Introduction to This Blog

This blog is about the intersection of the Alexander Technique (AT) and pain/suffering.  The central question I will address is "Should medical care providers recommend the Alexander Technique?".  My argument is that the AT should be recommended not only for back pain, but for any problem whose origins are based in habit (such as PTSD and anxiety).  This is based on the science which supports underlying claim if the AT, and the science which supports its use for back pain.  My argument is also based on the cost and safety of the AT.  I will write that it is unfair and irrational to evaluate the AT on the basis of whether or not it "makes sense".  Never-the-less, since the medical community is heavily swayed by such concerns I will write about the underlying mechanism of the AT and explain how it is effective.

I will write briefly about the magnitude of the chronic back pain problem.   I will talk about the failure of the medical establishment to offer effective long term relief.  I write about the consequences of the treatments that are offered.  This is important not only because the commonly used treatment fail to provide long term relief.  They also have disastrous implications for the suffers themselves, lead to addiction and death of others in the community, and cost the health care system enormous amounts of money.

I will define the AT.  The definition I present is more broad and more accurate than the definition that is typically presented.  With this definition I will show that the AT actually has two different mechanism by which it helps with pain and suffering.

The AT is not a cure all.  For all its benefits it is limited.  Although I am obviously a supporter of the AT, I will try to present the limits of what is known.  It is also important to review the qualifications a medical care provider should make when recommending the Alexander Technique.

The underlying cause of common back pain is poorly understood by the medical establishment.  They can not define it, measure it or objectively diagnose it.   This failure is due to the lack of recognition of advances in pain theory.  I will explain the mechanism behind chronic back pain using the most current theory of pain: the body-self neuro-matrix.  For the first time, this theory present the factors that contribute to pain and it goes a long way towards explaining the role of the mind in chronic pain.  This theory also explains that pain is not an isolated phenomena but has terrible implications for all aspects of the sufferer.  Finally, the body-self neuromatrix describes not only pain, but also other disturbances of homeostasis, such as anxiety and PTSD.

Those who are aquatinted with my other blog will know that I aim to make each entry an argument towards my central thesis.  However, each entry offers just a small slice of the complete argument.  Although not presented in a logical progression, taken as a whole I hope that this blog will ultimately present a compelling argument for the medical establishment to recommend the Alexander Technique to those patients who suffer from chronic back pain as well as PTSD and anxiety.

Finally, I want to present a challenge to the medical community.  Please consider that back pain might be like other health problems, with both a proximal cause and an ultimate cause.  Also consider that back pain might be cured.  Without even considering that such things might be possible, we will never take the first steps towards effective treatment and prevention of chronic back pain.