30 years since I graduated from the British School of Osteopathy!

When I left the BSO in 1996, I could never have imagined where the next three decades would lead. Like many new graduates, I was excited, slightly apprehensive and eager to put years of study into practice. What I didn’t appreciate at the time was that the real learning was only just beginning.

My career started in private practice in Notting Hill and Harley Street, London, before I returned to the British School of Osteopathy as a Clinical Tutor, helping students develop their clinical skills. Those early years were incredibly rewarding and reinforced an important lesson: every patient is different, and no textbook can replace careful listening and thoughtful clinical reasoning.

In 2003, I made the decision to leave London and move to Devon to raise my family. Looking back, it remains one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Four years later, I established South Dartmoor Clinic in Ashburton, where I’ve had the privilege of caring for thousands of patients from across South Devon and beyond.

Over the years I’ve been fortunate to lecture and teach at organisations including Peninsula Medical School, the British School of Osteopathy, the University of Westminster, the Home Office and the London Stock Exchange. I’ve also worked with businesses to improve workplace ergonomics and employee wellbeing, and spent time supporting the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although osteopathy has evolved considerably over the last 30 years, some things have remained unchanged. Good healthcare is still built on listening carefully, understanding each person’s circumstances and working together to help them achieve their goals. Techniques may change and research continues to develop, but compassion, curiosity and clear communication remain at the heart of effective treatment.

One of the greatest privileges of this profession has been the variety of people I’ve met. I’ve treated everyone from babies to people in their nineties, office workers, manual labourers, runners, cyclists, swimmers, musicians and those simply wanting to enjoy everyday life without pain. Every patient has taught me something.

Outside the clinic, staying active has helped shape my approach to treatment. Trail running, open-water swimming, cycling, kayaking and climbing have given me a personal appreciation of the physical and psychological challenges that injury can bring. They remind me that rehabilitation isn’t just about reducing pain—it’s about helping people return to the activities that matter most to them.

Thirty years on, I still enjoy coming to work each day. I continue to learn from my patients, undertake further professional development and refine my approach. Osteopathy has given me a career that is both intellectually stimulating and deeply rewarding, and I remain incredibly grateful to everyone who has placed their trust in me over the years.

To all my patients—past and present—thank you. It has been a privilege to be part of your journey, and I look forward to helping many more people over the years ahead.