The Alexander Technique, also known as the Alexander Method, is a physical therapy technique aimed at un-learning bad habits in our posture and personality that cause us stress and pain. Using the technique, a person can become aware of these habits and, upon being aware, can work to fix them and thereby relieve the pain. This technique is said to work for head, back, and joint pain; it will also work for neck pain.
Classes and Workshops
People learn properly use the Alexander Method through classes and workshops. These classes and workshops are conducted by experts in the Alexander Method who work with the students and teach them the proper way to move their neck or the proper way to sit, stand, and sleep that will allow the neck comfort and alleviate neck pain. If you are interested in learning the Alexander Method from a professional, look for a class or a workshop and sign up for it. This will guarantee that you are getting the most effective treatment for your neck pain using the Alexander Method.
Free Your Neck
Mark Josefsberg, a teacher of the Alexander Method in New York, suggests relieving neck pain by "freeing your neck." Do this is by focusing on and becoming aware of the muscles in your neck. Just as you are aware of the muscles in your legs and can easily flex and release your leg muscles (thereby releasing tension and pain), you can become aware of your neck muscles and be able to flex and release them as well, thereby freeing your neck.
To do so, bend your neck forward and up, holding and tensing your muscles at the apex of each movement, then releasing the tension and returning to proper posture. Repeating this will help relieve neck pain.
Bending Properly
According to freeyourneck.com, another site about the Alexander Method, back and neck pain are caused by poor posture. One way the Alexander Method helps to reduce neck pain is to teach students move properly when bending over forward. Properly bending your body will improve posture and thereby reduce neck pain.
The authors of freeyourneck.com indicate that the proper way to bend your body and improve your posture involves three steps: First, keep your feet firmly on the floor through the entire bending process---do not lift your heels. Second, keep your knees directly over your feet as you bend. And third, bend forward at your hips, not through your back. Practicing this will improve your posture and will relieve neck pain.
Tags: Alexander Method, neck pain, your neck, aware muscles, aware muscles your