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The Alexander Technique and Me - One Student's Experience

© Alana S. Cox

My journey to the Alexander Technique began when I was injured in a car accident with whiplash and severely traumatized my right side. At the time, I never received any form of medical treatment for the injuries. I am convinced, now, that that accident was the origin of many of my physical difficulties. It was on my right side that my symptoms manifested and persisted.

I suffered for years with debilitating headaches and sought relief from a variety of medical doctors; they were unable to diagnose the cause or provide relief. In desperation, I resorted to a Chiropractor. He diagnosed my problem as TMJ (temporal mandibular joint dysfunction) and in turn referred me to a dentist for treatment. For several more years I received various adjustments to my teeth and jaw, which included wearing an unsightly mouthpiece day and night.

This treatment provided only temporary relief. The headaches eventually subsided but I developed pain in various other joints. The pain in my right hip became so severe that at times I could barely walk, and sleep was nearly impossible. A new cadre of doctors prescribed various medications, physical therapy, and cortisone injections.

None of these treatments provided any lasting relief. The pain and discomfort seemed to spread throughout my body. Pain in my shoulder flared up and I had very limited use of my arm. At the same time I was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma and had to use an inhaler daily. Finally, after years of trial and error my doctors diagnosed my problem as fibromyalgia. It is my feeling that the doctors did not know what more to do with my problem and gave it that label.

After nearly 20 years of pain and suffering, I was totally frustrated. Feeling helpless and discouraged, I decided to investigate alternative medicine. I spent copious amounts of time and money with various types of health advisers. Chiropractors gave me the most relief but it was expensive. The chiropractors had a difficult time trying to realign me and the results were short-lived. I also tried Chinese herbs and acupuncture and again found no relief. By this time, I was open to most anything that might end my suffering. I tried shark cartilage tablets and sleeping on magnets with great expectations only to be disappointed again. Feldenkrais felt good but failed to give me the long-term relief I sought. Homeopathy yielded the same outcome as all the other non-traditional treatments I had tried.

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