Alexander Technique for Physiotherapists

Competency Based Accredited Professional Development

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Physiotherapist evaluation and feedback

Article • Rationale • Prerequisites • Learning Objectives • Course Outline • Assessment • Presenters

Alexander Technique For Physiotherapists: an in-depth experience

Competency based accredited PD courses on the Alexander Technique for physiotherapists are being offered progressively across Australia. Entitled "Move Well, Be Well" the courses provide a specific training in the organisation and quality of overall coordination patterns. The aim is to assist clients (and Physios!) to "Move Well" in everyday life as well as work related and specific performance contexts.

The Alexander Technique is an established method of movement re-education and rehabilitation from injury where coordination and posture are significant factors. Regarded as complimentary to physiotheraputic intervention, it provides an educational approach for re-training abnormal movement patterns. Most physiotherapists have had little opportunity to train in, or investigate the skills involved.

Physiotherapist Michael Fox has been studying and using the AT in his professional practice for ten years. He says the AT is not about therapy as in traditional Physiotherapy, but is an effective approach to teaching clients a better way to use their bodies. It is particularly useful for clients that have not responded to the usual "hands-on" work, and provides insights and processes of value in general physiotherapeutic practice.

Within a practical wholistic framework the Technique is not only effective in dealing with musculo-skeletal problems. Neurological physios have likened the AT to the Bobath approach in its ability to change abnormal movement patterns and create a better co-ordination of the whole individual. In a similar way the recent development of core-stability theory and practice has particular resonance with AlexanderÕs work as developed at the turn of the last century.

The AT provides practical insight into the overall functioning of the bio-mechanical system in relation to neuro-muscular patterns and integrates easily into the broad context of the clients activities, be they sporting, home or work related.

The AT allows you to move your client from injury through rehabilitation and on to enhanced performance. The course aims to provide physiotherapists with an opportunity to improve their knowledge and skills in the assessment of coordination and in educational approaches to postural and movement coordination training. By the end of the course Physios will have a new way of identifying and assessing whole patterns of movement, and can expect to use AT based processes to facilitate a well coordinated neuro-muscular pattern. Please note, this course does not qualify you as an Alexander Technique teacher. (See Professional Training as a Teacher).

More information is available from Michael Fox on (03) 6334 6633 or Greg Holdaway on (02) 4757 3999.

Course/Activity Title:

Move Well, Be Well - Alexander Technique for Physiotherapists, Module One

Rationale and Goal Statement:

Why is the course/activity needed? The Alexander Technique is an established method of movement re-education and rehabilitation from injury where coordination and posture are significant factors. Most physiotherapists have had little opportunity to train in, or investigate, the skills involved.

What is the overall aim of the course/activity? The course aims to provide physiotherapists with an opportunity to improve their knowledge and skills in the assessment of coordination and in educational approaches to postural and movement coordination training.

Target Audience and Prerequisites:

Who will benefit most from attending the course or activity? Physiotherapists in general practise, but particularly those working in the areas of Sports Medicine, Rehabilitation or Pain Management.

What must participants already know or be able to do? There are no prerequisites, however knowledge or experience of the Alexander Technique or other Somatic methodology (such as Feldenkrais Method) would be an advantage.

Learning Objectives/Outcomes:

1. Describe the integrated nature of basic coordination with reference to the significance of proprioceptive feedback, habit and body awareness.

2. Assess a persons overall movement patterns at an initial level, with reference to the dynamic head, neck and back relationships.

3. Identify general patterns of movement associated with physical discomfort, injury and compromised coordination, and describe physical and perceptual strategies for pain management.

4. Explain the process of movement re-education with reference to the inhibition of postural sets and the facilitation of integrated reflex responses.

5. Demonstrate an understanding of personal habitual patterns of movement, and show a basic ability to create an objective improvement in personal coordination.

6. Explain the concept of "Body Mapping" and its application in the re-education of coordination patterns.

7. Assess the appropriateness of specific patients for the Alexander Technique or related methods.

Course Outline/Sequence, Teaching strategies/Learning activities:

Start and Finish	Topic or Element	Presenter/s	Teaching Strategies and learning activities	Learning Outcome Number(s)
	DAY ONE
9am — 11am	Observation and Proprioception "The Lost 6th Sense"	Greg Holdaway Michael Fox	Guided practical session, Discussion	2, 3, 5, 7
11am — 11.15am	TEA BREAK
11.15 am — 1pm	Hands-on experience Foundations of good co—ordination.	Greg Holdaway Michael Fox	Demonstration, practical session	1, 2, 3, 5, 7
1pm — 2pm	LUNCH
2pm — 3.45pm	Physiology and PNF (reflex facilitation)	Greg Holdaway Michael Fox	Lecture demonstration, practical session	1, 4, 5, 7
3.45pm — 4.00pm	BREAK
4.00pm — 5.30pm	Proprioception and Habit Pain management Semi-supine (if time allows)	Greg Holdaway Michael Fox	Lecture demonstration, practical session	1, 3, 4, 7

 

	DAY TWO
9am — 11am	Review Day one tasks Hands on experience Postural Sets	Greg Holdaway Michael Fox	Practical session with hands-on assistance and personal practise	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7
11am — 11.15am	BREAK
11.15 am — 1pm	Body Mapping Session	Greg Holdaway Michael Fox	Lecture demonstration and practical session	1, 3, 5, 6
1pm — 2pm	LUNCH
2pm — 3.45pm	Review of relevant research and related issues. Education vs Therapy Practice session	Greg Holdaway Michael Fox	Lecture, group discussion, practical session	1, 4, 7
3.45pm — 4.00pm	BREAK
4.00pm — 5.30pm	Practical activities with hands-on assistance. Demonstration with patient if possible. Course review and feedback	Greg Holdaway Michael Fox	Practical session, demonstration and group discussion	2, 3, 5, 7

Learning Assessment

Brief description of each assessment task and how performance will be rated	Corresponding Learning Outcome	Timing of task
The assessment of a patient’s initial condition and their progress in rehabilitation, based on the underlying integrated pattern of coordination present. To be demonstrated at an initial or basic level.	1,2,3,7	During the course in group exercises and demonstrations.
The consideration of integrated head/neck/torso coordination in the development of effective specific interventions for patients. To be demonstrated at an initial or basic level.	2,3,7	During the course in group exercises and demonstrations.
The use of inhibition of postural sets and facilitation of integrated reflex responses in training patients in rehabilitation exercises, taking into account the effect of inaccurate proprioception or "faulty sensory appreciation". To be demonstrated at an initial or basic level.	1,4,6	During the course in group exercises and demonstrations.
Demonstrate a basic level of improvement of personal coordination using the Alexander Technique.	5, 6	During the course in practical session

Please note, this course does not qualify you as a Teacher of the Alexander technique, Professional Teacher Training page.

Presenter/s Qualifications and Experience

Presenter 1	Relevant qualifications/experience
Greg Holdaway (02) 4757 3999 Feature Page Email	Alexander Technique teacher since 1992. Assistant director of ATA teacher training programme, practitioner of Neuro-Linguistics (NLP). Continuing education course development and presentation experience.
Presenter 2	Relevant qualifications/experience
Michael Fox (03) 6334 6633 Email	Physiotherapist with 17 years experience. Alexander Technique teacher since 1993. Practitioner of NLP, experienced course presenter for continuing education for physiotherapists.

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