Gabrielle Waldron
BSc (Ost) - graduated British School of Osteopathy 1992
MSc in Anatomy by research - graduated Bristol University 1996

What is your background?

I was brought up with Osteopathy, as my Father was one of very few Osteopaths working in Bristol in the 60s and 70s. I used to earn my pocket money opening the door to patients on Saturday mornings!

I attended the British School of Osteopathy, which is the largest and oldest college of Osteopathy in the country, and graduated in 1992 as the medal winner for that year. I returned to Bristol to work with my Father and also quckly began working in Fishponds with Martyn Morgan and John Leah.

At the same time, feeling there were more questions about Osteopathy to be answered, I embarked on a Master's Degree in Anatomy by research at Bristol University. My thesis, "The Functional Anatomy of the Thoracolumbar Fascia" allowed me thoroughly to explore the detail and function of the low back and hugely influenced the way I practice Osteopathy today.

More recently I have become increasingly interested in helping patients who have had long-standing or recurrent back pain. To this end, I have been studying the use of exercise, particularly Pilates exercise, in rehabilitation. Again the findings of my own research has suggested that exercise to improve the balance in strength and co-ordination of the low back muscles is particularly useful.

What do you like about Osteopathy?

I like people. Practising Osteopathy and meeting such a variety of people is a priviledge. Osteopathy is a particularly direct approach - one meets an individual, does one's very best to help them and, in a relatively short time, sees the results. It is never boring - every patient has unique problems. It is both challenging and rewarding to use one's theoretical knowledge, combined with the experience and palpatory skills one has developed over the years, to achieve the most help for each patient.

What do you think are the benefits of Osteopathy?

Osteopathy helps counteract the burdens of life. Everything from the pull of gravity, through the posture required for our work, to the emotional stresses placed upon us, have the effect of compressing and tightening our bodies. Osteopathy, quite gently - it is usually a pleasant experience - stretches out the skeleton and allows the muscle tension to relax. In so doing, it also allows nerve conduction and blood circulation to flow more freely. This will reduce musculoskeletal pain, but may also improve health generally.

What other interests do you have?

My interests tend to be centred on our home. We have an 8 year old son, and, in what time I have left, I enjoy DIY and sewing projects. Come the summer, I love to be in the garden, or walking - we are lucky enough to have some beautiful countryside on our doorstep.

Patrick Doherty
BSc (Hons) Ost, Biochem

What is your background?

Graduated with a Biochemistry Degree from Bath University in 1984, followed by three years of biochemical research. Financial Services Industry from 1987 to 1997, more latterly as an independent financial adviser delivering investment seminars throughout the South West. Five year Osteopathy course at The London School of Osteopathy graduating in 2001 with a BSc (Hons) in Osteopathy.

Suffered from back problems from the age of 13 when first saw an osteopath. I was amazed at walking in almost crippled with pain and walking out straight and pain free.

What do you like about osteopathy?

The ability to treat a wide range of conditions and good speed of recovery in most cases, sometimes instant which is always nice. However, if all cases were as simple as that there would be no challenge. I like the challenge of taking on patients who have tried conventional medical approaches and other therapies with little success. Although not always successful, the majority of cases are rewarding in terms of success (often relative) and in terms of quality of life of the patient.

What do you think are the benefits of osteopathy?

One of the first benefits is accessibility. Patients can normally be seen within a week. Delays in receiving treatments with other therapies can result in an acute problem becoming chronic and being more difficult to treat. The ‘holistic’ nature of osteopathy looks wider than the area of pain and treats the cause of the problem which may be remote from the site of pain. It also treats related areas so the body is working more as a unit.

What other interests do you have?

Motorcycling – recently passed test. Ride a Honda Firestorm. First trackday at Cadwell Park on 11th June 2005

Kung Fu – regular classes and one to one instruction. Started Kung Fu at the age of 40 as I was feeling old and stiff beyond my years. Also have a growing son who at the age of 15 is bigger than me. Kung Fu helps me to stay fit and flexible and is great for reducing my back problems

Guitar – have been in a couple of bands (of no significance) including the one at my 40th birthday celebration. At least I can entertain myself.

Golf- started playing golf to compete at the Western Counties Society of Osteopaths Golf Competition, held on the day before the annual convention in Saunton. Needless to say I came last on my first attempt.

Gill Jones

BSc(Hons) Ost

What is your background

I started my working life as a Business Analyst after completing a degree in maths. After several years of sitting at a desk I felt I needed to do something more useful and joined the ambulance service. Soon progressing to become a paramedic, I stayed with this careers for 15 years. However, I realised I didn’t want to do shift work forever so looked for a career change. It was while talking to an osteopath during treatment that she suggested I train to become an osteopath. I knew that I wanted to remain in health care environment and having experienced the benefits of osteopathy, this seemed like a good option. I trained at Oxford Brookes University on a part time basis while still working as a paramedic.

What do I like about osteopathy?

