Dr Oliver Thomson PhD

08/12/2025

This March, I’m taking on the HYROX challenge to support people living with cancer — a cause that has been personally significant to me for over 20 years.

In 2002, I was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML), and although I’m incredibly fortunate to be well today, I couldn’t have got through that period without an incredible network of support around me. I want to help ensure that others receive the guidance, reassurance and practical support that can make all the difference at the most difficult of times.

So this year, I’m taking on HYROX London — a tough race combining running with functional fitness — as a way of giving something back. The event includes eight 1km runs, each followed by a workout station… it will be intense, challenging, and definitely outside my comfort zone, but that’s exactly why I’m doing it.

I’ve pledged to raise £400 to support Macmillan’s vital work across the UK. Their services provide emotional, financial and clinical support for people who are frightened, newly diagnosed, or trying to navigate realities that feel overwhelming.

Thank you so much for supporting me — and for supporting Macmillan.

It truly means the world.

— Sarah ♥️

04/12/2025

Small scale. Clinically meaningless. Statistically irrelevant.
⠀
And yet… absolutely essential.
⠀
Just published a new study testing the language and relevance of a survey tool (Osteo-TAQ) designed to understand how osteopaths think, reason, and treat in everyday practice.
⠀
We used cognitive interviews (n=6!) to make sure the questions actually made sense to UK osteopaths. Because before you can measure something, you need to know if people even understand the question.
⠀
Is it going to change clinical practice tomorrow? No.
Does it help us build more valid, meaningful research tools? Absolutely.
⠀
🧠📋 Now free to download at BMC Research Notes.

24/10/2025

A huge thank you to everyone who has taken part in the Osteo-TAQ UK study - after just two weeks, we’re approaching 500 responses! 🙌

If you’re an osteopath registered and practising in the UK, we’d love you to take part in this short survey exploring how osteopaths approach and deliver patient care.

Your input will help build a clearer picture of contemporary osteopathic practice and strengthen the evidence base for our profession.

🕒 It only takes around 10 minutes
🔗 Take part here: https://lnkd.in/eyX6DqB8

We hope the results will offer fresh insights and new evidence about osteopathic practice across the UK.

🧩 UK osteopaths – we want to find out how you practice!

We’re running a national research study to explore how osteopaths approach patient care and make clinical decisions in everyday practice.

This survey is part of the international Osteo-TAQ research programme led by researchers at the Centre for Osteopathic Research and Leadership (CORaL) at .sciences.university (HSU) in collaboration with (NCOR).

Your insights will help us better understand osteopathic practice and contribute to the growing evidence base for our profession.

⏱ The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete.

Take part:
👉 Click this link https://tinyurl.com/OsteoTAQUK (link also in bio)
👉 Scan the QR code in the post.

The research team ➡️ Brett Vaughan Elena Golder Dr Gopi Anne McLeod PhD Steve Vogel

Please share to your networks

20/10/2025

Typical! You finally book the appointment… and now your back pain’s gone! 😅

It’s common - back pain naturally fluctuates, and most of us seek help when it’s at its worst. The good news? Simple back pain usually gets better, but understanding why it started (and how to stop it coming back) is where we can really help.

Your back pain’s gone… but the appointment’s tomorrow. Do you cancel, or still go?

Drop your answer in the comments 👇🏻

13/10/2025

🧩 UK osteopaths – we want to find out how you practice!

We’re running a national research study to explore how osteopaths approach patient care and make clinical decisions in everyday practice.

This survey is part of the international Osteo-TAQ research programme led by researchers at the Centre for Osteopathic Research and Leadership (CORaL) at .sciences.university (HSU) in collaboration with (NCOR).

Your insights will help us better understand osteopathic practice and contribute to the growing evidence base for our profession.

⏱ The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete.

Take part:
👉 Click this link https://tinyurl.com/OsteoTAQUK (link also in bio)
👉 Scan the QR code in the post.

