Lucy Gardner

I qualified as an osteopath from the British School of Osteopathy (BSO), the largest and oldest school of osteopathy in the UK. It is respected throughout the world for providing high-quality, innovative and modern osteopathic education with the largest osteopathic clinic in Europe.

Osteopathy is my second career having qualified as a Chartered Accountant in South Africa in the early 90’s. I have worked in many organisations since then and I am very familiar with the stresses, both physical and mental, that working in a sedentary office type occupation places on our mental and physical well-being.

I understand only too well from my own previous back problems the contribution that this type of occupation places on injuries especially back, neck and shoulder pain. The search for a solution to my own condition led me to my career change. As a hobby, I initially studied Shiatsu, a Japanese form of acupressure, which started my love and passion for manual therapy and opened my eyes to its ability to help with many soft tissue and joint problems that conventional medicine seem at a loss to be able to address effectively.

Having already achieved the highest level of qualification in the accounting field I wanted the same high quality education for my second career and embarked on a 4-year full time degree course with the British School of Osteopathy with its obvious credentials.

All osteopaths practicing in the UK have completed rigorous training.  Students of osteopathy follow a four year degree course, during which they study anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, nutrition and biomechanics. In addition they undergo a minimum of 1,000 hours of clinical training.

Many of my patients comment on the calming and caring quality of my touch and I feel privileged to be allowed to use this ability to improve the quality of others lives. I am passionate about maintaining up to date information and learning new skills. This is just an example of the professional development courses attended.

1. Western Medical Acupuncture – British Medical Acupuncture Society

2. Myofascial Release Magic – Ellis Taylor and John Annan

3. Graston Technique – innovative instrument assisted soft tissue mobilisation

4. Rehabilitation of the Shoulder

5. Treatment and Exercise in the year of Pregnancy

6. McTimoney-Corley adjustment technique – The ‘Flick’

7. The Sarah Key Method – Physiotherapist to the Royal Family using a unique treatment where the practitioner treats with her feet! Absolutely wonderful.