Meet Verity Kelsey: Why I Became an Osteopath in Tunbridge Wells
My journey to osteopathy began during my adult nursing training at King’s College London. While playing hockey at university, I sustained back and knee injuries that led me to osteopathic treatment. It wasn’t just the physical recovery that sparked my interest, it was the holistic approach. My osteopath looked at every dimension of my health: biological, psychological, social, emotional, and mental. The treatment, exercise rehabilitation, and lifestyle advice were all tailored to my specific needs and values. My osteopath took the time to help me take agency over my own health and educate me on how I could excel in my sport and long-term wellbeing. This experience didn’t just get me back to sport. It fundamentally changed how I viewed my role as a healthcare practitioner and the potential impact I could have on patients’ lives. That’s when I changed careers to become an osteopath!
Life Before Osteopathy
Aside from a brief childhood dream of becoming David Attenborough’s assistant, I’d always been drawn to healthcare, which led me to pursue nursing. My two years in nursing school gave me foundational experiences that still shape my osteopathic practice. Through placements such as surgical, intensive care, and oncology units, I learned to support people in their most vulnerable moments which has been an invaluable skill for me to support my work as an osteopath.
I grew up in a competitive, sports-oriented family with brothers who kept me on my toes. Hockey became a significant part of my life, taking me all over the world through school, club & university teams.
The physical side of the body became fascinating to me later. It was only when I experienced my own sports injuries that I became fascinated by biomechanics, building physical resilience, and helping others develop body literacy. These skills enhance so many aspects of life beyond just sport.
My Training at the University College of Osteopathy
I completed a five-year part-time master’s degree in Osteopathy at the University College of Osteopathy (now called HSU). It was incredibly demanding, far more academically challenging than I’d anticipated, even after the intensity of nursing training. The rigorous exams and depth of understanding required for human anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology genuinely surprised me. As someone who’s naturally drawn to being outside, playing sports, and working with my hands, the long hours of study and exam preparation were particularly challenging.
To tackle this challenge, I co-created a podcast during my first year to document our journey to becoming osteopaths, share study advice, and interview healthcare students and practitioners. What began as a study tool evolved into something much bigger. The podcast reached listeners in 83 countries and territories, with over 30,000 downloads! It enabled me to build friendships and connections with students, osteopaths, and allied health professionals globally, which greatly enriched my education and love of my profession.
The moment everything truly clicked for me was in my fourth year, when we started working with patients in the university clinic. Being back working with real people, which I love, made all the academic theory come alive. I could finally apply my knowledge to actual patients, which is where my passion has always been. The benefit of our university being in central London meant we had a wonderfully diverse population coming through the clinic with all sorts of injuries and conditions, which gave us incredible opportunities to learn, support, and grow our clinical knowledge.
My First Patients
I was eager to start treating patients. My first case as a newly qualified osteopath was both challenging and formative: a construction worker with a suspected disc herniation. He was in severe pain but determined to return to work and football as quickly as possible. Disc issues are fairly common for osteopaths, and this case taught me the essential skill of managing intense pain while supporting recovery goals.
My understanding of osteopathy evolved significantly during this time. At university, we’d learned a rigid, textbook approach to screening and assessing patients, one that often led to overcomplicating cases. Through practice, I developed simpler, more methodical approaches that remain evidence-informed but are adapted to real-world people and problems. As I gained confidence and experience, I learned to tailor treatments and protocols to each individual’s unique needs and body. This skill is invaluable when you’re seeing back-to-back patients: a 6ft4 rugby player, then a 5ft gymnast, then a 90-year-old nanny.
The most valuable lesson, one I still need reminding of, is that there’s no single “right way” to practice osteopathy. Recognizing that different approaches resonate with different patients helps avoid imposter syndrome. You can’t be everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s okay. Accepting this is essential for building an authentic, effective practice where you collaborate with patients to achieve the results you both want.
How I Work with Patients
If you’ve never seen an osteopath before, I’d describe how I like to work as a really collaborative process. We’ll start with what’s going on for you, what you’ve already tried, and (most importantly) what you actually want to get back to: your goals, values, and what matters in your day-to-day life. I don’t just focus on “where it hurts”; I’m interested in the whole story and the things that might be getting in the way of recovery.
