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50 Hortense St
Glen Iris, VIC, 3146
Australia
0490 126 293
Practice of Jeremy Woolhouse, pianist and Alexander Technique Teacher in Melbourne, Australia
Specialist in working with musicians, RSI, posture re-education, neck, back and chronic pain management.
Monthly blog articles by Jeremy Woolhouse. Alexander Technique for daily life, music performance, specialised activities, pain relief and management.
Filtering by Category: Pain
If you experience pain when playing piano, your body is telling you that you are at risk of injuring yourself. Piano technique is not inherently painful. Even a mild discomfort is an indication that you can improve on piano technique; whether this may be the specific movement of fingers on the keys, the balance of the whole body to support your hands, or a combination of both.
Read MoreMoving from pain management and prevention of injury, to confidence, technical and musical proficiency at the piano.
Of all the instruments, piano may appear to have a most straightforward ergonomic. The pianist doesn’t have to hold the instrument, control breathing, deal with major symmetry challenges or contort for fingering. In spite of this, the rate of pain reported by pianists is high. Wrist pain, hand or forearm tension, tendinitis, carpal tunnel, frozen shoulder and back pain are commonly experienced by pianists.
Read MoreThe May 2018 edition of Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice presents a qualitative study of the 2015 clinical trial of Alexander Technique and Acupuncture. While previous publications have dealt with the quantitative results, this study analyses the participants’ experiences and investigates how the modalities attained positive results.
Read MoreA nineteen year old aspiring to become a professional pianist, got to the stage where he’d be writhing on the floor from back pain after playing for fifteen minutes. Three Alexander Technique lessons gave sufficient perspective to manage the crippling back pain. This is the story of how I came to Alexander Technique and the fundamental learning of my first three lessons.
Read MoreMusicians and computer users are at the top of the list for Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI).
Alexander Technique’s unique approaches make it a powerful tool in prevention and management of RSI symptoms. poise and action in accord with Alexander Technique principles promotes long term resolution of underlying causes of strain.
“Get job done at any expense” is a modus operandi we’re probably all familiar with. Persistence of this attitude, the cost to ourselves wears us down. An upgrade to “Get job done without compromise to self” infinitely improves outcomes. Staying true to the principles of Alexander Technique transcends even this, and proposes a third paradigm.
Read MoreThere are some very interesting considerations which are brought to light by the recent clinical trial on Alexander Technique. The study investigated chronic neck pain and proved the effectiveness of Alexander Technique and also acupuncture. This article examines the details of the study from an Alexander Technique teacher’s point of view.
Read MoreOn 2nd November 2016, The journal ‘Annals of Internal Medicine’ published a research entitled “Alexander Technique Lessons or Acupuncture Sessions for Persons With Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomised Trial”. The key findings show patients who attended Alexander Technique sessions had significant reductions in pain over the 12 month period.
Read MoreIn the sports and performing arts, there is what is known as Flow, or “being in The Zone”. It is considered the ‘state of mind’ where one is wholly absorbed in performance and is associated with moments of peak output. Although heralded as the ultimate state, performers often report being The Zone also leads to pain, or that pain interrupts Flow. This article considers the apparent paradox of using consciousness to preserve Flow and eliminate the negative side affects. It is relevant to anyone who associates being deeply engrossed in a task with stiffness or soreness.
Read MoreThis article attempts to de-stigmatise tension and present muscle contraction in a healthy framework. Also challenge the virtues of relaxation as a remedy. An article of interest to those faced with RSI symptoms, or anyone whose work puts them at risk of “overuse”. For instance, anyone using a computer!
Read MoreWhether there is an injury, high stress, a passing or chronic condition; the effects of pain on us can be most frustrating. The Technique offers a tool for managing pain, and is reported as one of the most effective practices for pain relief.
Read MoreOverview of how Alexander Technique provides pain releif
Read MoreA technical article looking in depth at effective teaching and therapeutic practices which related to recovery from severe spinal injury. Of particular interest to teacher of Alexander Technique, those who have suffered spinal injury or are supporting someone who has.
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