Back Pain Treatment

Discover Effective Back Pain Relief with the Alexander Technique

Struggling with back pain and not getting results from stretching, strengthening, and mobility exercises? Try something that actually works. Experience holistic relief with specialist-led treatment. Rediscover natural movement and reduce stress with the Alexander Technique.

Halve your Back Pain in just six sessions

Chronic back pain - person holding spine

Research in the British Medical Journal has shown that the Alexander Technique leads to an average 48% reduction in pain within just six sessions, and by 86% after 24 lessons.

Using the Alexander Technique, you’ll cultivate an awareness of your habitual posture and movement patterns that contribute to back pain. By learning how to properly align your body and reduce excessive tension, you can find lasting relief from back pain.

Martin Underwood Pain Coach

About Me

Hi, I’m Martin.

I’m a Chronic Pain Specialist, Recovery Coach, and Alexander Technique Teacher with over 10 years of experience, and I’ve been exactly where you are now. I’ve created what I wish I had when I was in debilitating pain: the guidance to find something that actually works. I take a straightforward approach to pain, supported by the latest pain science, and use the Alexander Technique to bridge the gap between siloed mind and body treatments.

  • Prolonged sitting and limited movement at work

  • Stress and difficult emotions

  • Injuries that haven't fully healed or are worsening

  • Repetitive strain from work demands

  • Muscle imbalances and postural misalignments, such as slumping or straining

Common Root Causes of Back Pain I Can Help With

Gary Johnstone Pain Client

“I've done meditation, martial arts, yoga, physiotherapy, and pilates before, but Alexander Technique with Martin stands out.

It's changed the way I move, relieving pain and stress on my back. It's a unique approach that not only helps with physical discomfort but also encourages a more mindful way of moving through the world. ”

Gary Johnstone, Director and Producer

My Approach to Treating Back Pain

Get one-to-one support to find something that works

Your back pain deserves personalised attention. By working with me one-on-one, we’ll develop a tailored approach that addresses the root causes of your pain. Whether your back pain is acute or chronic, we'll find the right approach.

Improve Back Alignment and Posture

1

    • Restore Natural Balance: Learn how to align your head, neck, and back for better posture.

    • Enhance Awareness: Improve your awareness of your back and the rest of your body, learning to consciously interrupt harmful postural habits and replace them with healthier patterns.

    • Integrate into Your Workday: Apply techniques seamlessly into your daily work routine, whether you're at your desk, walking, or in meetings. Personalised posture resets and ergonomic assessments help you find ease without leaving your workstation.

    • Move Freely: Discover how to move with ease during everyday activities like sitting, standing, and walking.

2

Practice Mind-Body Awareness

    • Posture and Stress: Enhance your postural alignment by addressing both physical and emotional stressors. Learn stress management techniques that reduce the strain from habits like slumping and tension in your back.

    • Balanced Breathing: Correct harmful breathing patterns that overuse your back muscles, promoting relaxation and reducing unnecessary tension.

    • Better Sleep: Achieve more restful sleep by adjusting your sleep positions and using appropriate sleep aids. Rest and recovery are crucial components of back pain relief.

Unlock Your Back with Pain Relief Tools and the Alexander Technique

    • Focused Relief: Target the specific source of your back pain to make massage and mobility exercises more effective.

    • Effective Tools: Find the best back pain relief devices and self-care tools available, ensuring you have the right resources to reduce your discomfort.

    • Self-Treatment Techniques: Learn gentle, self-treatment techniques that promote mobility and reduce chronic back pain. By applying the right pressure while moving your back, you can enhance your awareness and alleviate pain.

    • Integrating Movement: Release tight muscles in your back while simultaneously moving your entire spine through its natural range of motion.

3

    • Find Your Centre: Recognise the importance of aligning your spine before performing exercises, ensuring that each movement benefits your back health.

    • Whole-Body Approach: Integrate exercises that address the alignment of your back with the rest of your body, reducing pain while enhancing functionality.

    • Progressive Exercises: Move beyond standard physio exercises to functional movements that seamlessly integrate into your daily routine.

    • Tailored Exercises: Personalise your exercise routine to suit the unique requirements of your body’s alignment.

    • Enhance Stability: Improve your ability to stand correctly, balance better, and address tension in your back, neck, and lower body through tailored exercises.

Combine Mind-Body Approaches with Intelligently Sequenced Strengthening and Mobility Exercises

4

    • Pain Science: Reframe your approach to pain by understanding its underlying causes and the connections to your psychology and emotions.

    • Mind-Body Systems: Notice and relieve stress patterns before pain escalates.

    • Stress Management: Transition from a state of tension to calm, helping you to manage stress more effectively.

    • Guided Imagery: Use imagery exercises to focus your attention on your back and related areas of your body, helping you to relax and release tension.

6

Evidence-based Mind-Body and Pain Science Tools to Address the Causes of Back Pain

5

    • Tailored Support: Your pain recovery plan will be customised to your needs, based on my ten years of experience with evidence-based treatments and coaching.

    • Disrupt Harmful Patterns: Learn to recognise and disrupt stress patterns that contribute to habits like slumping and rigidity. Discover actionable strategies to counteract these tendencies.

    • Holistic Approach: Move beyond pain management by embracing a holistic approach that empowers you to transform your life, reduce stress, and achieve lasting relief.

One-to-One Support with Pain Recovery Coaching

What can you expect to feel like afterwards?

BETTER BODY

Break free from unhelpful and harmful movement habits that contribute to neck pain.

BETTER MIND

Feel empowered to tackle the root of your neck pain from a place of control.

BETTER LIFE

Regain confidence and move towards a healthy, vital life free from neck pain

How it works

  • Complete a detailed form to provide essential information about your pain.

  • This 90-minute session will include:

    Assessment: A thorough history and examination to understand your pain from multiple angles – physical, psychological, and emotional.

    Education and Coaching: Together we will clarify the problem that we're trying to solve considering multiple angles and I'll provide you with the first steps of your treatment.

  • Development of Personalised Plan: Based on the assessment, I'll create a personalised longer-term recovery plan for you.

    Post Session Digital PDF: You'll receive a digital PDF version of your pain recovery plan within a week of our session.

    Supporting Tools and Resources: Your plan will include curated resources from pain science experts, mind-body practitioners, and exercise rehabilitation specialists.

  • I’m an expert in helping you execute on your plan. In some cases, I recommend ongoing sessions with me to learn and integrate the practices I recommend into your life such as:

    Foundational Alexander Technique Mind-Body Training:

    • Focus on retraining the neuromuscular system.

    • Techniques to reduce pain, improve movement, and enhance posture.

    Workstation Posture and Equipment:

    • Personalised adjustments to your workstation setup

    • Posture training tailored to your work environment

    Personalised Work:

    • Address specific needs identified in the initial assessment

    • Integrate various therapeutic approaches tailored to your unique situation

Prices

Free Consultation

A free 15 minute online consultation to see how I can help.

Pain Recovery Plan Only

£99

  • Initial pain evaluation

  • Pain Recovery Plan, delivered online or in person in a 90-minute session

  • Digital PDF of your plan

  • Supporting tools and resources

To book please contact me or arrange a free initial 15-minute consultation

6 Coaching Sessions

£600 £500

  • 6 Coaching Sessions for the price of 5

  • 1-1 support during your Pain Recovery Plan

  • Messaging support between sessions to keep momentum

  • Supporting tools and resources

To book please contact me or arrange a free initial 15-minute consultation

Individual coaching and curated resources that get you moving – and get results.

Arrange a free 15-minute, no obligation chat to see how I can help you with your pain.