A NEWLY qualified Kidderminster osteopath has returned to his home town to start a business - at the age of 21.

Bobby Qureshi, who has recently graduated from the London-based British School of Osteopathy with a masters degree, has been putting the finishing touches to his Kidderminster Osteopathic Clinic, which has just opened.

The office is based in Sempre Hair and Beauty, in Vicar Street.

Osteopathy is a way of detecting, treating and preventing health problems by moving, stretching and massaging a person’s muscles and joints, allowing the body to heal itself.

Mr Qureshi said: “I always wanted to come back to Kidderminster and practise. When I went into the third year of my [four-year] degree I felt more confident about myself and started thinking it would be a good idea.

”The opportunity came up when Sempre wanted to rent out one of the rooms for a medical practice.

The former Wolverley Secondary School pupil, who has also volunteered in hospitals in Kenya and India, said osteopathy was becoming more popular and was looking forward to the challenge of opening a business in Kidderminster.

“Osteopathy is growing at the moment,” he said. “It is starting to be integrated into the NHS and doctors are now starting to refer more and more people.”

Mr Qureshi said he had also received extra training to work with people with breathing issues, stomach problems and pregnant women.

“I am really excited by the challenge,” he added. “People are saying they are looking forward to me starting work. I am 21 and running a business at the moment is very difficult.

“I think, however, it is an exciting time for being so young and with the skills I have got I am looking forward to applying them.”