Feldenkrais For Back Pain – Jeanine’s Story

Jeanine’s Journey Overcoming Back Pain

Jeanine, a nurse working at a local hospital, had lower back pain for years that was aggravated by sitting at a computer.   It was affecting her mood, her outlook, and her ability to fully engage with life.  As she described it:

“I was very disheartened when I showed up for my first appointment.  I thought it was too late to ever do anything sufficient to relieve the low key, almost continual, back pain I’d struggled with for so long”

In our first session, we worked to find a way for Jeanine to sit that would remove the pressure on her lower back.  She was delighted with the result:

“At the end of the first session, I could feel a significant difference.  I came to realize that my normal way of sitting oscillated between slouching and over-extending.  Laura showed me a new way; a way of sitting tall with my spine supporting me properly while still being relaxed.  It felt so much better.  The feeling of relief and hope brought tears to my eyes.”

After a dozen sessions, Jeanine had made significant progress:

“I learned to allow my skeleton (my bones) to support my weight and movement, instead of my exhausted tense muscles – as it was designed to do. I was able to attain significant changes in my sitting and walking posture affording me noticeable relief of the back pain.”

Jeanine’s description of working with me:

“Laura helped me recognize new ways of feeling physically. To  help me understand the concepts mentally, she would look for an example or a metaphor until she found one that I could own and use.  She would explain things carefully until she could see the light bulb going off! Another thing about Laura that was very important to me was that she gave me her full attention and really listened. I felt heard, understood and cared for.  I always left a session feeling calmer, happier, more centered and most importantly more hopeful and trusting in my and my body’s ability to move smoothly, comfortably and confidently in the world.”

Discover the Power of Feldenkrais for Alleviating Back Pain

The Feldenkrais Method can help reduce back pain and prevent its recurrence by retraining the brain’s perception of movement. Here are some ways in which the Feldenkrais Method can be beneficial in fighting back pain:

1. Improved Body Awareness: Many people with back pain have poor body awareness, leading to incorrect movement patterns and postural imbalances. The Feldenkrais Method helps individuals become more aware of their body and how it moves. Through gentle, slow movements and focused attention, individuals can better understand their body’s mechanics, leading to improved posture and movement habits.
2. Gentle and Non-Invasive Approach: Unlike traditional methods that may involve aggressive interventions or medications, the Feldenkrais Method offers a gentle and non-invasive approach to back pain relief. The method focuses on small, subtle movements that gradually retrain the nervous system, allowing the body to find more efficient and pain-free ways of moving.
3. Reduction of Muscle Tension: Muscle tension is a common cause of back pain. The Feldenkrais Method helps release unnecessary muscle tension by promoting relaxation and improved movement patterns. By learning to move more easily and efficiently, individuals can reduce the strain on their muscles and alleviate their back pain.
4. Re-Education of Movement Patterns: The Feldenkrais Method helps individuals re-educate their movement patterns. By exploring different ways of moving and engaging in gentle, slow movements, individuals can discover new, more efficient ways of using their bodies. This re-education can help alleviate back pain by reducing muscle and joint strain and promoting proper alignment and movement.
5. Increased Flexibility and Range of Motion: Many individuals with back pain experience stiffness and limited range of motion. The Feldenkrais Method incorporates gentle stretching and mobilization exercises that can help increase flexibility and range of motion, allowing individuals to move more freely and with less pain.
6. Mind-Body Connection: The Feldenkrais Method emphasizes the mind-body connection and the importance of mental focus and awareness in movement. By cultivating a greater sense of body awareness, individuals can better understand how their thoughts, emotions, and movement patterns are interconnected.
7. Individualized Approach: The Feldenkrais Method recognizes that each individual is unique and has different needs and limitations. Sessions are tailored to the specific needs and goals of the individual, allowing for a personalized approach to back pain management. This individualized approach ensures that individuals receive the support and guidance they need to address their specific back pain issues effectively.

Incorporating the Feldenkrais Method into a back pain management plan can provide numerous benefits. By retraining the brain’s perception of movement and promoting better body awareness, individuals can reduce muscle tension, re-educate movement patterns, increase flexibility and range of motion, and develop a stronger mind-body connection. This can ultimately lead to improved movement efficiency, reduced strain on muscles and joints, and alleviation of back pain.

If you are interested in trying the Feldenkrais Method for back pain management, it is recommended to consult with a certified Feldenkrais practitioner. They can guide you through individualized sessions and help you develop a personalized approach to address your specific back pain issues.

It is important to note that the Feldenkrais Method is not a substitute for medical treatment, and individuals with severe or chronic back pain should consult with their healthcare provider before incorporating the method into their pain management plan. However, for many individuals, the gentle and non-invasive nature of the Feldenkrais Method can provide a valuable addition to their overall back pain management strategy.

Are you also suffering from pain, be it in your back, hips, shoulders, or knees? If you would like to find your way toward ease, grace, and efficiency, then schedule your free Move-With-Ease consultation.