Child chiropractor Adelaide
Paediatric chiropractic for children and teens in Adelaide
Mitcham-based, age-appropriate spine, joint and muscle care for children and teens, with gentle options that fit your school, sport and family life
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Call 08 8272 2862
Chiropractic for children and teens in Adelaide
School devices, sports injuries and growth spurts can add up. Dr Richard Mathers is an experienced chiropractor with additional university training in child spine and musculoskeletal care. With 25+ years in practice, he sees posture-related discomfort, headaches and activity-related pains in young people. Your child or teen receives a focused assessment, clearly explained findings and recommendations that fit busy families, with gentle options available by preference.
We see families from across Adelaide; after-school times are available. Our Kingswood clinic in Mitcham has parking at the door, step-free entry and a caring, professional environment.
Children are different to adults
Growing bodies are not just small adults. Bones, joints and connective tissues are still developing, so growth spurts, study loads, and sports can change how things move and feel. In paediatric chiropractic, we look at your child’s typical week—school, devices and sport—and how these interact with the health of their spine and nervous system. We check posture, flexibility, strength, control and comfort across the spine, hips and shoulders, and assess local joint motion and soft tissues with age-appropriate orthopaedic and neurological screens.
Common reasons families book include headaches in children, back and neck pain and sports injuries in children; we can also provide scoliosis screening during growth spurts and set up simple monitoring if needed. The aim is to provide early, practical support: clear explanations, gentle treatment options when preferred, and simple self-care ideas for both home and school. With consent, we can share brief notes with teachers or coaches and set a review point to see what has changed as your child’s spine health progresses. We also help children and teens learn about their own “frame” (spine, hips, shoulders) so they can make better choices and take better care of themselves over time.
Headaches or posture worries after study and sport. Child and teen chiropractic with clear steps you can use at home and school.
Common conditions we support (children and teens)
These are typical concerns we often see in children and teens in our clinic.
- Low back pain
- Headaches & migraines
- Hip & pelvis pain
- Scoliosis (screening and monitoring)
- Neck or jaw pain
- Shoulder problems
- Posture concerns
- Knee and ankle pain
- Osgood-Schlatter disease
- Sever’s disease
- Post-fracture recovery
- Growing pains
- Limping
Spine checks even without pain
Being pain-free isn’t a reliable signal of a healthy frame (spine, hips, shoulders). In growing bodies, confidence, strength and flexibility can decline considerably before persistent pain shows up: after falls or collisions, long study or gaming blocks, or simply genetics. Keeping a professional eye on frame health is like seeing a dentist to monitor your teeth.
Self-care first. Specific exercises, simple habits, and routines are the backbone of good frame care. Without periodic monitoring, it’s hard to know which exercises best fit your child’s body and goals. Sure Start Health helps young people understand their frame so they can take more control in their day-to-day lives. With consent, we can share a summary for school or coaches, so simple habits stick during the week.
What we check in children and teens
- Posture
- Flexibility
- Local joint motion (palpation)
- Tissue tone (palpation)
- Strength testing
- Orthopaedic tests
- Neurological screens
We use these checks to identify patterns that could limit sporting performance or increase injury risk during play and then outline a clear care plan that fits into their home, school and sport routines.
Noticing uneven shoulders or a rib hump? Book a scoliosis check with clear guidance and simple monitoring during growth spurts.
What our children and teens’ chiropractic includes
Assessment and explanation
We love detail. We look at family history, past falls and collisions, car and bike accidents, postural habits, sport loads, device use and, growth stage, then explain what we notice and any connection to your child’s presentation.
- You and your child describe goals and weekly demands
- We check their background, routines, posture, movement, and connective tissue health
- You hear what we found and the first steps we suggest
Hands-on care matched to growth
Techniques are chosen for age, body type and presentation (for example diversified, mobilisation, and drop piece where suitable). If your child prefers very low-force options without audible adjustments, we can accommodate that.
- Tailored treatment with clear explanations
- Choice and questions at any time
- Short visits when needed around school or sport
Assurance and monitoring
Clear explanations are given and goals are set before we start so parents and patients know:
- What will be done and how it works
- How long it may take and how many visits are likely required
- How their childs progress is monitored to ensure that care is helping
Home strategies
There is much that a child can do to promote their spine health at home and or school. We include info like:
- Workstation setup – Chair type, chair height, desk height, keyboard / mouse position, screen height
- Simple ways to sit up straight and stand tall every day
- Warm-up, cool-down and recovery ideas for sport
- Periodic reviews so you know what to keep, add or change
Scoliosis: signs to watch for parents & coaches
We can assess the presence and likely type of scoliosis, outline the progression risk, and set up monitoring during growth spurts if needed. Signs to watch for include one hip or shoulder sitting higher, a prominent shoulder blade, a larger arm-to-waist gap on one side, a rib “hump” on forward bend, and a curve that does not disappear when sitting.
