Launch of the International Institute for Musculoskeletal Health Education
Northamptonshire, UK – 1 September 2025 –
The International Institute for Musculoskeletal Health Education (IIMHE) has officially launched, with consultant spinal and bone health specialist Nick Birch, Pilates expert and Chief Operating Officer of OsteoscanUK Sarah Pillage and retired nurse and CEO of Cal-C-Health Group Alison Johnson announced as founding members.
The Institute has been established as a professional centre of excellence dedicated to education, training, and research in musculoskeletal health assessment. Its mission is to provide the highest standards of consultant-led training for practitioners, ensuring integrity, reliability, and confidence in the use of emerging technologies such as REMS (Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry).
Nick Birch, founder of OsteoscanUK, has stepped away from all non-OsteoscanUK bone health commitments to focus on the development of the Institute. His goal is to drive forward a recognised and trusted standard of musculoskeletal health assessment, equipping practitioners with the expertise and professionalism required to deliver safe, effective, and evidence-based musculoskeletal assessment.
“The International Institute for Musculoskeletal Health Education represents a major step forward for bone and muscle health,” said Nick Birch. “Our aim is to bring musculoskeletal assessment to the widest possible audience, both in the UK, Ireland and internationally. By providing rigorous, consultant-led training programmes, we will ensure practitioners are fully prepared to deliver assessments that people can trust, with integrity at the core of everything we do.”
The Institute will initially focus on the education and certification of REMS practitioners, offering structured programmes that combine supervised clinical practice, advanced interpretation training, and a broad scientific foundation in nutrition, exercise, hormones, and wider health factors. Beyond this, it aims to expand its research and education remit to encompass a broader range of musculoskeletal assessment technologies, strengthening the evidence base for early diagnosis, prevention, and intervention worldwide.
Alison Johnson, co-founder of the Institute and CEO of Cal-C-Health Group, added: “The launch of the International Institute for Musculoskeletal Health Education is about more than training – it is about raising the standard of musculoskeletal assessment everywhere. By establishing a professional centre of excellence, we are ensuring that people across the UK, Ireland, and beyond have access to accurate, safe, and trusted evaluations of their bone and muscle health.”
The International Institute for Musculoskeletal Health Education will operate in close collaboration with OsteoscanUK, Cal-C-Health Group and other healthcare partners, with the ultimate vision of building an international network of highly trained, certified, and trusted practitioners dedicated to improving musculoskeletal health outcomes.
About the International Institute for Musculoskeletal Health Education
The International Institute for Musculoskeletal Health Education (IIMHE) is a professional centre of excellence dedicated to education, training, and research in musculoskeletal health assessment. Founded in 2025 by Nick Birch, Sarah Pillage and Alison Johnson, the Institute provides consultant-led training for practitioners, ensuring integrity, professionalism, and confidence in the delivery of advanced technologies such as REMS. With a mission to raise standards and widen access, the Institute serves the UK, Ireland, and international communities.
