Excellence in REMS Scans since 2018
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 bone health specialist Dr Nick Birch, Pilates expert and Chief Operating Officer of Osteoscan UK Ltd Sarah Pillage, retired nurse and CEO of Hampton Bone Health Ltd Alison Johnson, Dr David Tognarini, Dr Kimberley Zambito and Paul Magee 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 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 Osteoscan UK Ltd, has stepped away from all non-Osteoscan UK Ltd 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, evidenced-based 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 densitometry interpretation training, and a wide scientific foundation in nutrition, exercise, hormones, and associated 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 Hampton Bone Health Ltd, 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 Osteoscan UK Ltd, Hampton Bone Health Ltd 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 advanced training for practitioners, ensuring integrity, professionalism, and confidence in the delivery of emerging technologies such as REMS. With a mission to raise standards and widen access, the Institute serves the UK, Ireland, and international communities.
