Who we are
Meet your osteopaths!
A little bit about us at Honiton Osteopathic Centre
David Douglas-Mort (DO, BA, PGDip CrO)
David qualified from the British School of Osteopathy in 1976, and set up in practice with Rowan. A strong interest in Cranial Osteopathy led to specialisation in this subject, and after study in USA he has taught Cranial Osteopathy at both Postgraduate (on Sutherland Cranial Teaching Foundation courses) and Undergraduate (BSO) level from 1985 to date. Honiton Osteopathic centre was opened by David and Rowan in 1982.
HRH Princess Anne presents the PGDip CrO to David
Whilst teaching and practising, he gained a BA in behavioural science from the Open University, and last year was presented with a PG Dip CrO from the BSO. The latter is the highest clinical award in Cranial Osteopathy in Europe, and the research carried out for this will hopefully lead to several published papers. David and Rowan are currently undertaking research into Equine Osteopathy.
In 2007 David was invited to become a teaching member of the Sutherland Cranial College [MSCC]. This organisation is dedicated to providing an organised pathway for post graduate osteopaths wishing to learn the extra skills required to practice cranial osteopathy.
Playtime (When time allows) consists of looking after the horses, surfing, chugging around the country in an old motorcaravan, restoring a 16th century farm, restoring old Bentleys, and practicing Jodo and Iaido (representing GB in European competition).
Rowan Douglas-Mort (DO, BA, PGDip CrO)
Rowan first became interested in training to become an Osteopath after her mother received beneficial treatment for an excrutiating neck problem that orthodox medicine could not help, but Osteopathy did. Her initial desire was to study to become a vet, but Osteopathy became the final choice, and in 1972 she enroled as a student at the 'British School of Osteopathy' on their 4yr full time course graduating in 1976 with a D.O. in Osteopathy. It was here that she met her partner David
The course covered in depth many similar topics to medicine and additionally included training in the specialist ‘hands-on’ palpation skills needed for the Osteopathic diagnosis and treatment process.
In the final years of her training Rowan started to study Cranial Osteopathy, the brain child of Osteopath Dr William G Sutherland. This involved learning detailed anatomy and the extremely refined techniques used in this approach. Since 1974 the development of her own understanding of, and the teaching of others Cranial Osteopathy has been a major part in her life.
Additionally whilst in practice, she studied with the Open University, and in 1984 obtained a B.A. degree in behavioural science.
Throughout this period Rowan has worked closely alongside her partner David Douglas-Mort, and as senior members of the British School of Osteopathy post graduate teaching faculty, has played a major part in developing courses in Cranial Osteopathy to university validated MSc level.
These courses enable the training of postgraduate Osteopaths in the use of cranial Osteopathy applied to patients of all ages with all manner of acute or age related problems, including the treatment of ear nose throat and dental related conditions. Rowan is also involved in the training of Osteopaths to treat the common conditions suffered by infants, children and adolescents utilising the gentle treatment approach of Cranial Osteopathy.
In 2007 Rowan was also invited to become a teaching member of the 'Sutherland Cranial College' [MSCC]. This college is an additional educational body that provides a stringent pathway of training for postgraduate osteopaths wishing to learn to become profficient in the extra skills needed to practice cranial osteopathy.
Other areas of interest have included the study of radionics, iridology, homeopathy, herbal medicine, and nutrition.
In 2001 Rowan [accompanied by David] visted Japan as honourary Osteopaths, taking care of the G.B. Iaido and Jodo Martial Arts team at the first International seminar and competition held in Kyoto.
HRH Princess Anne presents the PGDip CrO to Rowan
In autumn 2005 Rowan was presented with the P.G. Dip in Cranial Osteopathy by the Princess Royal, the patron of the British School of Osteopathy. This is currently the highest externally validated clinical award in cranial osteopathy. It represented many hours of work including the completion of a research project within the field of cranial osteopathy and presentation of the resulting thesis. It is hoped to continue with further research, although absence of funding makes this difficult and protracted.
Currently Rowan is undertaking a long term project involving the development and extension of cranial osteopathy for the treatment of animals. Over the last 25yrs, with David’s help, she has been adapting the sucessful techniques used to treat humans, for the treatment of animals.
This work represents an exciting and interesting challenge; it involves understanding the anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, psychology and nature of the animal according to its species. This knowledge is then married with the principles of Osteopathy in order to provide a suitable approach to treatment for the animal patient.
For the future it is planned to run educational courses to assist other osteopaths who want to develop animal treatment skills; with a particular emphasis on utilising behavioural approaches and Osteopathic skills in order to make treatment as pleasant for the patient, and as safe for the clinician as possible. Also in the process of development, is a reference text on the same subject.
When not at work most time is spent with their her own animals, maintaining the pasture and hedges, gardening, studying and researching, and for relaxation, taking breaks in the motorcaravan with David, surfing, walking, and practicing martial arts.
Penny Price BSc DO
From this autumn Penny is no longer able to assist at Honiton Osteopathic Centre, as she needs to spend more time looking after her busy family. We hope that cutting her work load will assist this process and wish her well. We shall of course be keeping in touch, and Penny will likely visit us at HOC from time to time.
In the meantime so as to ensure continuity of patient care, principals David or Rowan will be happy to offer ongoing osteopathic treatment to those patients in need who have previously been seen by Penny here at this centre.