I’m 61 and have been practicing as a ladies hairdresser, almost continuously, for over 40 years, having my own businesses and stopping only briefly to have my two children. Since a teenager I was quite tall in comparison to my friends, and being rather unconfident, I tended to stoop a little (So that I wouldn’t be so noticeable).

I had over the years had some Yoga experience and some meditation practice, both of which helped me cope with the increasing back, neck and shoulder pain that was a product of my lifestyle. I had undertaken a course, over two years, of fortnightly chiropractic treatments as I had developed migraine headaches, linked to my neck problem. I’m afraid that they did little to alleviate the pains. A course of acupuncture has helped a great deal in that respect and I have continued to benefit from regular treatments. However at the end of a day of hairdressing my back and neck would be so painful that I would be unable to do anything before I had rested for an hour or more.

My daughter suggested that the Alexander Technique might be able to help me. Even after the first two lessons I became aware of how my body was malfunctioning and how I could change that. Gradually I was able to adjust my physical attitude to my work etc and the result has been that I no longer suffer the pain and discomfort after working, and can go on to socialise etc with very little rest. Then people started to say how well I looked and I found a photo of myself from two or three years ago I realised that my neck looked then as if it had disappeared, and my head was on my shoulders. Now I have got my neck back!

I feel that not only has the Alexander technique helped me to lead a normal life without pain, but has made my outward appearance more youthful. Alexander technique definitely makes you look younger!