Martin Underwood has been in full-time, fully-qualified practice as an Osteopath since 1981, and Acupuncturist since 1983.
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Welcome to Treat and HealMartin Underwood has been in full-time, fully-qualified practice as an Osteopath since 1981, and Acupuncturist since 1983.
Over more than 25 years he has successfully treated a huge number of people and conditions.
Osteopathy
Osteopathy is all about structure - improving the way the body works as an integrated structural whole.
What does this mean?
A couple of examples:- If the shoulders are bowed forward, the ribs cannot move easily in breathing, and the whole energy system will suffer; there will be upper back and shoulder pain, and fatigue. Because the shoulders are rounded, the head must be lifted, and the neck arched. This in turn brings neck problems, and, often, headaches.
- If there is a contraction on one side in the low back, as soon as the body is upright and weight bearing, this imbalance will be intensified, resulting in muscle spasm, and pain. The space for the nerves radiating out from the spine at that level will be reduced. The nerves will be pressed upon, and irritated, often leading to pain some distance away, in the leg.
These are just two of the many ways in which structural imbalances, from many different causes, bring about pain and loss of function. Most of us have at least some of these problems!
The osteopath's job is to find and relieve the specific problems that are causing pain - and then to improve the function and alignment of the whole body, so as to prevent this pattern recurring.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is all about movement of energy in the body - improving the balance of the energies which underlies normal functioning.
What does this mean? What energies?
The Chinese and many other Eastern cultures have always seen the body and mind as one entity, and one that functions first at the level of energy, and only secondarily at the level of matter: flesh and bone. Where the balance and flow of energy is correct, the functioning of the organs and body systems is correct, and the person feels healthy, and at ease. The balance of energies may become disturbed for many reasons. To be healthy and happy we need neither too much nor too little of many things; activity, exercise, rest, sleep, stimulating challenges, rewarding relationships, good food and drink and so on. Some of these we have control over, some we may not. We also carry the effects of past experience, physical and emotional. In addition we have constitutional weaknesses and strengths which may or may not play a large part in our lives.
So what can acupuncture do about this?
The flow of energy is accessible near the surface of the body at points which lie along the meridians - symmetrically placed channels on each side of the body and running along the centre line. The balance of energies can be changed by acting on these points - traditionally, by needling them. Fortunately for those who hate needles, they can also be changed using a soft laser, or by stimulating the points electrically, or by techniques using simple pressure.
Does Western medicine go along with this?
Largely, yes. Western medicine has no similar concept of energy and its flow in the body, so tends to ignore this, since it can't be measured. There is, though, plenty of Western research showing that acupuncture is effective, and brings about hormonal changes, and changes in nerve function, which can be measured.
So you put a few needles in and people are cured?
I wish! A good treatment shifts the balance of energies to give improved functioning. If the causes of the disease are not addressed at the same time, this improvement will be only temporary. If the disease state is very profound, it may take a number of treatments to affect it at all. However, the body is trying to heal itself all the time, and usually makes surprisingly good use of any help it is given. Acupuncture is one of the most powerful healing techniques I know of.
Service Categories
Acupuncture, Osteopathy, Sports Injury Therapy
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