Those who know me, know that I am non-stop with going on courses to help me perfect my art in the science of osteopathy and further my knowledge in the human body.

In Autumn 2025, after a few years of asking to help provide treatments as an osteopath, I was finally given the opportunity to further utilise my knowledge and skills as a volunteer Osteopath at Crisis at Christmas. I signed up to provide 3 days of Osteopathy to those who can benefit from treatment but cannot afford to or have enough capacity to reach out for additional help.

Who is Crisis?

Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. They are committed to ending homelessness – and Christmas is the right time to make it happen. Crisis helps people through the winter with care, advice, food and a safe place to stay. And that’s just the start of tailored, ongoing support that enables someone to begin a life out of homelessness.

My Reflection & Experience:

26th December 2025

On my first day, I didn’t know what to expect though I was aware of it being a women’s guest house. When I arrived the wonderful supervisors were running around getting things ready for a new day after a late evening of events for the Crisis at Christmas guests the previous night. They quickly arranged to show me around so I knew where everything was and where I will be providing the treatments. Whilst being shown around I saw a lady slowly pacing the corridor with eyes that showed so much pain and skin with a shade of grey, it made me cry inside. At the time I had no idea who this lady, except that she was one of the guests.

Once everything settled down the team managed to sign people up for treatments, low and behold the team asked me to see the lady I saw previously with a warning that the previous night she been screaming and cursing at a lot of people, she was in a bad way. When the time came she came in and we discussed her needs and I got to work as soon as I could as I had 30 minute slots for each guest on my list. After assessing her I progressed to treatment, I won’t forget the progress of the treatment… Despite feeling the heaviness in my heart and knowing there is never a full guarantee of painful in the first session, it was such a relief and beautiful moment when I saw her face slowly eased from her painful frown to a peaceful half-teary smile. It slowly melted with the tensions in her body that had caused her chronic pain. It was such a humbling moment which was priceless. To feel that pain and the surrounding areas of her body unravel from the years of holding… It is one of the reasons why I help people and go on courses to further interweave my practices to aid healing of the body. After her treatment, she had one of the most beautiful smiles that shines from her eyes, the staff and other guests were all so grateful to see how she had changed. Which goes to show how pain can change people’s character, yet all that is needed is listening to them and most importantly to their body and what their body wants.

Over the course of the day, I didn’t have as profound a treatment, however, I was happy to have been able to provide 6 others who were still very much in need of treatment.

27th December 2025

The following day I headed to a different centre. The centre was busier and had mixed gender guest, though more males than females. Also there were some guests who were homeless and without work, but but also homeless guests actively working hard in job searching or were working but looking for a home. Similar to the first centre, all the staff were on top of everything and made sure I had everything I needed in the room and signed people up for treatments.
My first patient of the day had lumbar pain for a few months and despite MRIs not showing anything in his spine he had pain and could not walk as well as he could. After examination I worked on the viscera as there were tensions from the anterior of his spine causing stiffness and pain into his back and down his legs. When he stood up and moved around, he had a baffled look on his face and seemed he couldn’t work out if he was still in pain or not, which is something that can and have happened to many before.
Following treatment, as I continued on with other guests, eventually when I had a break he came back to thank me with flowers, which was one of the loveliest gestures and I was so glad to be able to free him of the pain so he can continue to work on improving his life.
At this second visit, I only worked on 6 people as the previous day was emotionally heavy, but well worth my time.

1st January 2026

On my 3rd day, I was at another guest house, it was also mixed but a more calm atmosphere. Again I had a range of different patients some older, some young, some who spoke very little English. One of the most notable treatments from the day was working with a gentleman who had been active all his life from his ADHD. He didn’t have too many complaints but needed some maintenance and the feedback just melted my heart… “For as long as I can remember, this has been the first time my brain was still and silent.“. This was so wonderful to hear as I was utilising my knowledge from Manual Articulation of the Brain course (Barral Institute). I am so happy to be able to utilise the different techniques where needed.
It ended up being another busy day, where I worked on 8 people.

12th January 2026

By 12th January, some of the other centres have closed and I have been assigned back to the centre I had been to on the second day. I felt this worked out quite well because it allowed time between treatments and I was able to work in different environments. The team set up up quickly as we knew what we needed this time. I saw 8 people on the final day and was able to follow-up and see the progress with 2 of them. One was feeling a difference, whilst the other had so many chronic complications there was only some relief and progress. But despite that, he was very grateful to be receiving treatments and being cared for.

In Summary…

I felt that I made the right choice to have emailed the team again and join their wellness team to provide Osteopathy treatments. There is still so much that can be done to help people of various walks of life, which will take a lot of time and patients.

I sincerely hope that everyone, those I had met as well as those I haven’t met have good opportunities coming there way and that I have helped at least a little like a droplet of water causing ripples and waves.

Spread the Word:

Why Axolotls?

For privacy of all the guests no information or photography is allowed or shared. Therefore, I’ve represented the guests/patients as axolotls in the hope that they continue carrying the spirit of the creatures…