Whilst working as a paramedic, I very much enjoyed meeting a wide range of people and helping them to feel better. Becoming an osteopath has allowed this aspect of my work to continue without the unsocial hours! Osteopathy is able to offer treatment to people of all ages and can help both acute and chronic conditions. I find seeing a broad range of people with different lifestyles both challenging and rewarding.

What do you think are the benefits of osteopathy?

Osteopathy considers the whole person in its approach to healthcare, utilising a variety of treatment techniques to help address problems. It also takes into account an individual’s job and lifestyle offering advice on exercise when appropriate. When necessary osteopathy can be used alongside more conventional medical approaches.

What other interests do you have?

In my life outside of work I enjoy running and hill walking. I have spent many holidays walking in Scotland and the Lake District. I started running in the late 1990s and since then have completed a number of half marathons both in the UK and abroad. I have also completed the London Marathon. I train with Westbury Harriers and regularly lead one of their groups.
I have recently started playing the piano again – having had a break from lessons for around 27 years!

Dougal Cram

BSc(Hons) MOst

What is your background?
Studying health and disease has always interested me and therefore I initially completed an undergraduate degree in Pathology and Microbiology at Bristol University. I found this fascinating, learning about disease in great detail, but I wanted to work with people, not bacteria, virus and human cells! After graduating my sister, Juliana, who also worked at the Fishponds practice, suggested that I look into becoming an osteopath. The following year I started at the British School of Osteopathy in London and have never looked back. The course was very demanding and I was very pleased at the end of the course to be awarded the Principles prize for clinical excellence, for the top clinical grade of the year. Overall, think the skills learned on both courses have enabled me to have a very good breadth of knowledge to access when treating people and an interest in continual learning, which I believe is important as an osteopath.

What do you like about osteopathy?
Osteopathy gives an opportunity for me to work with people with a great variety of different problems. Although two patients may present with pain in a similar site the cause may be very different. It is this diversity and the challenge that comes with understanding what is happening with a particular patient and what type of treatment would be must beneficial. Additionally, it is an amazing opportunity to be able to help people become pain free or to decrease the burden of a chronic disease that they may be suffering.

What do you think are the benefits of osteopathy?
People find treatment beneficial for many different reasons, whether it is decreasing pain in an area of the body or improving the ability for patients to perform daily tasks, which make their lives easier. Additionally, being able evaluate the patients movements and encourage movement to best of their ability, we aim not just gain short-term relief, but also to prevent problems in the future. I believe that another important part of what we do is to explain to the patient what is happening and with some advice enable the patient have a greater understanding and increased control.

What other interests do you have?
I have been a keen sailor for many years, competing at national and international level in the international 505 class. Although this does involve getting very cold in the winter it is also a great opportunity for me to travel to lots of interesting places and compete with competitors from all over the world.

More recently I have taken up rock climbing, although it has been indoors at the moment, I look forward to be able to climb outdoors and see some of the great countyside around Bristol.

Tania Russell

BSc(Hons) MOst

What is your background?
After finishing school I did a year of travelling in Asia and Australia, before following my interest in science to study a degree in Zoology at Bristol University. I had an amazing time in Bristol, both on the course and in the city. After graduating, still undecided on a future career, I looked into a number of different jobs. I knew I was interested in human anatomy and physiology, and our relationship to our environment. I wanted to work with people in healthcare, but have a more hands-on and direct approach than medicine might offer. At this time I met some osteopaths through a friend and discovered the work they did and the way patients responded to their care seemed to offer so may of the things I was looking for in a career. I then decided to go back to university and re-train as an osteopath at the British School of Osteopathy in London. The training was challenging but I loved the diversity and depth of the profession. I was able to explore my particular interests, including working with mothers, both pre- and post- birth, in the Expectant Mothers’ Clinic, and the use of osteopathy in a palliative care setting through my own dissertation research. It has always been a long term goal to return to work in Bristol, a city I love, and I am enjoying my continued osteopathic development having attained that goal.

What do you like about osteopathy?
What I like about osteopathy is that we have the opportunity to work directly with all our patients and witness first hand improvements in a patient’s symptoms. Each and every patient we see is different, this is exciting and challenging. Individuality means that no two consultations are ever the same, and as osteopaths we are able to explore this as we have the time to do so. Our philosophies and training allow us to work with the physical and emotional aspects of a patient’s symptoms, and explore their relationship with their environment. Treatments and management strategies can be tailored to each patient.

What do you think the benefits are of osteopathy?
The initial benefits of a treatment through osteopathic techniques are relief of symptoms like pain, but advice and re-assurance are an important aspect of what we offer. The longer term benefits include identification of the reasons for a patient’s symptoms, and offering solutions to these factors, whether as guidance or exercises. This allows patients to take control of their own recovery and health, in order to hopefully prevent or reduce the frequency of further symptom flare-ups.

What other interests do you have?
When not at work I enjoy socialising with friends and keeping fit through cycling and yoga. I am a fair weather walker and tennis player, and on those colder, wetter days I enjoy reading and baking. I also enjoy watching England play rugby – and hopefully winning!