Self management for your wobbly joints I have many years experience of teaching people with hypermobility issues, including associated fibromyalgia and chronic pain. I have also trained several Alexander Teachers with this condition and adapted the training to support them so they can go on to teach and support others.
Online Course I am currently offering a 6 week online course for those with hyper-mobility and all its associations. COVID has made us all very adaptable and I am delighted at how much this course can help. One of my first clients, Hannah, has this to say about it.
“Carolyn has transformed my life! I had tried many things to try and ease my Hypermobility, POTS and Migraines over the past 10 years. The technique involves subtle yet very effective changes in how you use your body. In just 6 weeks, I have noticed a significant improvement in my pain and posture and I now feel empowered that I have some tools to help me. Carolyn is very friendly, extremely knowledgeable in the technique and Hypermobility which is rare to find. Highly recommend!.” Hannah Fox Patcham
Hypermobility is a connective tissue condition (usually inherited) in which the body’s collagen is more elastic than the ‘norm’, leading to increased flexibility. It is a variable condition and a mild version can be useful for musicians, dancers and swimmers though it can leave them prone to injuries such as sprains and dislocations. In others it can cause clumsiness, lack of spatial awareness and joint pain. Sometimes hypermobility can lead to debilitating chronic pain, known as Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) or Hypermobility type Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). I can be associated with fibromyalgia and ME/CFS. Amongst health care professionals, the Alexander Technique is increasingly recognised as helpful in developing strategies to deal with HSD and other hypermobility problems.
I have hypermobility and chronic pain issues myself so I really do know how you feel! Teaching people with these issues is different from teaching others and I have made a speciality of adapting my practice to offer you a different expereince of supporting yourself and moving and the self-help tools you need. This isn’t a quick fix, or a miracle cure but a practical way of working that can be the foundation of all you do. I am happy to start with shorter lessons if your condition needs it. email me with your questions on carolyn.nicholls@me.com.
‘Only Connect’ STAT MEMORIAL LECTURE 29th June 2019 by Julie Barber and Carolyn Nicholls I co-presented our professional society’s AGM lecture on hypermobility and how to adapt our teaching to best serve our HM clients.
Post Graduate training for AT teachers Working with HM clients is different. I offer postgraduate workshops for teachers who would like to adapt their skill. The next workshop will be in September 2019 (TBA) please email me to register your interest.
Useful links
For information about hypermobility and EDS https://www.ehlers-danlos.org
For information about the role of the Alexander Technique in HM from Dr Philip Bull’s very informative and easy to read article on the Alexander Technique for the HMSA Journal, Volume 3, Spring 2015. CLICK HERE for the link.