Has anyone tried using the Alexander Technique to help improve balance and co-ordination.
I was first aware of the AT years ago before I was aware I had SCA6. I love horse riding and keen to improve my riding for dressage and show riding. I read a book called Centred Riding by Sally Swift
who using the AT to improve balance, awareness and co ordination. I have also came across a web sit
Shaw method for swimming who uses the AT in swimming (he has classes in the UK) I live in Australia.
I live in UK and I attended a course 'An Introduction to Alexander Technique' many years ago.
I couldnt afford the lessons but the course has been very useful to me as it made me aware of core posture.
It was long before I ws aware of my balance problem and I wonder if my onset was much later due to that.
Never heard of AT in swimming but yes... sounds interesting.
Personally, I am too old for sports now [69 years] but I am sure others on here will be interested.
I shall just stick to my wii fit plus exercises.
Patsy x Walking in the water is good execise....at 76 I go twice a week to the warm pool at Rehab and now walik indepenently in the pool altho am in a w/c...and have been for over 20 years.Jill-strok ataxia.
I can honestly say that Alexander Technique has helped me come to terms with Ataxia. When I was diagnosed I was determined to carry on as if everything was ok. As a result I was creating problems and my body was objecting resulting in fatigue and pain.
In desperation I contacted a local teacher and went to her house. It has been the turning point for me. She has taught me to live with my condition and I am now pain free if I pace myself. As a result I have given up all medication.
It is not a cure but it makes you reassess things and my life is 100% better than it was before I started Alexander Technique. It has helped with balance mainly because I think everything through before I do it.
I’m still not really sure what the Alexander Technique is exactly from your description, but I have found exercise worked for me.
Quite by accident I stumbled across the fact that working the core muscles helped my balance when I did Wii Fit and used a balance belt around my waist. From that introduction to Yoga, I discovered Pilates through another game (Exerbeat). And through losing weight and learning aout cardio and body resistance exercises I have improved my back pain and strengthened my core muscles and improved my balance.
Some exercises I coudn’t do without the balance belt, I can now do. I can sit better and for longer without pain, have more control over voluntary movements and a bit better standing balance for transfers and walking a few steps as long as I have something or someone to hold me up I have enough strength in legs to stay up.
I still get involuntary movements at rest, although I can’t seem to stop them for longer than a few mins, they do reduce if I have exercised and tired my muscles out a little, so an exercise session first thing is handy before getting myself dressed and doing breakfast and one in afternoon helps if I want to do some cooking from scratch that involves a lot of chopping veg, I use wrist weight or splints too to help steady hands, it’s still a challenge but can manage to cut them into chunks big enough to fit in mini chopper or processer to use that to finely dice etc.
I think I’ve stayed as independant as I have, cos mainly had no choice, I can’t afford a PA’s wages to work for me full time and don’t have family available every day, so I either work it out myself to stay at home with my dog, or give up and go in social services home. as I don’ t want to lose my dog, whose been my helper and companion for 11 yrs this year, I believe she’s my driving force.
A very interesting story you outline Katie. I am lucky in the sense that I have family behind me whenever I need them. I cannot empathyse completely with you on the situation you are in regarding care and help (although I can understand). Having said that, I too am a very independant minded person and wish to do as many things as I can on my own. Rehabilitation Therapy in hospital has proved to be very beneficial for me personally but I still don't understand what the Alexander Technique involves. What is it Gail? I'd be interested to know thanks.
Alexander Technique involves retraining your body to do things in a different way. My sessions were on a one to one basis. She assessed my needs and then we worked on various things e.g. getting up from a chair, walking across the room, turning round, correct posture, even walking with a stick without upsetting posture, daily activities (incorporating core strength exercises into my daily routine) Gym sessions are too much for me but a little and often is good.
I hope more people will find it helpful. My therapist was working with the NHS doing some research, which is a good sign. If anybody wants to know any more I will try to answer questions.
There are many web sites to that may explain AT better that I can, but the AT involves using awareness of mind and body to improve core balance and co ordination and posture (head, neck, spine, visualising awareness exercises) and correct breathing through the diaphragm.
Both descriptions from Coco and Gail sound very much like the Therapy sessions I had when I was in hospital. I was seen by various different Rehabilitation specialists rather than just the one thrapist. Although not cured I feel like a new person with more confidence.
It's the turning corners which gets me.My eyes don't focus properly even tho my sight is good according to the optician.It's probably the poor co-ordination in my eyes that makes the room spin and me fall over.