An educational workshop delivered to the Ilford Vocational Training Scheme for General Practitioners: MSK an Alternative Perspective:
Last month, I had the privilege of delivering a postgraduate training seminar to General Practitioners in London, offered to the current cohort of approximately 90 trainee GPs.
I was formally invited and commissioned to deliver a 3 hour training workshop that would help inform the future GP’s of our country of the alternative perspectives of Musculoskeletal case management. Something that currently accounts for approximately 1 in 4 of all GP consultations.
As a Doctor of Chiropractic, a UCA (united chiropractic association) member, a GNC (General Naturopathic Council) representative, as well as being the founder of ICAHT (The Institute of Clinically Applied Holistic Therapies), this opportunity carried a lot of weight and responsibility.
Before going into the details of the workshop I would like to formally thank Dr Huma Vorah, one of the senior GP trainers for being so open minded & forthcoming by formally inviting and commissioning me to deliver this seminar.
A Rare and Valuable Opportunity
In my 18 years of clinical practice, I have frequently encountered an indirect communication gap between general practitioners and practitioners of alternative medicine. Often, this gap is not rooted in disagreement – but in unfamiliarity.
At the beginning of the seminar, I asked three simple questions to the room:
Has anyone previously attended a lecture delivered by a chiropractor?
Has anyone ever observed chiropractic care firsthand?
Did anyone feel confident explaining what chiropractic is?
The answer to all three was unanimous: no.
This immediately highlighted something important – not resistance, but absence of exposure. And with absence of exposure comes misunderstanding. This workshop became an opportunity to build that bridge.
What We Covered
Throughout the seminar, we explored many subjects but I initially took the time and opportunity to help educate the trainee GP’s on the fundamental structure of alternative medicine and its practice in the UK.
We covered:
The various practitioners of alternative medicine & their titles
The various structures of Volentariy & statutory regulation in the UK (GCC/GOC/GNC)
Chiropractic education in contrast to Medical Education
The use of the Doctor of Chiropractic Title
Vitalistic care versus reductionist models
Innate Intelegence & its place in understanding our role as primary physicians
The importance of the Nervous system in all aspects of function & disease
The definition of health, health care & the current model of sick care
In the second half of the workshop we focused more specifically on MSK management and covered:
The 3 foundations of health
Spinal mechanics & its implications on wider health
An introduction to Fascia as a sensory organ system
Management strategies for common MSK presentations
The context of alternative practices in MSK management
We discussed how chiropractic training closely mirrors medical education in its foundational sciences during the first four to five years – anatomy, neurology, pathology, diagnosis – before diverging in therapeutic approach and philosophy.
We also explored how research funding structures can influence the evidence landscape, particularly in areas not supported by pharmaceutical investment. This generated thoughtful and constructive discussion.
We concluded the workshop with live demonstrations of:
Chiropractic Adjustments (Cervical, Thoracic & Lumbar) explaining case based contexts of their application
IASMT for soft tissue assessment and treatment
Dry cupping therapy for tissue mobilisation, stimulation and recovery
What We Covered
Throughout the seminar, we explored many subjects but I initially took the time and opportunity to help educate the trainee GP’s on the fundamental structure of alternative medicine and its practice in the UK.
We covered:
The various practitioners of alternative medicine & their titles
The various structures of Volentariy & statutory regulation in the UK (GCC/GOC/GNC)
Chiropractic education in contrast to Medical Education
The use of the Doctor of Chiropractic Title
Vitalistic care versus reductionist models
Innate Intelegence & its place in understanding our role as primary physicians
The importance of the Nervous system in all aspects of function & disease
The definition of health, health care & the current model of sick care
In the second half of the workshop we focused more specifically on MSK management and covered:
The 3 foundations of health
Spinal mechanics & its implications on wider health
An introduction to Fascia as a sensory organ system
Management strategies for common MSK presentations
The context of alternative practices in MSK management
We discussed how chiropractic training closely mirrors medical education in its foundational sciences during the first four to five years – anatomy, neurology, pathology, diagnosis – before diverging in therapeutic approach and philosophy.
We also explored how research funding structures can influence the evidence landscape, particularly in areas not supported by pharmaceutical investment. This generated thoughtful and constructive discussion.
We concluded the workshop with live demonstrations of:
Chiropractic Adjustments (Cervical, Thoracic & Lumbar) explaining case based contexts of their application
IASMT for soft tissue assessment and treatment
Dry cupping therapy for tissue mobilisation, stimulation and recovery
Addressing Misconceptions
In clinical practice, I have encountered situations where patients progressing well under chiropractic care were advised to discontinue treatment by their GP’s or consultants due to perceived risk – often based on limited understanding of what we do.
One of my core objectives during this seminar was to provide clarity:
What chiropractic is
What it is not
Where it fits appropriately in patient care
How care is always context based
How it can coexist alongside conventional medicine
The session was not about opposition. It was about integration.
Healthcare should not be fragmented. Patients benefit most when professionals understand each other’s roles and communicate effectively.
Regulation and Professional Standards
We also discussed the robust regulatory frameworks governing complementary medicine in the UK. Chiropractic is not an unregulated or informal discipline – it requires rigorous academic training, clinical competency, and adherence to professional standards.
We highlighted that many disciplines of naturopathic health also adhere to national occupational standards and have structured frameworks of training and regulation in place to facilitate professional practice.
Clarifying this was particularly important, as many attendees had previously been unaware of the depth of formal education involved, particularly in chiropractic.
The Feedback
What was most inspiring was the engagement.
The trainees asked thoughtful, challenging, and constructive questions. By the end of the session, the tone of the room had shifted from uncertainty to curiosity and professional respect.
Several attendees expressed that the seminar had reshaped their understanding of alternative medicine and provided a more balanced framework for advising future patients.
There was also open dialog about the limitations and restraints GPs are under within the NHS and how those can sometimes hinder their abilities to deliver optimal care to their patients.
The formal feedback received in the following days reinforced this shift:
80% of attendees rated the workshop as “Excellent”
90% agreed or strongly agreed they would consider collaborative dialogue or referral to a chiropractor where clinically appropriate
95% reported an increased understanding of chiropractic practice following the session
This level of feedback highlights something deeper than satisfaction – it reflects a meaningful shift in perception, confidence, and willingness to collaborate across disciplines.
For me, that is impact.
Why This Matters
Being commissioned to deliver training to the next level of GP’s is not just a personal achievement – it represents progress.
Progress toward:
Better interdisciplinary communication
Greater mutual understanding
Safer, more informed patient guidance
A healthcare system that acknowledges multiple valid perspectives
As clinicians, we all share the same ultimate goal: improving patient outcomes.
If we can replace assumption with education, and division with dialogue, everyone benefits – especially our patients.
Moving Forward
I remain committed to:
Advancing clinically applied holistic therapies
Strengthening collaboration between healthcare disciplines
Delivering evidence-informed, patient-centred care
Continuing postgraduate education at the highest level
If you are a healthcare professional, training body, or institution interested in interdisciplinary education in musculoskeletal medicine or holistic clinical approaches, I welcome the opportunity to collaborate.