the need for something that might help me with posture and balance issues. As I'm so impatient, when I clicked on your link, I did a "find" on the page for the word Parkinson, so I didn't have to read the whole thing (which I would have done if I didn't know anything about the AT), and found these two interesting paragraphs:
"A scan of the articles suggests that AT has been investigated for use in the areas of improving posture; relieving breathing dysfunctions; decreasing performance anxiety and stress; relieving back pain; improving performance in speech, singing, athletics, performing arts, riding, and swimming; ergonomics (sitting posture and repetitive strain injury); and managing Parkinson's disease (see Additional Resources at the end of the chapter)"
"AT was evaluated in a critical review by Ernst and Canter.112 They found that AT was effective in the management of people with Parkinson's disease (PD)113 and LBP.114 For the individuals with PD a program of AT improved the Self-Assessment Parkinson's Disease Disability Scale scores at people's best and worst times, the group was less depressed and had an improved attitude relative to those individuals who did not receive the AT.113"
So thanks for the link, I'll contact an AT teacher and see if I can afford the sessions! 😄
Alexander Technique has some useful research to support its benefits for those with neurodegenerative disorders.
It is not cheap but you may be able to learn enough form several lessons to continue using online classes or similar.
Worth a try.
I definitely recommend Alexander classes. There may be group classes available that are a bit cheaper. I did a few at my local community center that really helped me relax, which is extremely challenging for me. Sadly, they scheduled them during my favorite dance class, and I had to choose.
Thanks to everyone for your replies!
I took the Alexander class privately. I personally didnt find it to have any lasting impact.
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