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Frederick Matthias Alexander -

Named after its creator Frederick Matthias Alexander, the Alexander technique is an educational process that retrains people’s movements and posture.

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The belief -

Alexander developed the technique in the 1890s, believing that poor posture negatively affects health and overall well-being.

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Inspiration for development -

He was inspired to develop the technique to address his voice loss during public speaking, keeping him from pursuing his passion in performing Shakespearean recitations.

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A pain management tool -

The Alexander technique has many supporters who claim that it effectively helps with long-term back and neck pain.

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The Alexander technique and Parkinson’s disease -

It has also been claimed to help people who have Parkinson’s disease, although there hasn’t been enough medical research to fully support it.

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NHS Choices statement -

In 2018, NHS Choices released a statement that it may indeed help people with back pain, neck pain, and Parkinson’s disease, but that further studies were required to suggest that it helps with asthma, headaches, insomnia, and stress.

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Public health systems -

Most governments have decided not to include it in the public healthcare systems due to insufficient studies and evidence proving its validity.

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Simply a matter of time? -

Practices like physiotherapy also took a very long time to be introduced to public healthcare systems.

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Celebrity supporters -

However, it is still being taught throughout the world, with many public figures supporting its validity.

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It's taught in ICMP Music College in London -

It is often used in training vocalists in music schools. The technique advocates singers to approach singing in a more balanced way, using all aspects of the vocal tract.

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Beneficial for musicians at large -

Musicians, such as guitarists, pianists, and wind instrument players, are also known to benefit from the practice’s postural correctional technique.

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Promoting awareness -

The Alexander technique emphasizes strategies to apply awareness of how we conduct ourselves while walking or standing, for some examples.

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Analyzing movement -

Teachers of the Alexander technique watch their students perform activities that range from driving to squatting and analyze their movements to see what movements seem unnatural.

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Understanding the root of ailments -

They may use mirrors or video feedback to understand their students’ posture or movements to see what might be the root of their physical ailments.

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Altering behaviors -

Students of the Alexander technique are encouraged to alter specific behaviors. This could mean lying on your back with your face and torso facing up while resting or sleeping to produce mechanical advantages.

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Values -

Freedom, efficiency, and patience are the Alexander technique’s prescribed values, which help people rid themselves of poor habits while performing their daily physical activities.

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General idea -

Generally, the idea is to train the patients to form good habits regarding how they use their bodies to breathe, move, and even rest because bad habits in any of these areas can create many problems over time.

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“End-gaining” - “End-gaining,” a term coined that encapsulates a person’s tendency to become so fixated with the task at hand that they forget to consider how they may best achieve the task (by sitting upright while typing an essay, for example, instead of being hunched over).

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Jack Sterne -

Spinal surgeon Jack Sterne said that 97% of people who suffer from back pain could benefit from learning the Alexander technique.

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Paul McCartney -

As mentioned, numerous famous figures are fans! Paul McCartney practiced the Alexander technique to help him with his posture while playing instruments.

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Alan Rickman -

The late Alan Rickman said that the Alexander technique helped him in his acting career in allowing his body and mind to work in unity.

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Hugh Jackman -

Hugh Jackman also commented on the technique’s ability to help people achieve excellent posture and relaxation.

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William Hurt -

The late actor William Hurt said that the Alexander technique helped him undo knots, unblock energy, and deal with paralyzing stage fright.

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Roald Dahl -

Writer Roald Dahl recommended the Alexander technique for anyone who suffers from back or neck pain.

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George Bernard Shaw -

George Bernard Shaw is yet another who recommended the Alexander technique, saying that it is a “technique of correction and self-control which forms a substantial addition to our very slender resources in personal education.”

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And many other celebrity advocates -

Other celebrities known to be students of the technique are Sting, John Cleese, Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett, and Madonna.

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Disputable validity -

Due to its vast number of supporters, the Alexander technique seems to have validity despite not being widely recognized in modern medicine.

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Its sister philosophies -

The Alexander technique, which encourages the unity of mind and body, adheres to similar values as many mainstream practices that have seen an increase in popularity in Western society in recent years, such as yoga and meditation.

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A holistic approach -

Overall, its holistic approach to correcting habits of breathing, movement, and posture to avoid future medical conditions or to treat existing conditions feels like common sense, despite the lack of reputable studies and research existing on it today.

Sources: (NHS)(Institute of Contemporary Music Performance)(The Complete Guide to the Alexander Technique)

See also: Stars who use alternative medicine

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