The Good Health Guide

posted 2 April 2007
by Paresha Amin, local Alexander Technique Teacher

Osteoporosis occurs when the natural balance of bone loss & replacement in the body alters and more is lost than replaced. Often this creates tiny unnoticeable fractures which can result in chronic pain, postural deformity, and disability. What can we as women, typically at risk from osteoporosis or already suffering, do to avoid these consequences?
The Alexander Technique can be an essential component of a program to combat osteoporosis. An Alexander Technique teacher can help identify poor postural and movement habits that place unnecessary pressure on the thoracic and lumbar spine. By teaching the student ways to improve their use they learn to minimize strain and stress to their joints. As upright posture of the student improves, constriction decreases along the spine and at the hip, knee, and ankle joints and the torso’s weight is better distributed through the pelvis to the long bones of the legs. The student’s balance and gait will improve so that standing and walking will become easier, as also will participation in more weight-bearing activities crucial to stimulating bone density such as walking, hiking, dancing.

The Alexander Technique informs every aspect of an active lifestyle, while promoting a healthy spine and healthy bones. Even a person frail with severe osteoporosis can learn safe ways to be active. By working with a teacher of the Alexander Technique, the person with osteoporosis gains posture, balance, stamina, comfort and ease in weight-bearing activity. By Paresha Amin MSTAT

Paresha Amin is a qualified Alexander Teacher & Member of The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique. She can be contacted on 020 8883 7583 or at paresha.amin@dsl.pipex.com.