Make an appointment
Sports Chiropractors
on the Sunshine Coast
That strain, sprain or ache that flares up during a run, match or workout isn't something you should push through. Whether you've been told you have tennis elbow or you're still not sure what's causing your running injury, knee pain or shoulder pain, our experienced chiropractors can help.
What is a sports chiropractor?
A sports chiropractor has advanced, specialised training in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment or athletic and musculoskeletal injuries. An assessment usually includes a physical examination and, sometimes, scans or other imaging to find the cause of the problem. Your sport and activity can also provide useful clues, whether you run, play racquet sports, lift weights or play team sports.
Sports chiropractic can help people at any activity level, from weekend warriors and recreational runners to gym-goers. At our Sunshine Coast clinics, we often see patients who've put up with sore joints and muscles for months before seeking help.
Most sports injuries develop when the demands of an activity, such as running or racquet sports, are greater than the body's ability to recover. This can strain the joints, muscles and soft tissue. Every athlete's age, physical condition and sport are different, so treatment needs to be tailored. Many injuries develop slowly through repeated strain or muscle imbalance, without one clear cause.
Chiropractic care and dry needling can support recovery from sports-related pain.
Hands-on care for sports injuries
Your sport, training and the way you move can all affect your body. Our chiropractors use this information to create a treatment plan that eases pain, helps you move more easily and optimises your performance.
Your care may include:
- Chiropractic adjustments to improve spinal and joint movement and reduce strain from training and competition.
- Tailored exercises to build strength and flexibility and improve your posture, movement and performance.
- Dry needling and soft tissue therapy to treat tight, sensitive areas in the muscles and help ease pain and stiffness.
- Care tailored to you based on your age, physical condition, sporting goals and the demands of your sport.
- Hands-on care for common problem areas including the back, shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees and hips, especially for strains, sprains, neck pain and running injuries.
- Non-invasive care without surgery for issues such as tennis elbow, to ease pain and support rehabilitation.
Your path to sports injury relief
Assessment
We start by talking about your sport, training and when the pain or reduced movement began. We also ask which movements make it worse. Your chiropractor will examine you and may arrange scans or other imaging if needed to find the cause of the problem.
Treatment
Your care plan is based on your age, health and what your sport asks of your body. Care is non-invasive and may include joint manipulation, exercises and dry needling. These may ease pain, build strength and flexibility, and improve your range of motion. We update your plan as you improve.
Ongoing support
Sports injuries can come back without the right follow-up, especially if your training or technique hasn't changed. We check your progress, update your plan and focus on injury prevention to lower your risk of setbacks. This can help you return to training and competition with confidence.
Why choose our team?
We are a multidisciplinary team of experienced chiropractors, with both female and male doctors available.
We love what we do and care deeply about our patients' wellbeing and happiness, some of which have been coming to us for decades.
We have two clinics, located in the heart of Alexandra Headland and Coolum Beach, open Monday to Saturday.
We are Bupa and Medibank preferred providers. We also accept Eftpos, Medicare, DVA and EPC.
Your questions, answered
Sports and exercise chiropractic is a recognised area of chiropractic care. It focuses on helping active people and athletes prevent injuries, move well and perform at their best. Sports chiropractors meet the same registration requirements as all chiropractors, with extra training in this area.
Yes. Your chiropractor will assess you based on your age, health and the demands of your activity. Weekend warriors and recreational runners receive a plan built around their own needs, with the same care given to elite athletes.
Neck and back pain are common reasons to see a chiropractor. Chiropractic care may also help with pain in the pelvis, shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees and hips, as well as muscle injuries from sport. It is often most helpful for movement-related problems such as strains, sprains and running injuries.
Chiropractic care is often best for movement-related problems such as strains and sprains. If you need imaging or an assessment for surgery, we'll help guide you to the right care.
A recent review of 580 athletes across 13 sports found that dry needling can help reduce pain and muscle stiffness. It was more helpful for pain than for improving athletic performance. (Source: PubMed Central)
Yes, dry needling is usually safe when carried out by a trained practitioner. Dr Lillie Lines is a fully qualified myotherapist with many years of dry needling training.
This depends on your assessment. Your chiropractor will consider your age, health and the demands of your sport before making a plan. The number of sessions varies from person to person.
Chiropractic treatment is usually covered under extras cover. What you receive depends on your policy, so check your Private Health Information Statement for your yearly limit and rebate. Medicare may contribute when you've got a GP referral for a chronic condition, but it doesn't cover acute sports injuries.
Don't let a niggle side-line your season
Book your sports chiropractic session today and get back to full training.