As an osteopath it goes without saying that I treat each patient as an individual and try to treat the person as a whole – not just the problem area. I have a degree in Osteopathic Medicine as well as various qualifications in Western Medical Acupuncture and massage therapy.I aim to reduce pain and improve mobility as a priority of treatment and then work on other areas that may either have led to the problem or are likely to stop it from getting better. That could be the whole body, an area of the body i.e. back, pelvis, knees etc., or a different system, i.e. the nervous system or digestive system. I will also often help patients identify and change behaviour, activities or a mindset that help or hinder their particular condition.

Osteopaths all draw on a rich toolbox of techniques to facilitate the body’s own repair mechanisms, improving blood and nervous supply to tissues where possible. We strive to help the body and its different systems reach a more neutral and sustainable state of balance. Going very much with the patient’s preferences and medical history I use a combination of gentle techniques and stronger manipulations if appropriate. I often use western medical acupuncture to complement the more hands on approach but – as with all the other techniques – only when my patients are totally comfortable with it. I love getting to know my patients but prefer to see them as seldom as possible!

My journey into osteopathy has been a long and winding one! After working in very different roles and places around the world including London, Brussels and Indonesia I decided to retrain as an osteopath in my late thirties. Inspiration came whilst at a yoga retreat during my maternity leave from a community development role with a London Council. Searching for a more rewarding career, my path crossed that of a truely inspiring Osteopath who treated both me and my baby and that was the first step on an amazing journey that led me to move to Devon in 2015, setting up my own community based practice in Combe Martin then – soon after that – beginning to work with a team of Pilates and yoga instructors in Ilfracombe. Finally in 2019 I added to the rich tapestry of my practice by joining the illustrious team of osteopaths and other complementary health practitioners at the Tarka Clinic in Barnstaple. If variety is the spice of life I am blessed with lime pickle!