Dr Aniko Ball graduated from Melbourne University in 1976; she practised in general dentistry, periodontics, dental hypnosis and dental sleep medicine. She was suffering from neck, back and shoulder pain and discomfort for over 30 years. In her search for help she tried many treatment modalities in traditional and complimentary medicine but failed to find long-term relief. When she asked her doctors and physical therapists if she was doing something that made her chronic pain worse, she was told she had a great posture, none of them identified her condition as occupational musculoskeletal disorder.

Anikó was contemplating forced early retirement when her problems worsened; risky surgery and long-term anti-inflammatory medication seemed her only options. Fortunately she discovered the Alexander Technique, learned to recognize and release harmful posture and movement habits in all activities, especially during clinical dentistry, and got her life back. These days retirement is the furthest thing on her mind; she is even doing Yoga in her spare time. Anikó is passionate about the transformative impact of the Alexander Technique in the recovery and prevention of work related musculoskeletal disorders in the dental profession.

She devoted herself to a 1600-hour part time course at the Melbourne Alexander School and founded “Optimum Dental Posture” to present and teach the Alexander principles to the dental profession. Anikó’s mission is to reduce the incidence of occupational musculoskeletal disorders in dentistry and to send a message of hope to dentists for recovery and prevention of chronic pain. She is currently conducting research into the incidence and impact of musculoskeletal disorders in dentistry.

Anikó has presented at the 36th Australian Dental Congress in 2015 to dentists and hygienists/therapists; and the ADAVB Melbourne Convention in 2014 to dental assistants.