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 Rhian Osborne graduated from The British School of Osteopathy (BSO) in 1994. She wanted to be an osteopath from quite a young age. At 14 years old she knew that she loved human biology and wanted to do something that involved learning more about how the body worked. She also knew at that age she didn’t want to train as a doctor because of the very long shifts they did at the time. Her parents had visited osteopaths for treatment over the years and suggested she go along and look at what went on. From that day onwards she was hooked and never looked back.
After graduating Rhian spent a few months working in Italy. Once she had gained several years clinical experience she decided to apply to teach at the BSO. What better way to be challenged and keep up to date with the osteopathic world. She spent two years teaching clinical competence to final year students.
In 1997 she finished teaching at the BSO, as she was keen to develop her interest in paediatric osteopathy and enrolled onto the Osteopathic Centre for Children’s (OCC) postgraduate diploma course, which was part-time for 2 years. This qualification enhanced her practice of osteopathy enormously - not only for children - but for adults also. The practice of cranial osteopathy with another more skilled osteopath one day a week for 2 years ameliorated her skill in that field.
After graduating from the OCC she was invited back to teach there but declined as a senior tutor post at the BSO came up. This involved taking a group of students to a school for children with emotional and behavioural problems. This was immensely challenging, not only formulating a paediatric tutorial course but also dealing with the problems the children had plus handling the reactions from some of the students. The tutors would spend every other week discussing issues with a clinical psychologist to help both the children and students. This was a highly challenging course for the students, as it was taking them away from basic musculo-skeletal problems and introducing them to postgraduate osteopathic work. Most people think of osteopaths as treating back pain and nothing else. This concept gave Rhian the idea for the name of her practice ‘not just backs…’.
Rhian gave up teaching again after 2 years to open her new practice in 2005 in Salisbury. Along with the new practice the Baby Clinic was established. This dedicates a morning to our under 4’s. Two Osteopaths work on one child bringing great results at a faster rate. This clinic also gives mums support through those difficult first months. It allows mum to discuss their concerns and anxieties.
Getting all 3 practices Tisbury, Wilton and Salisbury working together and finding the correct reception staff to work with her was difficult. Rhian has achieved a lot, which accumulated in coming runner-up in South Wiltshire Business of the Year Award in 2006.
Apart from her paediatric interest, her other area of interest is chronic pain. It is very satisfying to treat a person that has pain for years and be able to change their life. It may not be a total cure, but to work with patients giving them realistic goals and challenges to help manage their pain is very important. With chronic pain sufferers, most that undergo private treatment are very proactive in getting better, so take on board what is discussed in their sessions. Rhian also loves treating neck problems and tension headaches.
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