Staff Profiles

James Dodd BSc (Hons) Ost
Practice Principal

Born 1967, James graduated in 1999 from the London School of Osteopathy where he completed a Batchelor of Science honours degree in Osteopathy. James´ osteopathic training involved a five-year course, integrating an extensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, orthopaedics, neurology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, pharmacology and clinical methods such as x-ray analysis.

He is also trained in Western (Medical) Acupuncture and can combine this with osteopathic treatment to further the benefit.

James is fascinated by the body’s potential for healing and specializes in the treatment of acute injuries and some chronic pain syndromes. He also has a special interest in sports specific injuries and has treated at all levels including the elite with some Olympic athletes seeing him at the clinic. Many injuries are exacerbated by the office environment but can be overcome or improved by a combination of osteopathic treatment, preventative exercise and ergonomic and postural advice. James welcomes referrals from doctors and other practitioners wanting either a second opinion or a different approach when progress is proving difficult.

Until recently, James taught one day a week at one of the leading London universities, he lectures about ‘Back Care’ in workshops and at schools and gyms and often has other practitioners and trainees in to observe. James is keen to keep abreast with current development in the world of healthcare and this is reflected in his practice. James’ ethos in life is ‘Look after your body and it will look after you!’

He lives near the clinic with his wife and two daughters Isabelle and Jessica.

Member of the British Osteopathic Association
Member of the General Osteopathic Council
Member of British Medical Acupuncture Society

Enda Butler

Enda Butler was born in Ireland in 1973, and speaks English and Spanish. He graduated from the British School of Osteopathy (BSO) and was awarded the school’s Gold Medal.

Enda has explored many different fields of healthcare. In 1998, he qualified as a masseur in Dublin, Ireland. In 2000, he went to live in Barcelona where he completed a further diploma in advanced massage technique, and also studied Reiki achieving the Master of Reiki qualification in 2002. While there, he worked, among other things, doing massage and offering Reiki treatments and teaching,

Enda moved from Barcelona to London to enter the four-year full-time degree course at the BSO. He thoroughly enjoyed his time there, he was his year’s student representative for four years and in his final year became the president of Manus Sinistra, a BSO society that organises visiting guest lecturers on all kinds of relevant topics.

Enda has returned to the School as a lecturer teaching Pathophysiology on the degree course, and the Musculoskeletal system on the BSO’s access course for adults returning to higher education. He also assists in the practical Visceral Osteopathy classes.

While having trained in a very structural, biomechanics-oriented college, Enda also enjoys the more intuitive side of Osteopathy. “ The human body is amazing. Give it just a little help in the right direction and it will usually find a way to get better.”

Enda’s other interests are:
Martial arts (has studied Wado Ryu, Tae Kwon Do, Ju Jitsu, Jeet Kune Do, Freestyle);
Singing (Has completed the Estill Voicecraft levels 1 and 2);
Good food and going to the cinema.

Jo Blades

Jo Blades qualified at The British School of Osteopathy in London. She combines osteopathy with medical acupuncture as well as prescriptive exercise in a patient individualized treatment specific to the patients needs; whether you need to resolve pain, maximize function such as improving a sporting technique or rehabilitate after surgery or sports injury.

Jo studied Applied Functional Science in Michigan at post graduate level with some of USA’s top physiotherapists and has had experience in London in pre- and post- operative rehabilitation of spinal, hips and knee problems. As well as hands-on treatment she uses exercise prescription to strengthen weak muscles and improve core stability as appropriate.
Before becoming an osteopath Jo studied a degree in Medical Science and similarly, she particularly enjoys the diagnostic side of osteopathy. Osteopathy is holistic so “finding the cause” is the key to an effective treatment approach, which should then encourage the body’s own optimal, natural healing.

Jo considers that education is also important, “I like to ensure that you understand what’s wrong, and what you can do to prevent further problems and stay pain free!”
Qualifications BSc Hons (Medical Science), BOst, FOAFS
Member of the General Osteopathic Council
Member of the British Osteopathic Association

Andrea Rippe B. Ost, MSc. Paed Ost

Andrea Rippe graduated from the British School of Osteopathy (2004) for five years worked in a highly-regarded osteopathic clinic in Nottingham, where she gained extensive experience treating babies, children, and teenagers as well as adults of all ages and sizes.

She completed a Masters degree in Paediatric Osteopathy in 2007 at the Osteopathic Centre for Children, and has been working as a clinic tutor at the British School of Osteopathy in the Children’s Clinic and a clinic for the Over 65s for the past two years.

When she works, Andrea always takes into account wide-ranging stresses that may have stacked up to cause symptoms, as well as compensatory behaviours, movements or patterns in her patients’ lives, allowing her to give patients insight into their symptoms as well as relief from them. She is confident in the treatment of sports injuries--some of her patients have competed at national level--as well as orthopaedic complaints from plantar fasciitis to headaches. She has had much success and experience treating expectant mums and their babies for a wide range of symptoms. She regularly collaborates with GPs, midwives and health visitors to provide the best possible care for her patients.

Her in-depth approach helps her create a bespoke treatment and management plan designed to allow her patient to feel in control of their bodies and able to fulfil their potential.

Hugo (William) Isaac

Hugo graduated in 2007 after completing a five year Bachelor of Science honours degree from the London School of Osteopathy which incorporates the extensive study of: anatomy, physiology, pathology, orthopaedics, neurology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, pharmacology and clinical methods such as x-ray analysis. This is the second degree Hugo has obtained, the first being a Bachelor of Science honours degree in geology from the University of Bristol in 1996.

After qualifying as an osteopath he went on to qualify as a British Medical Acupuncturist. The combination of osteopathy and acupuncture has been found to be very effective in the treatment of numerous musculo-skeletal complaints, in particular: muscular pain syndromes and osteoarthritis of the knee.

Hugo’s experience spans from treating a variety of patients from elite athletes, recreational sportsmen, pre and post pregnant women and their children and ergonomic related office injuries. He finds treating athletes particularly gratifying because of his love for sport in which he has represented his school and university at Squash, Tennis and skeleton bobsleigh.

Here at Back to Back we have the luxury of time to not only diagnose and plan a treatment programme, which may involve a variety of specialist therapists, but also to explain exactly how the injury occurred, how to prevent a recurrence, and how to come out of the episode a wiser, fitter, stronger person.

Annie Fonfe
Practice Manager

Annie joined the practice in 2002. Annie has a background in teaching and sales. As Practice Manager it is her responsibility to ensure the smooth daily running of the rooms, from making appointments for patients and practitioners, to providing a warm welcome when patients arrive. Naturally it is particularly important that new patients are made to feel comfortable and reassured in what can be a nervous 'first time' situation and her customer care training comes in particularly useful here. She provides a sympathetic and informed approach to patient's ailments and also understands the importance of operating a priority appointment system for patients whose condition is critical.

Another of Annie’s tasks to is ensure that the practitioners meet on a regular basis to ensure that they work as a team and are able to provide patients with the best possible care.

Annie is also now training to be an osteopath after doing an intensive Anatomy and Physiology course.

Should you like to know anything more about Back to Back, from what to expect from your treatment to fees, please contact Annie on 020 8605 2323.

Chrissie Gould
Reception

Joined the practice in 2002 after spending many years working as a PA in the city. With this she brings strength and organization and looks after all those important ‘behind the scenes’ things.