The research team ➡️ Brett Vaughan Elena Golder Dr Gopi Anne McLeod PhD Steve Vogel

Please share to your networks

24/08/2025

✨ Ny forskning ✨

En ny studie från SOLAR har publicerats i Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, där bland annat vår medlem Dr.Niklas Sinderholm Sposato medverkat som medförfattare.

En kommentar från Niklas om artikeln:
From a Swedish perspective, the findings touch on questions of scope, evidence and collaboration that feel highly relevant here as well, not least when it comes to identifying the potential roles of different professions in multidisciplinary care.

I am grateful to learn from and contribute to this international group, while also continuing the work with my wonderful colleagues at the University of Gothenburg. And I look forward to seeing what other valuable collaborations may emerge in the future.

📖 Vaughan B, Cerritelli F, Draper-Rodi J, Feehan J, Ferreira APA, m.fl. (2025). Characteristics of Australian and New Zealand osteopaths who treat patients presenting with non-musculoskeletal complaints: outcomes from two practice-based research networks. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies.

🔗 Länk till artikeln här:
https://chiromt.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12998-025-00598-9

13/08/2025

📢 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 – 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 🎓✨

It’s your chance to consider new possibilities and dream big. If you're considering your options, our friendly Admissions team will be happy to have a chat with you.

📍 You can apply to study the following courses in Bournemouth via Clearing:

🌟 Master of Chiropractic
🌟 Master of Chiropractic with Foundation Year
🌟 BSc (Hons) Sport Rehabilitation
🌟 BSc (Hons) Sport Rehabilitation with Foundation Year
🌟 BSc (Hons) Radiography (Radiotherapy and Oncology)

Get in touch today on our Clearing Hotline 01202 436315 or via email on admissions@aecc.ac.uk for applications to Bournemouth.

Our team will also be available from 9.00 – 17.00 on Saturday 16th August.

📍 You can apply to study the following courses in London via Clearing:

🌟 Master of Osteopathy: available both Full-time & Part-time

📞 If you are interested in applying to these courses in London, please call 020 7089 5316. You can also email admissions@aecc.ac.uk.

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗵𝘀𝘂.𝗮𝗰.𝘂𝗸/𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴

07/08/2025

Feeling lost in a sea of back pain advice? 🤯

The internet and SoMe is packed with tips, warnings, exercises, and frankly garbage. 🗑️

But here’s the truth: most acute back pain is not serious, and recovery is possible (and very likely) - even if it doesn’t feel like it right now.

If I could give you just three key pieces of advice for managing an acute flare-up, scroll to see what they would be.

👇🏻 Let me know below: Have you ever felt confused by all the advice out there for back pain? What helped you cut through the noise?

27/06/2025

🎙️ Female osteopaths in research — we want to hear YOUR voice!

The VOWS Project is exploring the experiences of women in osteopathy research. Share your journey in a 60–90 min online interview 💻

✅ Female osteopath
✅ Master’s degree or above
✅ At least 1 published paper
✅ Currently active in research
🌍 Open internationally
🗣️ English, French or Portuguese
🔒 Fully confidential

Led by researchers at with an international team from .sciences.university








💬 Help shape a more inclusive future.
📲 Fill out our interest form:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/3cUjQyFtzQ

11/06/2025

What’s the worst advice you’ve heard or been given about back pain? 👇🏻

02/06/2025

What do you do when a patient requests a treatment that in your judgment won’t help?

Just saying “no” rarely builds trust — and can shut down the conversation.

Evidence-based care doesn’t mean rigid care. It means listening, exploring beliefs, and collaborating on what works.

Of course there will be an ethical bottom line, such as delivering treatments that you know to be unsafe or carry and unacceptable risk of harm 🚩

However, outside of these contraindicated treatments, where many interventions show similar effect sizes and risks how do you approach these ethically tricky moments? 👇🏻