Progression risk is most significant around early puberty, and most cases do not progress to bracing or surgery. If indicated, we will discuss the next steps together.
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What to expect from your child’s consultation
From your first contact, your concerns are heard and prioritised. We listen to your child and to you, then offer a suitable time. Intake forms can be completed online, in advance, from the comfort of your home.
At the visit we take a detailed history, check posture, flexibility and key movements, explain what we notice in simple terms, and match care to age and preference. Questions are welcome at any time. You leave with clear next steps and what to expect. Care plans typically include simple home ideas for things like workstation setup, siting habits, device use and tailored exercises.
Do you want details on first appointments? Please read our short step-by-step guide for new patients.
Why choose Sure Health Chiropractic for children and teens
Experience with growing bodies
Dr Richard has over 25 years of experience and additional university training in neuro-musculoskeletal care for children. He regularly works with spine, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, foot, and jaw concerns in children and teens.
Study and sport-aware plans
We consider timetable demands, device use, and training loads, then keep home care steps short and realistic. With your consent, we can share brief updates with teachers or coaches so that plans align with real weeks.
Gentle options by preference
If you or your child prefers very low-force approaches without audible adjustments, please let us know and we’ll plan suitable methods.
Independent clinic with easy access
Kingswood location in the Mitcham precinct with off-street parking and nearby public transport.
Still unsure if chiropractic is right for you?
Take advantage of our cost-free and obligation-free 15-minute consultation. Meet the Chiropractor, ask questions, share your concerns and get a better idea of what to expect and if chiropractic will likely be suitable for your needs.
Fees and rebates for chiropractic services
Claim Health Insurance on the spot with HICAPS or TYRO where your policy applies. GP Medicare referrals for chiropractic are accepted where eligible, ask us how.
For complete information about fees, rebates and item codes, visit our Fees and Rebates page.
Our chiropractic policies
- Full payment is required at the time of treatment.
- If an appointment must be changed, 24 hours’ notice is appreciated.
- When less than 24 hours’ notice is given with a change or cancellation of appointment, a fee will apply. Read our Cancellation Policy here.
- Appointment reminders will be sent via SMS as a courtesy. They are not a substitute for remembering your scheduled appointments.
- If you have any questions or concerns about any element of your care (financial, clinical, other), please speak candidly to your Chiropractor.
- Please help our office run smoothly by arriving in our reception area a few minutes before each appointment. If you’re running late, please call us so we can advise you on how to proceed.
- Our Privacy Policy.
- Our Child Safe Policy, and related feedback forms.
Frequently asked questions for our chiropractic, speech therapy and remedial massage services
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What problems / conditions do you help with?
See conditions list
How experienced is the Chiropractor with children?
Very. Dr Richard Mathers has been managing joint and muscle problems in children for over 20 years. He frequently cares for spine, hip, ankle, feet and knee problems in children. With two high school aged children of his own that are heavily involved in sport he understands the importance of performance and injury prevention in young bodies.
You can learn more about Dr Mathers here.
Is chiropractic safe for my child?
Chiropractic treatment for children in Australia has an excellent safety record. An independent review on ‘Chiropractic spinal manipulation
of children under 12′ by Safer Care Victoria, was published in 2019. This extensive search identified found no cases of serious harm in Australia.
If I start chiropractic care, will my child need to keep coming?
Any ongoing care will depend on various factors, including your child’s specific condition, their response to treatment, and your specific health goals as a parent.
In some cases, chiropractic care may provide immediate relief or resolve the issue after a few sessions, and no further treatment may be necessary. However, for some conditions, ongoing maintenance visits might be recommended to manage symptoms and prevent recurrence.
What signs can a parent look for in their child?
- Slouched or asymmetrical posture
- Persisting stiffness in neck, back, ankle, hips or shoulders
- A tendency to ‘pop’ or ‘click’ their own joints (neck, hips, ankles)
- Recurring pain or injuries to the same part of the body
What do you actually do when treating children?
We work to identify areas of connective tissue Pain / Sensitivity, Weakness, Guarding and Inactivity, then use a blend of careful hands-on therapy, home exercises and advice to restore Comfort, Strength, Confidence and Activity.
We are experienced with all parts of the human frame including the spine, ribs, ankles, hips, shoulders and the jaw. See conditions list here.
Contact Sure Health Chiropractor
If you’re a parent who’s concerned or has questions about your child’s posture, headaches, movement or sport niggles, we’re here to listen and help.
Contact us today for an initial consultation.