Dr John Tanner has worked in sports and musculoskeletal medicine for over 25 years in the UK and abroad. He became interested in musculoskeletal disorders as soon as he realized that nearly a quarter of the patients had problems that he was not well trained to manage. Taking courses by Dr James Cyriax and osteopathic training he began to realize the potential of manipulative therapy. He also took the courses by the then British Association of Sports Medicine (now Sports and Exercise Medicine) as a keen sportsman and advocate of activity and fitness for health.

After building up a successful sports injury and osteopathic clinic in Milton Keynes he left for Bermuda for a few years where he ran a very busy sports and musculoskeletal practice.

On return to the UK he took over from the retiring medical osteopath Dr Alan Stoddard in Chichester and began working in the NHS in Odstock Rehabilitation Hospital, Salisbury, in Rheumatology and Pain Management. Over a 10year period he acquired a wealth of experience in both interventional and psychological methods of pain management.

He has organized symposia for the Canadian based Physical Medicine Research Foundation and has chaired the education committees for the Federation International Medicine Manuelle and for the British Institute for Musculoskeletal Medicine.

Over the last 5 years he has been working with the BUPA Wellness team of sports physicians in London and running the course for GPs and Specialist Registrars in musculoskeletal medicine. He also instructs on European courses on spinal injection techniques (ISIS) and examines for the Diploma of Musculoskeletal Medicine and MSc in sports and exercise medicine at QMC London.

John Tanner has written two books on back pain and has cooperated on a manual for musculoskeletal management. He has recently been awarded fellowship of the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Medicine both in England and in Ireland.