Calm at the Dentist’s Chair
Facing Dental Anxiety with the Alexander Technique
Many people dread dental appointments. The sound of drills, the smell of chemicals, and memories of past treatments can trigger anxiety. Recently, I found myself in the dentist’s chair for a crown replacement, and I drew on my Alexander Technique practice in Sheffield to stay calm, grounded, and resilient.
Meeting Fear with Kindness
Before the appointment, I gave myself Resonance – gentle self‑talk such as “Yes, of course you are nervous” and “Do you need acknowledgement of fear?” This simple practice helped my nervous system settle.
The Alexander Technique teaches us to meet our sensations with curiosity rather than resistance, and this made all the difference. I noticed tension creeping into my lower back and legs, and could gently ask my muscles to release this. Sometimes the build up of tension felt like electricity in my nerves, and a little guided movement helped release and ground that.
Embodied Awareness in Action
During the procedure, I noticed how tension built in my jaw and started to ripple through my body. Instead of tightening further, I invited my body to really rest, ungrip itself and encourage and just allow for small movements in my ribs which helped free up my breathing. When asked to shift my head, I paused first, so I wasn’t so reactive, then invited ease into my neck, and let my eyes lead the movement. These small choices – rooted in Alexander Technique principles – helped me stay present and reduce strain.
Advocating for My Needs
Dental work often involves anaesthetics, and I know adrenaline injections make my heart race which feels like anxiety. I asked for a different option, which worked beautifully without the side effects. This is part of what the Alexander Technique in Sheffield empowers: listening to your body, advocating for your needs, and reducing unnecessary tension.
Language and Self‑Support
When the dentist reassured me, I realised that external words only go so far. True reassurance came from within, as I reminded myself to let gravity and the chair support me, rather than clenching muscles in fear. I scanned for areas of comfort in my body, which gave me a sense of ease even amidst the drilling and tugging.
Learning to use our attention is very helpful. I could have paid attention to all the discomfort, stress, noises and tools in my mouth. I chose to scan for a little ease, to wish to release tension, to allow for tiny movements and all these 1% shifts, accumulated to leaving the chair in good fettle.
Practical Skills for Everyday Life
The Alexander Technique is not just for musicians, actors, or people with back pain. It’s a practical method for everyday challenges – even dental treatment. Skills like:
- Allowing the head to rest and the back to lengthen
- Releasing resistance in the lips and jaw
- Grounding tension through movement
- Finding ease in small areas of comfort
These tools can be practiced, refreshed, and integrated into daily life.
Feeling Well Looked After
The team at Bamford Dental Surgery were kind and professional, and I left the chair after 75 minutes feeling surprisingly well. My favourite moment was the gentle care of the dental nurse, dabbing the corners of my mouth – a reminder that small acts of kindness matter.
Learn the Alexander Technique in Sheffield
If you’d like to explore how the Alexander Technique in Sheffield can help you manage stress, ease tension, and bring more balance into everyday life, I warmly invite you to book a lesson or taster session.
👉 Discover how this gentle yet powerful method can support you — whether at the dentist, in daily life, or in moments of challenge.
Book your taster session using this link https://lucyascham.com/whats-on/ and discover and unlearn tension patterns in your own mind and body
