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Experience of learning
the Alexander Technique
Contributed by a Health Visitor, aged 47

As a Health visitor I visit people in their homes who are often undergoing stressful periods in their lives. I realised that following a visit I would have tensed my shoulders without realising and by the end of the day the pain in my shoulders would be intense. Having practised the Alexander Technique for some time I am now aware of this tensing and following a visit or any stressful situation I have learnt to 'let go' of my neck and shoulder muscles. This has resulted in no pain or greatly reduced pain on a daily basis.

I also do a lot of driving in my job and also pinpointed this as a trigger for tension. I am now able to drive without tightening my shoulders and neck.

The Alexander Technique helped me realise that the main reason for my neck and shoulder pain was that I tensed the muscles here unnecessarily. I was then able to recognise key times in my life when this was likely to happen.

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