Career moves: From photography to osteopathy

The move involved an intensive five years of study and cost tens of thousands of pounds.

Now a fully-qualified osteopath, the 44-year-old has set up his own business at Westferry Studios, where he tackles a range of ailments.

He said: "I was quite happy as a medical photographer but I suppose I had a bit of a mid-life crisis and I needed a change.

"I came across osteopathy and it really appealed to me."

David grew up in Pontyclun, Wales, before relocating to London. It was there he played rugby for London Welsh - a pursuit which ultimately led to his chosen occupation.

He said: "I got into it through my own problems with back pain from years of playing as a flanker.

"I went to see an osteopath and it was at the time I was thinking about changing career. Within a few visits the back pain had gone."

David then enrolled in a course at the London School of Osteopathy, while keeping his job as a photographer to help pay for it.

The course involved 600 hours in clinic in the final year and every other weekend in college.

He said: "You tend to find you can work pretty much full-time up until the third year. Luckily I was made redundant so got a full year's salary."

Following graduation, with savings and a small bank loan, David set up his own surgery next to Westferry DLR.

Just a few months in he is enjoying the challenge of starting his own business.

He said: "It's been harder than I thought to start a new business. I've joined networking groups but these things take time.

"But my ambition from the beginning was to have my own clinic. It means running it the way I want to."

Despite most people probably thinking osteopaths just deal with back pain, there is lot more to the job.

They also help injuries or strains to many other joints, bones and muscles, and even tackle lifestyle problems.

David said: "We look at the big picture, not just symptoms.

"First we do case history then a full medical examination. We pinpoint where the pain is coming from and address if there's anything in your physique or lifestyle which will make you hurt. We've so many techniques we can use."

An important factor an osteopath also has to look at is whether a patient's personal problems are having an effect.

David said: "Emotional stress can have a big impact on your health."

Another generally-held belief of osteopathy is that treatments can be lengthy and costly, but he said that this is not the case.

"If you're getting fixed it shouldn't be that expensive," he said. "We have a belief that if you're not fixed in six treatments something's gone wrong.

"It's in our interests to make people better as soon as possible as word of mouth and referrals are key to growth."

David is supported by a team of osteopaths and a sports psychologist.

His fiancée, Elaine, works with him as a strength coach and is also an expert in biosignature - a theory created by Canadian sports coach Charles Poliquin which determines the relationship between body fat levels and different hormones.

From this a diet and exercise plan can be created.

A few months into having his own business, David has no regrets about changing his career path.

He said: "Seeing the results I get, it's quite empowering. In some ways it's fulfilling. You get enjoyment from making them feel better."

Go to langdonosteopathy.com for more details.