My approach is strongly orientated around improving movement through exercise rehabilitation, supported by manual therapy and health education. That means I’ll often use hands-on treatment to reduce symptoms and help you move more comfortably, but we’ll also work actively together on building strength, capacity, and confidence, so you’re not relying on treatment forever.
I’ve had the benefit of working with lots of people living with chronic pain, including patients pre- and post-surgery. Those patients are often incredibly resilient, with a hilariously dark sense of humour and working with them reminds me what a privilege it is to be able to move without pain. Something I like to work with people in pain with is that pain is more than “damage equals pain”. The nervous system, stress, sleep, work demands, beliefs about pain, and past experiences can all influence how pain shows up, especially with persistent or recurring problems. A big part of my job is helping you make sense of what’s happening in your body so it feels less scary and more manageable, this is where we make the real progress.
A good outcome for me isn’t just “the pain went away”. It’s when someone feels stronger and more empowered, understands their body better, and can do the small daily things that matter: getting through a workday comfortably, playing with kids, training without fear, walking further, or feeling like movement is something they can enjoy again.
Osteopath, Physiotherapist, or Chiropractor: What's the Difference?
I also get asked a lot about the difference between osteopaths, physiotherapists, and chiropractors. Honestly, there often isn’t a huge difference. There is overlap, and people within each profession practise in different ways. My style is often closer to a physiotherapy approach, with lots of exercise rehab alongside manual therapy and education. I don’t base much of my practice on HVLA “clicking” techniques. I prefer a more active, progressive approach that you can take ownership of and feel empowered by, using a mix of joint articulation (with the occasional satisfying click), clinical & sports massage, and exercise rehabilitation.
Why I Joined AG Osteopathy
AG Osteopathy appealed to me because it aligns with how I want to practise: evidence-informed, patient-centred, and genuinely collaborative. I value how the clinic supports people as whole humans, not just a body part, and I love being part of a team where each clinician brings different strengths, while the shared goal is always great care. A huge bonus is the sports environment and being surrounded by people and colleagues who love movement!
What I Want You to Know Before Your First Appointment
I want patients to feel listened to, never rushed, and like we’re a team. I want them to feel safe to ask questions, understood as a whole person, and clear on a plan that fits their life. Not just “I feel better”, but “I get what’s going on, I know what to do next, and I feel in control again”.
Before your first appointment, know this: osteopathy can help you make sense of your symptoms and build a clear, realistic plan forward. You don’t need perfect habits or complicated supplements. A good osteopath listens to your full story, checks for anything serious, and helps you move and cope better day to day, using hands-on treatment when it’s useful, plus exercise rehab and education to build long-term strength and confidence. Often the biggest wins come from the basics: moving a bit more, eating well more often, and prioritising sleep and we’re here to help you feel less overwhelmed and more in control over your own health.
Life Outside the Clinic
Outside of work, sport and being outdoors keep me grounded and energised. I’ve always loved movement, not just training for performance, but for the mental reset it gives. At the moment, I’m loving cross training with cycling, strength training, and (very slow) trail running. Being outside, getting fresh air, and having something physical to focus on is where I feel most like myself.
How Being an Osteopath Has Changed How I Look After Myself
Being an osteopath has also changed how I live and look after my own body. I’m more patient with myself, more consistent with strength work, and more mindful that long-term health is built through small, repeatable habits. I’ve also become better at listening to early warning signs, pacing when I need to, and focusing on the basics that actually move the needle: sleep, stress, recovery, and feeling confident in my body rather than trying to be “perfect”.
The Ideas That Have Shaped My Practice
A few ideas and people have really shaped how I think about health and the body. Rita Charon’s work on narrative medicine has been hugely influential in how I listen, how I make space for someone’s full story, and how I think about meaning and identity in recovery. Brené Brown’s work has also impacted how I understand vulnerability, shame, and resilience, and how those things show up in pain, injury, and behaviour change.
