Martin Underwood
Pain & Posture Specialist
Alexander Technique
Specialities
Alexander Technique
Pain & Posture Coaching
Pain and Posture Specialist Alexander Technique Teacher
Maybe you’ve tried exercises, strengthening, stretching, or treatments. Maybe you’ve even worked hard on your posture.
But the pain’s still there.
That’s because the deeper patterns that keep it going haven’t changed. If you’re still bracing and moving with old protective habits, it’s like driving a car with the handbrake on. This builds tension and, over time, wears out parts of your body.
You can keep fine-tuning worn-out parts with treatments - or you can learn to drive with the handbrake off.
Even small changes in how you move can make a big difference. The Alexander Technique helps you move with less effort and more natural coordination, so your body stops working against itself.
Common Conditions I Help With
Many people come to me after trying other treatments without lasting relief. I work with a wide range of persistent and recurring pain conditions, including:
Back pain & neck pain
Headaches & migraines
Arthritis & joint pain
Persistent sports injuries
Whiplash-associated disorder (WAD)
Fibromyalgia
Inflammatory conditions
Chronic & persistent pain
Nerve pain & sciatica
Posture and Pain Specialist
I’m also a trainer with Live Well with Pain, where I’ve worked alongside doctors, physiotherapists and psychologists to train healthcare professionals in pain recovery. Over 40,000 NHS staff have accessed our resources.
What I’ve learned is that there is no single route to recovery. Pain is personal.
You’ll learn practical tools to transform pain, with personalised strategies that help you return to the activities you love and integrate these changes into your daily life. The aim is lasting relief and reconnection with what truly matters, so your body feels stronger, more balanced, and at ease.
The Alexander Technique is central to this. Combined with modern pain science and mind-body skills, I will personalise the work to focus on what’s most relevant to you. This may include releasing hidden patterns of tension, improving posture and movement, understanding how stress and emotions can amplify pain, and learning ways to retrain your nervous system so it sends fewer pain signals.
This process can help you move with greater ease, stability, and confidence in daily life.
How I Help
Step 1: Release
Let go of the tension that keeps pain going.
Notice where you’re holding - like your neck, shoulders, or lower back - and learn to release it.
Learn how stress and emotions affect your body, and how to calm your nervous system
Step 2: Align
Find your natural, balanced posture.
We rebalance your head, neck, and spine so you’re upright without effort.
No forcing. No slumping. Just support that feels stable and easy to return to.
Step 3: Move
Bring ease into sitting, working, and walking.
You’ll apply what you’ve learned to real-life moments - so movement becomes lighter, more natural, and less reactive.
About Me
When I was dealing with debilitating neck and back pain, I was sick of stretching, strengthening, and mobility exercises that didn’t make a lasting difference. I wanted something evidence-based - and that’s when I found the Alexander Technique. In my first few sessions, I noticed the pain lifting. I’d finally found a way to take charge of my pain instead of letting it control me.
For many like me, pain stems from poor postural habits and misalignment that strain the body. By releasing tension and rediscovering your natural alignment, you can find lasting relief.
I also have a background in law, HR, and career coaching - so I understand how pain and stress affect both work and wellbeing.
Experience & Qualifications
- 3 years full-time MSTAT Alexander Technique, LCATT
- Live Well With Pain Trainer
Booking & Contact
I am available for appointments at the Nailsworth Natural Health Centre on Saturdays from 8.30am–1:30pm and other times by arrangement.
To arrange a free 15-minute consultation, please visit
Prices:
Initial Assessment: £70
Follow-Up (30 mins): £40
Follow-Up (45 mins): £55
Follow-Up (60 mins): £70