Karen Thornton-Smith BSc (Hons) Ost, DO
My name is Karen Thornton-Smith and I am the therapist at Long Lane Clinic. I moved to Curridge in 2016, and I share my home with my husband, David, one dog, two cats, and a steadily increasing number of hens. I love my work and my aim is to bring the many benefits of affordable manual therapy to the local community.
My own interest in manual therapy grew over many years of receiving osteopathic treatment. After a career in advertising, and spending time at home as a full-time mother, I took four years out to train at the European School of Osteopathy in Maidstone, graduating in 2010. I ran my own local practice in my old village home of Rusthall in Kent as well as working as an associate in a number of other busy osteopathic practices. I also spent a year at the Horder Centre, an orthopaedic Centre of Excellence in East Sussex, developing osteopathic services to work alongside the existing physiotherapy team.
I now work part time as a manual therapist. After nearly 14 years working as an osteopath, I chose to retire from the Register of the General Osteopathic Council in April 2024: the title is protected and you may only call yourself an Osteopath if you are registered with the GOsC.
Drawing on my experience and years in practice, my treatment is always tailored to the individual requirements of each patient. The techniques I employ are varied: they may include gentle joint articulation and manipulation, stretching and soft tissue massage, and I often use my interest in yoga to help patients with stretching and relaxation techniques. I am also trained in the use of Western medical acupuncture which I often suggest as a supplementary treatment for the relief of stiff and painful muscles.