Our Team

All our Osteopaths are hugely passionate and committed to their work. As well as the minimum 4 years full time training to become a member of the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC), they are dedicated to the lifelong study of osteopathy and attend regular Postgraduate training courses to develop their understanding and skills.

Senior Osteopaths

Neil Hayden

MSc Paed Ost, Bsc(Hons) Ost, FSCCO.ed

Being treated as a child and growing up around Osteopathy, witnessing its benefits at a young age led Neil to studying Osteopathy, qualifying in 2005 and joining the Churchdown Osteopaths team in 2007. Neil continues to constantly be amazed by Osteopathy's potential and takes immense satisfaction in helping people of all ages.

  • He completed a masters degree in paediatric Osteopathy in 2008, which involved spending time working with babies in a neonatal intensive care unit. Neil teaches in the UK and europe and is on the board of trustees of the Sutherland Cranial College of Osteopathy (SCCO), finding this incredibly stimulating and rewarding, keeping the work fresh and interesting. Outside of work, Neil is a dad to two young girls that always keep him busy, though he still tries to get to the beach and have the odd surf when he can.

Clive Hayden

MSc (Ost), D.O, FSCCO.ed

Clive graduated from the British School of Osteopathy, in 1977, and later attained a Masters Degree with the European School of Osteopathy in 2001. Clive teaches Cranial Osteopathy worldwide to postgraduate osteopaths, and in the UK with the Sutherland Cranial College of Osteopathy, where he is a past chairman.

  • He has a strong interest in paediatric osteopathy, and has done a research trial into the osteopathic treatment of Infantile Colic in babies, subsequently writing a patient information book ‘Understanding Infant Colic‘. Clive finds keeping active and fit through cycling and horse riding (including all the physical work that goes with horse-care and land management - ie playing on his tractor!) as well as taking special interest in nutrition has been of massive benefit in helping maximise and optimise his health, providing an ideal counterbalance to the intensity and concentration of his work.

Liz Hayden

D.O. FSCCO.ed

Liz graduated from the British School of Osteopathy in 1978, is a founder member and past Chair person of the Sutherland Cranial College of Osteopathy (SCCO) and is still actively involved in the wider development of the Osteopathic profession.

  • She has been involved in teaching postgraduate osteopaths most of her practicing life, both the UK and worldwide, and enjoys the stimulation and new ideas that teaching brings. Liz has a strong interest in paediatric osteopathy and has authored the book ‘Osteopathy for Children’. She is passionate about the holistic benefits that osteopathic treatment can bring to whole body health. Liz counterbalances her busy work life by enjoying an outdoor lifestyle and spending time exploring the beautiful Cotswolds on her horse, she is also in demand with her increasing number of grandchildren.

Hans Carpani

D.O., D.P.O

Hans has been part of the fabric at Churchdown Osteopaths for as long as we can remember, in truth, it is probably around 25 years! Hans is unique and a man of many talents (biography writing not being one of them).

  • A hugely experienced Osteopath, Hans has done pretty much every course on Osteopathy in the cranial field possible, often multiple times. At work he is our resident horticulturist and on the rare times we let him escape, he can often be seen heading for the open road on his motorbike, guitar strapped to his back.

Clare Pitman

D.O. MSCCO

Clare studied at the European School of Osteopathy, graduating in 1993, and has been part of the team at Churchdown Osteopaths ever since. She has also worked at the Osteopathic Centre for Children in London and has studied the Biodynamic Osteopathy series of eight post-graduate courses alongside bringing up her children.

  • Clare is passionate about continuing to develop and refine her Osteopathic skills and continues to study and to tutor students. She has worked with compassionate communication (NVC) for many years and offers a holistic approach encompassing all aspects of a person within the treatment. Beyond Osteopathy, Clares passion is for music, singing in a small close harmony group and playing in the Stroud Symphony Orchestra.

Associate Osteopaths

Becky Hall

MSc Paed Ost, BSc (Hons) Ost. Med, N.D., D.O

Following a career in teaching, Becky graduated in 2004 and joined Churchdown Osteopaths shortly after. Whilst studying, she also qualified and worked as a massage therapist, working at elite sporting events such as the Athens Olympics.

