Osteopathy is a rewarding profession that allows you to make a real difference to people’s health and wellbeing. But building a long-lasting and successful career takes more than just finishing your course. Whether you’re just starting out or changing careers, there are key steps—like hands-on training, smart networking, and business know-how—that can shape your future as an Osteopath.
If you are a newly qualified graduate or considering a career change, here are some tried-and-tested strategies for developing a fulfilling Osteopathy career.
Your clinical placements are more than a pathway to qualification—they’re your first steps into the profession. Treat every supervised clinic appointment as an opportunity to develop your communication skills, enhance patient confidence, and refine your real-world problem-solving abilities. Be proactive in seeking feedback from your tutors and clinical educators and reflect regularly on what you’ve learned.
Top tip: Keep a note of your reflective cases during your training to track your development and identify areas for improvement. The College of Osteopaths has a module called Personal Professional Portfolio which spans your four-year training programme supporting this activity.
Osteopathy is a close-knit profession, and building relationships with fellow students, alumni, tutors, and practitioners can open doors to opportunities you might not otherwise be aware of.
Attend events organised by professional bodies, such as the General Osteopathic Council CPD events and industry conferences, to meet others working in the field.
Top tip: Don’t wait until graduation to start networking—build connections while you’re still training. Don’t forget that your classmates often become your closest connections!
Graduating doesn’t always mean going straight into independent practice. Many newly qualified Osteopaths gain valuable experience by working alongside more established practitioners as associates or assistants. These roles give you a chance to focus on clinical excellence while learning about the business and operational aspects of running a practice.
Top tip: Don’t overlook part-time or shared-space opportunities in multidisciplinary clinics, gyms, or health centres.
Whether you’re planning to start your clinic or work as an associate, understanding the basics of business management is essential. Skills in marketing, finance, patient communication, and GDPR compliance all play a role in success. At the College of Osteopaths, our year four students spend two days with a specialist marketing consultant and also learn valuable business skills by helping with the day-to-day tasks in clinic.
Top tip: Start learning the fundamentals of bookkeeping, scheduling software, and patient records management while you train. Check out your local training colleges for courses or look online for a range of business courses. Associations such as the Chamber of Commerce or the Federation of Small Businesses offer many business resources and courses which you can access at a reasonable cost.
The best Osteopaths never stop learning. Keep your knowledge up to date by attending CPD sessions, following research updates, and engaging in peer discussions. As you grow in confidence, consider mentoring newer graduates or getting involved in local Osteopathic networks. Don’t forget that Osteopaths registered in the UK are required to complete a minimum of 30 hours Continuing Professional Development (CPD) each year, so that you can build some of your learning experiences around this requirement.
Top tip: Learning doesn’t stop at registration—build time for CPD and self-development into your schedule.
From sports Osteopathy and paediatrics to corporate wellbeing and the performing arts, Osteopaths work in a wide range of environments. Explore the niches that interest you and look for ways to build specialist experience or gain additional training. We have Osteopaths who work with St John’s Ambulance, Saracens Rugby and within the equestrian world, so the options are endless!
Top tip: Follow Osteopaths on social media who work in your areas of interest—they often share insights, case studies, and practical tips.
To bring these tips to life, we’re speaking to graduates from the College of Osteopaths who have built thriving and diverse careers.
Bradley is a highly skilled and highly experienced Osteopath from the UK who is dedicated to help patients achieve full recovery from their injuries. With over 30 years’ experience working with the human body, Bradley is very confident in applying Osteopathic treatment with dry needling and exercise therapy.
Originally from London, Bradley initially trained as a personal trainer, and worked with many elite athletes on strength and conditioning for 14 years, ranging from elite golfers and martial artists, to competitive CrossFit and powerlifting. Bradley then pursued a career in Osteopathy, graduating in 2007 from The College of Osteopaths in London, gaining a BSc with honours in Osteopathy.
After qualifying as an Osteopath, his skill sets earned him title of ‘Resident Osteopath’ at the prestigious Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland, where he worked for 3 years with golfers providing Osteopathic treatment, exercise and rehabilitation of sports injuries and working with high profile guests.
Having previously owned his own successful private practice, Bradley is acutely aware of the importance of building good relationships with his patients. He works with children through to geriatrics and prescribes both Osteopathy and evidence-based exercise to enhance results.
His career as an Osteopath has taken him to work in the UK, the Cayman Islands and Singapore. Now living and working in New Zealand, you can find out more about Bradley here: https://www.sportsOsteopath.co.nz/bradley
Rowann completed her Bachelor of Osteopathy degree (B.Ost) with the College of Osteopaths in 2023. During the five-year course, she covered a variety of modules which included extensive training in the musculoskeletal system, anatomy, and physiology. The course also included over 1200 hours of supervised clinical training, which allowed her to deliver optimised, personalised treatments for her patients. During her degree and through working in private clinics, Rowann had the opportunity to treat a wide range of people and complaints.
Since graduating, Rowann has continued to learn new skills and has become a Mummy MOT® practitioner. She has a keen interest in Women’s Health and is passionate about helping women to feel empowered and take control of their health. Rowann constantly strives to use Osteopathy to promote a more comfortable pregnancy, as well as a functional pre- & post-natal experience.
Since graduating, Rowann has completed further studies in paediatric Osteopathy to learn specific gentle techniques to help babies feel more comfortable and settled. She finds baby Osteopathy extremely rewarding, and it is lovely to see her baby patients respond so quickly to treatment. Being able to reassure parents and help their babies feel more comfortable is a genuine privilege.
Rowann works in various locations around Hull and East Yorkshire. You can find out more about her here: https://www.rowanntheOsteopath.co.uk
Your journey as an Osteopath doesn’t end at graduation—it’s just beginning. By staying open to learning, actively building your network, and seeking diverse experiences, you can shape a career that is not only professionally rewarding but also personally fulfilling.
Already qualified? If you’re a graduate from the College of Osteopaths and want to share your story, get in touch—we’d love to feature you.
Interested in studying Osteopathy? Discover how our flexible programme supports your career goals. Join us at our next Open Day or explore our Train with Us page for full details.
