CHRIS HARRIS, Osteopath, Cranial Osteopath, Osteodontic specialist BA hons, DO, FSCCO
Chris graduated as an Osteopath from the European School of Osteopathy in 1994 and according to him has not looked back since, having found his vocation. Luckily for him this college in particular gave a good undergraduate grounding in Cranial Osteopathy. Despite some initial reservations he notched up a number of formative and inspirational experiences in the school’s clinic, particularly with paediatric patients. He quickly realised that this was an area in which to specialise.
This he has done by study, training, and working alongside renowned figures in the field across the world. Postgraduate study and trainings with the Sutherland Cranial College which started in 1995 has led to a Fellowship within the organisation. In the UK he has worked closely with the Haydens, Hilary Percival and Nicholas Handoll amongst others. In New Zealand he spent time shadowing Anthony Norrie and trained with Maxwell Fraval. All this combined with 30years of patient centred work has helped him in the synthesis of his own unique approach.
He describes constantly attempting to extend the depth and reach of Osteopathic treatment. As a result of a chance encounter with a specialist dentist in 2003 he attended a conference and began developing his work in Osteodontics: the interface between dental/orthodontic intervention and Cranial Osteopathy. As part of this he completed several dento-orthopaedic courses run by the late great Skip Truitt. This has emerged as a very powerful and necessary area to work, particularly in the paediatric realm. There are obvious and lifelong health benefits from Dentists, Myofunctional therapists and Osteopaths plus other associated disciplines cooperating for patient benefit. This has in turn led to the passion and motivation exhibited in particular by members of the Society for Dentofacial Growth and Function. Working in this new, fast developing and exciting area forms a large part of Chris’s clinical work.
Despite this specialisation his work continues to be broad in scope. The youngest patient has been one day, the oldest 98years. He enjoys applying Osteopathic principles to the very wide variety of issues that patients present with.
He has worked professionally in the UK, New Zealand, Trinidad and casually in many other parts of the world. He recently travelled to Costa Rica with an organisation called Hands with Heart. This is an Osteopathic body dedicated to treating disabled children and young adults within indigenous communities.
He strongly asserts two particular things: that he loves and enjoys the work and that he will continue with it as long as possible even if he were to win the lottery.
