Practitioner
Rory McKay
I am delighted to bring to you Maximise Health LTD. This practice is the culmination of a long journey to run my own centre for healthcare excellence since graduating from the British College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2011 with a Masters degree in Osteopathy.
My years as an associate have seen me work in some of the busiest clinics in the UK and Australia, where through sheer weight of numbers I have been forced to become an expert in my trade. Being busy as a practitioner allows you to hone your hand on skills and clinical reasoning, which are so important in quickly and efficiently understanding your aches and pains, so that we can hastily start providing you with some effective treatment and relief.
A big part of what I enjoy most about being an osteopath is that you get to guide patients along their journey, no matter what stage of life they’re currently experiencing. A few examples of these journeys include taking children through the awkward growing pains of adolescence, watching them blossom into wonderful young beings. Guiding expecting mothers through the trials and tribulations of pregnancy and helping to soothe the after effects of delivery. Finally, it may be looking after a loved one, who’s lived a full life and now wears the aches and pains that come with a life well-lived. All of these examples are why I’m so excited to deliver a family friendly centre that focuses not only on you as the sole contributor to your health, but views family as paramount to your well-being. This ties in beautifully with where I am on my own journey as I’ve moved to Somerset to be closer to my family as we continue to grow our tribe.
Osteopathy
Osteopathy is an effective hands-on therapy that works by treating the body of any misalignments, weaknesses or imbalances in the joints, ligaments and muscles. The priority of the practitioner is to quickly reduce pain at the source by recreating your body’s natural equilibrium. Manual techniques such as massage and joint movements are applied to improve posture, movement, and increase blood flow and aid in lymphatic drainage. This can help to restore the optimal function of your body, allowing it to heal itself naturally.
Osteopathy takes a holistic approach to your body and the cause of your pain. With a thorough examination that focuses not only on your spine, but takes into account all the other areas of the body and how they are interacting with one another, it allows our practitioners to give you a personalised treatment plan that identifies the most suitable course of action. Your plan will consist of a wide-ranging variety of techniques, rehabilitation methods, exercises and ergonomic assessment that should leave you confident that you have the tools to tackle your ailments now and in the future.
Conditions
- Neck pain or low back pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Disc injuries and sciatica
- Arthritis pain
- Sports injuries
- Post-traumatic injuries, such as whiplash
- Shoulder conditions such as rotator cuff syndrome
- Muscle tension and muscle tears.
- Repetitive strain injury
- Postural problems caused by driving, work strain or pregnancy
Dry Needling
Dry needling uses a single-use, sterile, very fine, acupuncture needle which is inserted into the muscle the practitioner believes is directly responsible for your pain. The needle reaches the myofasical trigger point (knot) within the muscle, which stimulates the cell to release B-endorphin which is a neurotransmitter that works to block transmission of pain information to the brain and spinal cord. The needling also stimulates blood supply to the area, getting in good nutrients and moving inflammatory mediator on.
Treatment FAQs
Osteopaths in the UK undertake 4 years of full-time study. This consists of a 3-year Bachelor of Science and 1 years undergraduate master’s degree in Osteopathy.
Osteopaths are required by law to register with the General Osteopthic Council and complete 90 hours of continued professional development over a 3 year period that focuses on a number of themes to improve the patient’s experience.
Prior to arrival you will have been sent a case history form, please include as much detail as you can as this will help our practitioners to determine your diagnosis. Upon arrival at the clinic you will be welcomed and your case history will be reviewed. A physical examination consisting of special and neurological tests will be performed to help confirm a suspected diagnosis. A posturescreen will also be completed. The working diagnosis will then be explained and if treatment is appropriate, the practitioner will begin to try and alleviate your symptoms during the remainder of the session. Further management advice will also be provided, including referral if required.
It is our goal that you leave feeling confident that our practitioners understand your condition and will work alongside you to get you the best possible outcome as quickly as possible.
No two conditions are the same, however common things are common and our practitioners have vast experience in quickly and effectively alleviating guests’ pain. In straight forward musculoskeletal complaints individuals usually only require a few (2-6) treatments, whereas other more chronic complaints and disc bulges may require more. Some guests like to continue with preventative treatment once they’ve regained control of their body and we offer memberships with discounted rates in these cases.
Osteopathy is not usually painful, although it’s not unusual to feel sore or stiff in the first few days after treatment, particularly if you’re having treatment for a painful or inflamed injury.
Your osteopath will explain whether you’re likely to have any reactions. If you feel any pain during or after treatment, tell your osteopath.
You may be given advice on self-help and exercise to aid your recovery and prevent symptoms returning or getting worse.
“Any variation from health has a cause, and the cause has a location. It is the business of the osteopath to locate and remove it, doing away with disease and getting health instead.”
A. T Still (1874) Founder of osteopathy.
