Maidstone Innovation Centre (MIC) has welcomed osteopathy practitioners Active Care to its growing roster of innovative businesses.

The clinic’s arrival represents an exciting expansion of medical services available to the local community since the MIC announced earlier this year it was opening its doors to this sector.

Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP), the MIC forms part of the North Kent Enterprise Zone.

Headed up by founder Dan Fernandes, Active Care also has a clinic in Maidstone Town Centre and currently serves around 2,000 patients ranging from just five days to 92 years old. Dan originally worked in IT in his home country of Portugal. After receiving exceptional treatment for a shoulder injury from a Portuguese osteopath who trained at the European School of Osteopathy in Maidstone, he was inspired to not only move careers, but also country to attend the same school, where he qualified in 2016.

He and his team offer classical and cranial osteopathy, specialising in women’s health, plantar fasciitis, and running gait analysis, as well as treating a range of other conditions including constipation, diarrhoea, reflux and abdominal pain. Dan also teaches and trains osteopaths internationally.

Cllr Stephen Thompson, MBC Cabinet Member for Healthier Stronger Communities in Maidstone said:

“Since expanding our tenancy criteria to include medical services businesses, we’ve had interest from many prestigious businesses.

“It’s fantastic that firms with the level of expertise and international connections that Active Care have are choosing the MIC as their base. They are a very welcome addition to the MIC, providing excellent healthcare support to the local community, and their presence here aligns perfectly with our goal to support and develop first class businesses in the Med-Tech, Life Science and Healthcare sectors.”

Active Care founder Dan Fernandes comments:

“I discovered the MIC after attending a business growth workshop here in the summer. As soon as I walked through the door, I was struck by the beauty and simplicity of the building and knew I wanted to have a base and grow my business here.

“Since moving in, I feel very welcomed. The MIC has a collaborative atmosphere – the tenants I’ve met so far have helped spread the word about my business which has already resulted in some new clients. It’s good to be surrounded by people on the same journey as you.

“We offer a different approach at Active Care. My aim for patients is always to help them as quickly as possible. I don’t believe in seeing people every week on an ongoing basis; if that’s the case, I’m not the right practitioner for them. I focus on helping them listen to their bodies and teaching them how to help and heal themselves. It’s important they feel comfortable, so the calm and pure surroundings here are ideal.

“On a practical level, the accessible location for clients makes this a great base. And I love that I can look out the window and see trees; it makes me happy to be tuned into nature in my workplace.”

To find out more about Active Care and their services visit www.activecare.life