Martyn
Martyn Morgan
BSc (Hons) Psychology 1978
DO Diploma in Osteopathy BCNO (Now BCOM) 1988
What is your background?
Paradoxically, considering how fascinated I now am with the functioning of the human body, my first degree was in psychology.
Psychology is a subject which I enjoyed studying immensely and continue to maintain an interest in. During the course I realised just how little we understood about the human mind and body, and I also began to realise that the division between the two is artificial. Human beings should function as a healthy mind in a healthy body.
After working in market research for a number of years, I decided to train as an osteopath, as I realised that I wanted to work directly with people. I chose osteopathy as the training was the most extensive and thorough of all the complementary medicine courses and the only full time (four year) course.
I certainly found the osteopathy course to be very thorough and demanding compared with the psychology degree. There was a lot less speculation and more learning of scientific facts.
My undergraduate research was a study of palpatory (touch) perception used by osteopaths. I compared 1st year students, 4th year students and experienced osteopaths. It was very exciting to find just how much the skill of palpation developed with time.
What do you like about osteopathy?
The diversity of the people I meet as an osteopath is the one thing that I most enjoy. Almost everyone is so interesting to talk to and get to know. Sometimes I wish my appointments were longer. There can be few jobs that give as much job satisfaction as practicing as an osteopath. Before I started my training I had some osteopathic treatment. I went to the student clinic at the BCOM (British College of Osteopathic Medicine) where I trained. After the treatment I felt so much better I wondered why they were trying to keep it a secret!
After a few months in practice I felt very grateful to the college as I realised just how useful and effective the training had been.
I want to help let the secret out!
What do you think are the benefits of osteopathy?
Osteopathic assessment and treatment are useful after things have gone wrong but are just as useful as a preventative measure. I am just as happy to see people who are not aware of anything wrong with them, as those in pain. Checking spinal and cranial movement or the slight after-effects of old injuries can, I believe, prevent future problems and improve present quality of life.
What other interests do you have?
I love exercise, especially tennis. I enjoy weekly circuit training, and have come to appreciate the benefits of yoga even more as I have got older. Playing the saxophone is a new love, and I have recently started a saxophone quartet.
Patrick
Patrick Doherty
BSc (Hons) Ost, Biochem
What is your background?
Graduated from Bath University in 1984 with a Biochemistry Degree, 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.
Gabrielle
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, Dr Dennis Waldron, and also quickly began working in Fishponds with Martyn Morgan and developing the practice here.
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.
I am particularly interested in helping patients who have had long-standing or recurrent back pain. I combine the findings from my own research with prescribed exercises, usually Pilates exercises, to improve the balance in strength and co-ordination of the low back muscles.
What do you like about Osteopathy?
I like people. Practising Osteopathy and meeting such a variety of people is a privilege. 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?
I am unapologetically a home-bird. I enjoy DIY and sewing projects. Our son is now studying Art at University and I am looking forward to some more free time. Come the summer, I love to be in the garden, or walking – we are lucky enough to have some beautiful countryside on our doorstep.
Nina
Nina Hurrell
BSc(Hons) M.Ost
What is your background?
I have always been interested in the natural world, the human body as well as health and wellbeing. I initially studied Biological Science at Birmingham University. I loved the broad nature of the degree and enjoyed the microscopic as much as ecosystem biology. After a while travelling and working in finance I realised I wanted to do something more meaningful and in line with my beliefs. Osteopathy seemed to combine many elements that were important to me, particularly my love of science with my love of people. I qualified from the British School of Osteopathy, the largest and oldest osteopathy school in the UK, after 5 years of studying. I aim to keep studying throughout my osteopathic career and in April 2017 completed a postgraduate qualification in Osteopathy in the Cranial field.
What do you like about osteopathy?
The people! It’s great to get to know such a range of people. The diversity of people and why they have come to see an osteopath means that the job is never boring but is challenging and rewarding. I enjoy the time I have to explore the individual nature of each patient’s issue and tailor treatment to them specially. It is always interesting to see what other beneficial side effects osteopathic treatment may have, for example many patients say they sleep very well the day of treatment.
What do you think are the benefits of osteopathy?
It is a direct and natural way to alleviate pain and promote wellbeing. Because appointments are usually available within a few days, the initial problem can be resolved as quickly as possible without secondary problems or compensations occurring. Also appointments are often longer than usual with healthcare practitioners; patients have time and space to discus anything that may be concerning them. Osteopathy is as useful for an acute injury as it is for a gradual build up of life’s stresses and strains. Over the longer term I think it provides patients with an improved sense of well being and more awareness of their body. Patients more in tune with their bodies are better able to care for themselves and know when ‘something is not quite right’.
What other interests do you have?
For me an ideal weekend would be either hiking, being by the sea or exploring a new place! I also love being in Bristol and when here I enjoy yoga, cycling, dancing and food – whether that’s cooking it or trying one of the many new places opening in Bristol. When the weather is not so great, I enjoy reading (any and everything) or trying out a new craft.