Meet the Team at Vital Family Chiropractic
Christine Bakker, MChiro DC – Director and Chiropractor
Christine was born and raised in The Netherlands, in the small town of Reeuwijk, not far from Gouda.
She was introduced to the power of chiropractic through her father. He developed a severe back problem that started mildly, and he took the usual medical route people tend to take when they are in pain and don’t yet know about chiropractic. After many doctors and multiple drugs, the problem became so severe he was uncomfortable around the clock. He was told he needed surgery – he had developed a disc herniation, which was pressing on a nerve.
When Christine’s mother learned about the plans for surgery, she was determined to help her husband avoid it. She found a local chiropractor, and within a few weeks following treatment, he was feeling much better. Within a few months, he fully recovered and has continued regular checkups to keep his spine and nervous system healthy.
Having seen the devastating impact that problems like this can have, Christine was inspired to embark on her own journey to become a chiropractor.
Read more about Chiropractor Christine »
A Family Chiropractor You Can Trust
Christine completed five years of study at the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic, graduating with a Master of Chiropractic (MChiro) degree in 2008.
Having worked as an associate in various clinics in Suffolk, Norfolk and Kent, she eventually opened her own clinic, Vital Family Chiropractic, located near Orpington and Bromley, in 2017.
From the beginning of her chiropractic journey, Christine gradually discovered how chiropractic is so much more than just helping people combat their symptoms. She loves helping families in every aspect of their journey back to health, and to guide and educate her clients to stay that way. She feels fortunate to have found a profession that she loves and is passionate about.
In Her Spare Time
Outside of work, Christine is a mum to two little ones who keep her on her toes. She loves keeping active where possible, especially outdoors. Surfing and rock climbing are still among her favourite activities, but maybe done a little less frequently now.
Christopher Bishop, MChiro DC – Chiropractor
Christopher’s chiropractic journey began when he was 17 years old. Outside of school, he often worked for his family’s furniture business, where ironically everyone had ‘bad backs’. On top of that, he was active in all kinds of sports, but typically never stretched or cooled down properly, so he soon developed back issues of his own.
Around the same time, he was also deciding on a career path, which he found difficult. He either wanted to be a footballer or had no idea. Meanwhile, Christopher’s father, who had a big hand to play in his chiropractic journey, was seeing a chiropractor for his sciatica.
That chiropractor turned out to be none other than Christine Bakker!
Having experienced the benefits of chiropractic on his own health, symptoms and wellness, his dad soon convinced Christopher to visit Christine.
After every adjustment session, he came home and raved to his parents about how interesting he found chiropractic, and there it was: he found his new career path!
Christopher successfully completed the five-year university study at the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic and joined the VFC team in July 2022. He loves seeing a variety of clients, and he has a particular interest in sports performance and injuries, as well as rehabilitation and nutrition.
Rebekah Tho, MChiro DC – Chiropractor
Dr Bek knew from a young age, helping people thrive in life with their health was the avenue she was to pursue. Chiropractic found her in the final year of her Bachelor of Science degree through her sister who had great results from Chiropractic for hers and her family’s own health.
Dr Bek was born in Malaysia, but grew up in Papua New Guinea. She graduated with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science from the University of Queensland (Australia) and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from New York Chiropractic College (USA). She then returned to Australia and spent 4 years in the beautiful coastal town of Bowen in North Queensland looking after families of all ages. With pursuing more study in the areas of Chiropractic (particularly in paediatric care, pregnancy and women’s health), she decided to move to Brisbane. She thoroughly enjoyed the next 6 years studying and working with people of all ages in a family-based practice. Her journey brought her to the UK where her husband is originally from, and this is now her home! Since moving here in 2020, she has been busy having 2 children of her own whilst also looking after patients in practice.
The principle that underpins her approach with giving her patients the best care possible is by firstly looking at the cause of symptoms that people experience and why they are being expressed. The body has a remarkable ability to heal itself if there is no interference and so looking at overall function is her main approach.
Outside of the practice, Bek loves to spend time with her friends and family. She enjoys playing netball and tennis, watching all sports, being by the beach in the sun, and having good food with great company!
Rebekah has a passion for newborns to the elderly and everyone in between to help in guiding them in their journey from surviving to thriving in all areas of their life, especially with their health. Her passion is to help people get well and then stay well.
Louise – Chiropractic Assistant/Massage Therapist
Louise joined the VFC team in June 2018 and loves her role as Chiropractic Assistant. She is passionate about helping clients achieve optimal health and well-being and is committed to creating a welcoming environment where our clients feel supported and informed through-out their chiropractic journey.
Before joining VFC Louise worked as a massage therapist. Unfortunately, after sustaining an injury, she had to stop. Whilst it was a challenging transition, it led her to discover a new way to continue her journey in healthcare as a chiropractic assistant. Thanks to dedicated chiropractic care and the support of her team, she is thrilled to be able to be back doing what she is passionate about and now offers massage therapy at VFC. Her experience has deepened her empathy and understanding of the healing process, which she is able to bring to every client she works with, as a massage therapist and as a CA.
When she is not at the clinic, Louise likes spending time with family and friends and enjoys staying active through walking and running. Louise also loves attending live music events in her free time.
Karina – Chiropractic Assistant
Karina joined the Vital Family Chiropractic team in 2022 as one of our dedicated chiropractic assistants, bringing extensive experience in customer service and a genuine passion for health and wellness. Her journey with chiropractic care underscores the incredible benefits of regular adjustments.
A firm believer in healthy eating and natural remedies, Karina faced the physical strains of years in retail, which took a toll on her back. Like many, she thought this was something she just had to endure. However, after a particularly painful commute, she consulted a family friend who was a chiropractor and decided to give chiropractic adjustments a try.
The difference was immediate and life-changing, leading her on the road to recovery. Her enthusiasm for chiropractic care grew, and she now thrives in her role as a chiropractic assistant. In addition to her work with clients, Karina enjoys contributing to our social media presence and event planning efforts, bringing a creative touch to our team.
Karina is passionate about fitness and staying active. She’s an avid gym-goer, loves Pilates, and enjoys weightlifting, all of which she finds essential for both physical and mental well-being. She also enjoys going for walks as part of her routine to stay healthy. A true dog lover, Karina’s extended family includes Monty, a cockerpoo who also benefits from regular chiropractic care!
Fiona – Chiropractic Assistant
Fiona joined the VFC team in 2024 and loves her role as a Chiropractic assistant! Fiona started her career working for NatWest Bank and spent 10 years working in various establishments including head office. She gained experience in customer service, sales and management but knew that her passion lied elsewhere so much to everyone’s surprise she left to join the London ambulance service answering 999 calls on a front line ambulance. The ability to help someone in an emergency and treat people with compassion and empathy made the job an excellent career choice for a number of years. When Fiona had her children she decided to look into other roles so that she could juggle the demands of a young family, so she decided to retrain as a Foot Health Professional and also helped out with her husband’s First Aid Training Company imparting her lifesaving knowledge as an Instructor and utilising her office skills!
Now that Fiona’s children are grown up Fiona decided that she wanted to do something different and this led her to look into chiropractic. After years of lifting in the ambulance service the benefits of chiropractic care have kept her pain free and moving! She loves that as a chiropractic assistant she can draw from all of her previous roles and talk all day!
In her spare time Fiona is a member of PWOS Musical Theatre company and is learning the piano. She also helps out at a swim school as a pool assistant, invigilates at a local secondary school and enjoys spending any spare time she has with her family and goofy golden retriever!
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