  • Becky has since completed a masters degree in Paediatric Osteopathy, as well as the advanced pathway of cranial courses with the SCCO. Becky loves the journey of discovery that Osteopathy has taken her on, both in the process of detective work to find the cause of a problem in her patients and on her own learning journey. This has led to an interest in other cultures and Becky actively studies and practices Shamanic work. Becky is also a keen musician, playing alto sax in a concert band and she loves to explore the countryside with her dogs.

Steve Hines

BSc (Hons) Ost. Med

Steve trained in woodwork and cabinet making and taught young people and children with physical and learning needs before deciding on a career in Osteopathy. Steve graduated from the British College of Naturopathy and Osteopathy in 1996, and joined Churchdown Osteopaths in 2005 (?).

  • He has carried on his postgraduate studies having done courses with the SCCO, as well as working at the Osteopathic Centre for Children (OCC) in London. Steve also has a strong interest in other forms of healing and has recently done a course in Bach flower remedies, which he sometimes integrates with his Osteopathy. Outside Osteopathy, Steve has a passion for gardening, pottery and music, and has been known to use his woodworking skills in making and restoring ukuleles and guitars.

Olivia Unwin

MSc Ost

After a demanding career in fashion, witnessing the physical and mental effects of stress, Olivia decided to change her career when a GP friend introduced her to Osteopathy. Olivia then studied at the University College of Osteopathy, graduating in 2013.

  • During her studies she became particularly interested in paediatrics, especially infantile colic and reflux. This lead to Olivia joining Churchdown Osteopaths in 2014, where she has continued to learn through working alongside other Osteopaths as well as doing courses with the SCCO. Since recently having her own daughter (and realising how challenging motherhood is!) she has enjoyed teaming up with local midwives to help reach mums in need of support and advice by organising free talks and online question and answers services. In her spare time Olivia enjoys trail running with her dog, Tarka.

Ros Heath

M.Ost

Ros was a trained Cordon Bleu chef, secretary and horticulturist before retraining to become an Osteopath, graduating from the European school of Osteopathy. Her own experience whilst pregnant and as a mother gave her new insights as to how Osteopathy can help pregnant and post-natal women as well as babies and children.

  • She is currently studying the Biodynamic Osteopathy pathway and is passionate about continuing to develop her osteopathic knowledge and skills.

    Outside of work Ros has three adult children! In the summer her horticultural knowledge and skill is put to good use and she loves nothing better than to have a pair of loppers or a pruning saw in her hand; she also enjoys growing her own soft fruit and vegetables. In the winter she enjoys knitting complicated patterns despite the unpicking that this inevitably entails; she finds this very therapeutic. She also enjoys spending many hours filling her house with the scent of homemade marmalade so that she can supply family and friends with the odd jar or two….

Suzy Croskell

M.Ost, Pgdip WHO, MSCCO

Suzy has always been interested in healthcare. After originally working as a Diagnostic Radiographer, she realised she wanted more of a treatment role and the holistic nature of Osteopathy was a perfect fit

Suzy graduated from the British School of Osteopathy in 2010 and is a passionate Osteopath who loves learning.

  • She has two boys who keep her busy alongside Osteopathy. It has been her journey through pregnancy and childbirth that led her to complete a postgraduate diploma in Women’s health Osteopathy as well as being a Mummy MOT practitioner. She is keen to raise awareness of women’s health issues and to encourage women to make self-care a priority.

    She loves being active and being outside. Her favourite place to be is skiing down a mountain when she gets the chance!

Laura Wheatley

M.Ost DPO

Following a career as a contemporary dancer, Laura decided to pursue her passion for the human body through studying osteopathy. She graduated from the British School of Osteopathy in 2012 and went on to complete two years of paediatric training at the Osteopathic Centre for Children.


  • She has since had three children and happily balances family life with her work - with a special interest in treating babies, children, and women through pregnancy and the postpartum period.

    Laura’s background as a dancer plays an important role in her osteopathic approach - she is a strong believer in the importance of movement and embodiment practices. She also takes a keen interest in the way emotions and the psyche impact health.

Massage Therapist

Massage Therapist

Currently we are still looking for our next massage therapist. We hope to be able to introduce someone in to the practice soon.

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