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On Coming to Terms with the "P" Word - Page 2

© Marsha Novak, MSPE, PT

The Alexander Technique has had a profound effect on my clinical thinking and practice. I now think PT school missed the boat in failing to instill in us that posture for lack of a better word is a NEUROmusculoskeletal event.

I now suspect that so many folks have bad posture because the world is full of so many stresses and strains that have caused us to interfere with our inherent postural reflexes. Now instead of telling my patients what they need to strengthen and hold to achieve a desired anatomical configuration, I try and guide them into seeing how little muscular effort they can use to dynamically balance their skeletons. The answer to the posture question now lies for me in forms of neuromotor re-education such as the Alexander Technique.

Marsha Novak is a physical therapist and student of the Alexander Technique. Her practice, Moving Well Physical Therapy and Movement Education, is located in Seattle, Washington. She is also an Affiliate Assistant Professor of Dance at the University of Washington. She may be reached at moving@drizzle.com

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