Martin Underwood
Pain Coach and Alexander Technique Specialist
Biography
Meet Martin
Qualifications
MSTAT Alexander Technique Teacher, LET Trainer (Live Well With Pain), Certified Coach and Careers Adviser
Specialist Fields
Alexander Technique, Pain Coaching, Stress and Lifestyle Support
My own journey into this work began through personal experience. Years of playing semi-professional rugby, long days as a barrister, and then the intensity of working in fast-paced start-ups left me with constant pain in my back, neck, and shoulders.
I tried many approaches but nothing gave me lasting relief. Then I discovered the Alexander Technique. In my very first session, I experienced a shift – the pain eased and I felt lighter, calmer and more at ease in my body. Over time, working with a teacher helped me sustain those changes in daily life, and this was the turning point that led me to train as a practitioner myself.
Since then, I have continued to deepen my knowledge, bringing together tools such as mindfulness, breathwork, hypnosis and pain coaching. My approach is rooted in modern pain neuroscience and acknowledges the important links between posture, movement, and the emotional and psychological aspects of pain.
Alongside my clinical work, I have experience as a Head of HR and a career coach, so I understand how pain and stress affect every aspect of life, from work to relationships to overall wellbeing. I now work with people to help them recover, return to work with confidence, and find more sustainable ways of managing both pain and stress.