Deep Heat has become a part of every household as have heat balms and sprays. Although these can offer relief they don't heat up the muscle, they only produce the sensation of heat which acts as a distraction to block out pain.

When I was 12 I was diagnosed with scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine. As it continued to worsen, I was sent to a specialist at Guy's Hospital in London and after what seemed like hours of bending over in my knickers and a flimsy hospital gown, surrounded by medical students, the doctor sat me down to discuss my options.

It's common to lie like this during an Alexander lesson, whilst a teacher works with you to help you release tension, but it's also just great thing to do for yourself between lessons and as an ongoing practice. And if someone starts to bother you whilst you're doing it, point out to them that you're busy, doctors orders!

Good posture isn't something you do, it's the by-product of not pulling yourself out of natural balance/alignment. It is bad posture that is caused by doing. Evolution has left us with postural reflexes that work just fine if we don't interfere with them. But why do you pull ourselves away from poise and ease?