Grant McKechnie BEd(PE), DipM(RM), AdDip(Myo), GradDipHSc(ExRehab), MAppSci(Research), ProfCert(Pain NeuroSci/Edu)
Ballarat Sports Medicine is very excited to announce that Grant McKechnie is joining the team of practitioners consulting at Novar!
Grant is Ballarat’s (and possibly Australia’s) most experienced clinical exercise physiologist. Over a 24 year career in both public and private settings, he has an enormous depth and breadth of experience in rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, myotherapy and pain management.
Having his expertise on site expands the ability to manage sports and other musculoskeletal injuries from start to finish. From getting the correct diagnosis, through our sports medicine team, surgery if needed, physiotherapy and now another element to the high-end rehabilitation and return to activity, the team can help patients at all steps in the process.
Areas of Interest:
- Persistent pain, pain science and pain education
- Neuroplastic rehabilitation for all neurological conditions
- Musculoskeletal conditions
- Recalcitrant conditions
- Sports science and athletic preparation
Grant began practicing in September 2000, working at The University of Ballarat’s (now Federation University Australia) – UniSports Exercise Rehabilitation Centre. Whilst there he continued to study, gaining his Master of Applied Science as well as various soft tissue qualifications including Myotherapy. Grant was a lecturer in both undergraduate and Master’s programs; with a particular focus on the Masters of Rehabilitation anatomy program.
Since this time, Grant has written and delivered entire courses in Remedial massage and Myotherapy for the University of Ballarat and private colleges in Melbourne. These courses have a particular focus on the care, prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries.
Grant commenced Ballarat Sports & Exercise Rehabilitation Centre 2005, a multi-disciplinary clinic, which included Exercise Physiology and Myotherapy. Grant delivered in-house rehabilitation and professional development education for musculoskeletal, metabolic, neurological and cardiovascular conditions.
Topics included
- Lower back exercise rehabilitation
- Adhesive capsulitis
- Assessment and treatment of the TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disfunction)
- Post-hip arthroscopic surgery rehabilitation
- Neuroplasticity and rehabilitation
Grant has been successfully treating many conditions with a bias toward chronic pain and recalcitrant conditions that haven’t responded to standard methods of treatment. He continues to develop his practice and knowledge, currently pursuing the field of neurology and neuroplastic approaches to rehabilitation.
Grant is active in professional development for Myotherapy Association Australia where he has been the Chair of the project steering committee for the reaccreditation of the Myotherapy training package twice and was on the discussion panel for the direction of myotherapy at the biannual conference. Grant has presented at the Commonwealth International Sports Conference, as well as many various guest lecturer roles, including presenting at the Primary Health Network educating doctors on topics such as sarcopenia and exercise, and the neuroplasticity of pain.
Grant has worked with both professional and semi-professional athletes. This has included development and implementation of
- Strength and conditioning programs
- Athletic preparation
- Full macrocycle plans
- Biomechanical analysis
- Athletic screening
- Injury rehabilitation
The athletes include; Olympic and Commonwealth Games representatives in various sports, Professional Mixed Martial Arts & Brazilian Jujitsu fighters, Motocross, Cyclists, Ultra-distance and Marathon runners, Ironman and Triathlon, Rowing, Tennis, Badminton, Race-walking and AFL football. He has worked as a rehabilitation therapist at the North Ballarat Roosters VFL in 1999 and 2000, and has been a professional injury consultant for the AFL.
In 2017 Grant was awarded the Myotherapy Australia’s Tony Moynihan award regarding excellence in the field of myotherapy. In 2018 he presented at the international Neuro-Impulse Protocol symposium on how exercise can correct neurological dysafferentation.
In 2020 Grant was a recipient of a scholarship from the Pain Revolution, to study Pain Neuroscience and Pain Education at the University of South Australia. Grant has completed this study and is now forming the Pain Revolution’s local pain collective for Ballarat and surrounding districts. The collective is to educate professionals and the community on contemporary pain neuroscience and how to better address the growing issue of persistent pain in the community.
Grant will be consulting at NOVAR, 109 Webster Street Lake Wendouree, from Wednesday to Friday, commencing 12/04/2023, and alternate Saturday mornings from 22/04/2023.
Bookings can be made on-line at
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