Tim is a Registered Osteopath having studied Clinical and Osteopathic Medicine for five years at the London School of Osteopathy.

Tim also trained in Cranial Osteopathy to post-graduate level at The Sutherland Cranial College, and in Cranio-Sacral Therapy to CST II level at The Upledger Institute. He trained in Sports Injuries Therapy at the Academy of Sports Therapy, and has many years training in Tai Chi Chuan and specialist experience in the Alexander Technique and postural re-education.

Tim enjoys treating patients of all ages including new-born babies. His area of expertise is jaw pain or TMJ (Temporo-mandibular joint) dysfunction. The temporal bones may be disturbed by a person’s dental bite which puts unnecessary strain into the jaw sockets. This may be caused by facial trauma. The most common facial trauma is from tooth extraction. A common age for extraction is between 9 and 12 years to correct overcrowding, or later on with wisdom tooth extraction. Poorly fitted fillings, and teeth grinding can also cause problems. Inherited factors, previous trauma and poor postural habits can also contribute to jaw problems. Other symptoms can be seen if the temporal bones are not functioning correctly. When they are not allowed to move freely in a balanced way they can impede vascular flow to and from the brain, cause tight neck muscles and irritate your nervous system. He has successfully treated many patients with a variety of symptoms as a result:

• Headaches and migraines; poor concentration and short term memory problems; ear aches and predisposition to infections such as glue ear in children.
• Neck and back pain with postural fatigue and a sense of being out of alignment.
• An insidious background state of stress and anxiety and over time irritable bowel syndrome and other autonomic disturbances such as shallow breathing and increased heart rate.

Obviously not all dental work is bad, some dentist now appreciate the fine balance between their patient’s mouths’ and their musculo-skeletal symptoms. Cranial Osteopathic work may not be enough in some cases to resolve their problems and referral of patients for dental orthopaedic work may be advised.

Journey to Osteopathy

Tim suffered chronic back pain as a younger man bringing his dream of agriculture and wildlife management to an abrupt end, but led him to work intensively with Walter Carrington, Director of the Holland Park School of Alexander Technique Teachers – his interest in the human body began, applying himself rigorously for over seven years learning the intricate details of body mechanics from the inside out.  He found Osteopathy and specifically Cranial Osteopathy to be the most effective treatment for his pains, in collaboration with dental orthopaedics and orthodontics.