Sports chiropractic focuses on movement and recovery care for athletes and active people. This guide explains what to expect from care, typical costs, and how to choose a clinic. It also features a selection of Adelaide clinics currently listed on our directory.
Adelaide clinic in Collinswood offering chiropractic care, remedial massage, dry needling, cold laser therapy, and acupuncture. Team includes multiple chiropractors, a physiotherapist, naturopath, massage therapist, and acupuncturist. Services include care for back pain, neck pain, headaches, sports injuries, and pregnancy. Online and after-hours bookings available.
Adelaide-based chiropractic clinic in Campbelltown, SA, addressing neck and back pain. Online booking available via Cliniko booking system.
Chiropractic clinic in Melrose Park offering chiropractic sessions (15/30/45 min), remedial massage (30-90 min), clinical pilates matwork, pregnancy and paediatric chiropractic care. Techniques include Gonstead, Applied Kinesiology, laser therapy, activator, SOT, myofascial cupping, and dry needling. Online booking available.
Multidisciplinary clinic in Unley, Adelaide offering osteopathy, physiotherapy, chiropractic and exercise physiology. Services include dry needling, cupping, craniosacral therapy, women's health physiotherapy and paediatric care, addressing back and neck pain, posture and sports injuries. Online appointment booking available.
Chiropractic clinic in St Agnes, SA offering manual manipulation, activator, drop piece table and SOT techniques, plus remedial massage and physiotherapy. Treats sports injuries, pregnancy/post-natal care and accident rehabilitation. No treatment contracts; contact clinic for bookings.
Chiropractic clinic in Old Reynella, SA, offering evidence-based chiropractic care including spinal and joint assessment, back and neck care, sciatica, headaches, sports injury support, posture, and pregnancy chiropractic. Online booking and phone contact available; new patient forms and fee information provided on website.
Chiropractic clinic offering manual and mechanically-assisted chiropractic (drop-piece tables, Activator), flexion-distraction, Y-strap, myofascial release, functional taping, Graston technique, dry needling, and sports injury management (FRC, FMS, dynamometer testing, EMS). Locations in Bridgewater and Unley, SA; online booking via Cliniko.
Chiropractic and physiotherapy clinic in Felixstow, Adelaide offering neurologically focused care for infants, children, pregnant women, adults, seniors and athletes. Services address headaches, back and neck pain, bulging disc/nerve pain. Uses CLA Insight Scan and offers online booking via Cliniko.
Chiropractors who work with athletes and active people typically focus on the muscles, joints and movement patterns involved in sport and physical activity. Care usually begins with an assessment: the chiropractor asks about your activity levels, training load, past injuries and current concerns, then examines how you move. This may include checking posture, joint range of motion, muscle function and specific movements relevant to your sport.
Based on that assessment, a chiropractor may use a range of techniques. These can include manual adjustment (a controlled movement applied to a joint), joint mobilisation (gentler, repeated movement to encourage range of motion), and soft-tissue work such as massage or trigger-point techniques. Some chiropractors also provide advice on stretching, loading, and exercises you can do between visits. Techniques are described here for general information only — what is appropriate depends on your individual circumstances, which a registered practitioner will discuss with you.
A chiropractor should explain what they are proposing and why, and give you the chance to ask questions before any hands-on care begins.
Your first visit is usually longer than a standard appointment because it includes a full history and physical assessment. Expect to talk through your training routine, any specific movements or activities that concern you, and your general health. The chiropractor may assess your movement, and in some cases discuss referral for imaging if it is clinically warranted.
After the assessment, the chiropractor should outline any proposed plan of care, including what each visit might involve and roughly how many visits they suggest before reviewing progress. You are entitled to a clear explanation, and to decline or seek a second opinion. Be cautious of any clinic that recommends a large, pre-paid block of visits before assessing how you respond to care.
Fees vary between clinics and depend on the length and complexity of the appointment. As a general guide only, an initial consultation in Adelaide often ranges from around $70 to $130, and standard follow-up visits from around $50 to $90. These figures are indicative and change over time — always confirm current fees directly with the clinic before booking.
Many private health funds offer rebates on chiropractic care through extras cover, which can reduce your out-of-pocket cost. The rebate amount depends on your level of cover, so check with your insurer. In some circumstances, if you have a chronic condition, your GP may be able to refer you under a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan through Medicare, which can subsidise a limited number of allied health visits per year. Your GP decides whether you are eligible.
A few practical checks can help you find a clinic that suits you:
Chiropractic care is not appropriate for every situation. See a GP first if you have any red-flag symptoms, including:
These can point to conditions that need medical assessment. If you experience severe or sudden symptoms, seek medical care promptly. When in doubt, a conversation with your GP is a sensible starting point, and your GP can advise whether chiropractic care is a reasonable option for you.
This guide is general information only and is not a substitute for personalised advice from a registered health practitioner.
Or read the full sports chiropractic guide, or browse all Adelaide clinics.
No, you can usually book a chiropractor directly without a referral. However, if you have a chronic condition, your GP may refer you under a Medicare Chronic Disease Management plan, which can subsidise a limited number of visits. Your GP decides whether you are eligible.
As a general guide only, initial consultations often range from around $70 to $130 and standard visits from around $50 to $90. Fees vary between clinics and change over time, so confirm current pricing directly. Private health extras cover may reduce your out-of-pocket cost depending on your policy.
All practising chiropractors in Australia must be registered with AHPRA. You can verify any practitioner's registration for free on the public register at ahpra.gov.au. This is a quick and important check before booking.
The first visit usually includes a detailed history about your activity and health, and a physical assessment of your movement and joint function. The chiropractor should then explain any proposed care, the likely number of visits, and the costs, and answer your questions.
See a GP first if you have red-flag symptoms such as numbness, weakness, fever with pain, unexplained weight loss, or loss of bladder or bowel control. These need medical assessment. Your GP can also advise whether chiropractic care is suitable for your situation.