Organised by the Osteopathic International Alliance, it unites osteopaths worldwide and runs from 14th - 20th April 2025.
Osteopathy uses gentle techniques to improve local circulation, restore muscle flexibility, relieve tension and promote ease of movement.
As an osteopath, I focus on improving your body's overall function by enhancing blood flow and removing restrictions. Don't let the term "cranial" mislead you - my approach treats the whole body, not just the head.
My journey in healthcare began as a physiotherapist, followed by intensive osteopathy training. In 2015, I opened my own practice in Lewes and Framfield, allowing me to provide personalized care to each of my patients.
I'm passionate about continuous learning and regularly attend seminars to stay current with the latest research. This commitment ensures that you receive the most up-to-date and effective treatments.
Whether you're dealing with chronic pain, recovering from an injury, or simply want to improve your overall wellbeing, I'm here to help. I look forward to meeting you and supporting your journey to better health.
The story of osteopathy, now a respected healthcare profession in the UK, begins in the aftermath of the American Civil War with a man named Andrew Taylor Still. Born in 1828 in Virginia, Still was a physician, farmer, and inventor who served as a hospital steward during the Civil War. This experience, coupled with personal tragedy, would set him on a path to revolutionize healthcare.
In 1864, Still faced an unimaginable loss when three of his children died from spinal meningitis. Devastated and disillusioned with the limitations of 19th-century medicine, he began to question everything he knew about healing. Still believed there had to be a better way – a method of healthcare that didn't rely on the often harmful practices of bloodletting and excessive use of drugs.
For nearly a decade, Still immersed himself in intensive study of human anatomy. He dissected cadavers, pored over medical texts, and observed the natural world around him. His eureka moment came in 1874 when he realized the significance of the musculoskeletal system in overall health.
Still's revolutionary idea was that many diseases could be alleviated or cured by manipulating the bones, muscles, and connective tissues. He believed that the body contained all the elements needed for good health, and that proper alignment and function of the musculoskeletal system allowed the body's natural healing mechanisms to work effectively.
This was the birth of osteopathy – a name Still derived from the Greek words for "bone" (osteon) and "suffering" (pathos). He saw the skeletal system as the starting point for diagnosing and treating illness, but his approach encompassed the entire body, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all systems.
Still's ideas were radical for his time. He faced ridicule from the medical establishment and was even ostracized by some in his community. Undeterred, he continued to develop his theories and techniques, treating patients who often had found no relief through conventional medicine.
In 1892, Still founded the American School of Osteopathy (now A.T. Still University) in Kirksville, Missouri. This marked the formal beginning of osteopathy as a profession. Among his early students was John Martin Littlejohn, a Scot who would later bring osteopathy to the United Kingdom.
Littlejohn, impressed by Still's teachings and having experienced personal healing through osteopathy, returned to the British Isles in 1898. He carried with him not just a new set of medical techniques, but a whole philosophy of healthcare that would gradually transform British medicine.
In 1917, Littlejohn established the British School of Osteopathy in London, planting the seeds for what would become a thriving profession in the UK. The principles laid down by Still – the body's inherent ability to heal itself, the interrelationship of structure and function, and the importance of treating the whole person rather than just symptoms – resonated with many British practitioners and patients alike.
Over the following decades, osteopathy in the UK evolved, adapting to the British healthcare context while maintaining its core principles. The profession faced challenges, from skepticism to legal uncertainties, but gradually gained recognition and respect.
A significant milestone came in 1993 with the Osteopaths Act, which provided statutory regulation for the profession in the UK. This made Britain the first country to accord osteopathy statutory recognition as an independent profession, a testament to how far Still's ideas had come from their humble beginnings on the American frontier.
Today, as we celebrate 150 years since Still's discovery, osteopathy is an integral part of healthcare in the UK. From NHS practices to private clinics, osteopaths apply and build upon Still's foundational principles, combining them with modern medical knowledge and technology.
The journey of osteopathy – from Still's epiphany in Missouri to its current status in the UK – is a testament to the power of innovative thinking in healthcare. As British osteopaths continue to advance their profession, they carry forward a legacy that began with one man's quest to find a better way to heal, a quest that continues to benefit patients across the United Kingdom and beyond.
The marvellous Uckfield College recently hosted an inspiring Careers Fair that shone a spotlight on many careers, including the diverse and rewarding field of osteopathy. I was thrilled to represent the osteopathic profession and share insights into its vast potential with the next generation.
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Read MoreIn 1997, I stood in a large cupboard in a Welsh mansion, packed in with a dozen friends. My heart pounded as I stilled my breath to silence in the cramped space. I rank the moment from 22 years ago among my best memories. It reminds me of the sweet glee that comes from play.
Read MoreThe pain from plantar fasciitis can range from an irritating niggle at the end of a long run to constant pain getting up and walking. There are a lot of self help measures to try before seeking treatment.
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Read More…. a table full of osteopathic toys and plastic bones
