Croydon Today
A HOLIDAY in Morocco was the inspiration behind a decision by 22-year-old, Raj Chatwal, to break into the world of osteopathy.
He was so impressed how a fellow holidaymaker with an injured shoulder was treated on the spot that he decided that his future career lay in the practice.
Croydon osteopath Raj Chatwal with his first celebrity client, former England and Surrey cricketer Mark Butcher
Mr Chatwal said: “I was always interested in doing something in the medical field but osteopathy caught my attention because unlike something like dentistry you don’t have to have a lot of equipment, you can help people almost anywhere.”
For Mr Chatwal, anywhere initially was home in Manor Way, South Croydon, where he set up his own practice last June after completing four years of training for his master’s degree at the British School of Osteopathy.
But he has decided to branch out and has recently expanded The Raj Osteo Clinic by moving into shopfront premises close to the junction of High Street and Coombe Road, Croydon.
Mr Chatwal, a former Whitgift School pupil, said: “Opening the shop has been a massive step to take but I have received tremendous support from my parents.
“My dad, who is a businessman himself, has been inspirational and has been able to fill in the gaps when things have been difficult.”
While osteopaths remain on the edge of health treatment, Mr Chatwal said the practice was becoming more accepted within mainstream health services.
He said: “We are being more recognised among GPs which is great.”
That recognition has also brought Mr Chatwal what he described as his first celebrity client – former England and Surrey cricketer Mark Butcher – who he has helped deal with a longstanding knee injury problem.
Mr Chatwal said: “Going from being a student straight into my own business has been tough but it had to be done and I am now seeing results.”
