Baby chiropractor Adelaide
Infant chiropractic with gentle treatment
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Call 08 8272 2862
Chiropractor for babies in Adelaide
Sure Start Health is a caring paediatric chiropractic clinic providing modern spine and nervous system care for your baby. Dr Richard Mathers, with over 25 years of full-time practice and additional university training in paediatric care, provides gentle techniques, understands infant development, and knows when referral to another health professional is best. Many Adelaide parents value his approach, which includes clear explanations, simple recommendations tailored to your family, gentle in-clinic treatment, and practical home guidance on baby positioning, handling, feeding, sleep and tummy time.
Choosing the right Chiropractor for your baby matters. Dr Richard has focused on infant and child care since 2005. If you have questions before you book, send a short note. We are here to help.
How we help babies in our chiropractic practice
We begin with a thorough discussion of your baby’s history and development, followed by a gentle, hands-on assessment. If care is appropriate – and you feel comfortable proceeding – we use light, safety focused techniques tailored to your baby’s age. Parents remain present during every part of care and are always welcome to ask questions.
Our treatment methods may include fingertip pressure, soft-tissue work, gentle mobilisation, and stretching – all delivered with plenty of time for parents to pause or check in. Alongside care in the clinic, you’ll also receive practical guidance on ways to support your baby’s progress at home, such as handling and carrying strategies, simple exercises, and gentle massage.
If our assessment suggests that input from another healthcare provider would be helpful, we’ll explain why and guide you on how to arrange it.
Most care plans include periodic reviews, so we can keep track of your child’s progress for your peace of mind.
What improvements with chiropractic can I realistically expect for my baby?
We will only recommend starting care if we believe chiropractic can genuinely support your baby’s needs and your goals as a parent. With extensive experience in assessing and caring for young spines, our chiropractor can provide guidance on what outcomes may be expected and the likely timeframes. We take the time to discuss realistic expectations with you, so you feel informed and supported every step of the way.
Struggling with your baby’s sleep? Gentle, age-appropriate chiropractic care for infants, along with simple, practical home care guidance.
Common conditions we support for babies
A quick view of common reasons families visit Sure Start Health.
- Excessive crying or unsettled periods
- Neck stiffness and torticollis
- Flat head (plagiocephaly or brachycephaly)
- Feeding comfort
- Sleeping comfort
- Tummy time difficulties
- Car-seat discomfort
- Early crawling or walking concerns
- Head-tilt or head-turn preference to one side
What our baby chiropractic includes
Assessment and explanation
We listen to your concerns, carefully check comfort and movement, and explain what we notice in clear terms.
- You share with us what you hope to achieve and any concerns you may have
- We perform a gentle but thorough assessment for your baby
- You hear what we find and the steps we suggest
Gentle hands-on options for infants
Techniques are very light and age-appropriate, with pauses for parents to ask questions.
- Gentle fingertip pressure, expertly applied, is typical; similar to the pressure tolerated on a closed eyelid
- Aim: restore comfort and “confidence” in local connective tissues, joint motion and the nervous system
- May also include soft-tissue massage, gentle mobilisation and stretching where suitable
- Parents are present throughout, and we proceed only with their consent.
Positioning and home strategies
Simple ideas help boost progress between visits and fit into daily routines
- Baby handling and positioning tips
- Pram, car seat and cot comfort suggestions
- Massage and simple exercises
- A short checklist so you know what to do
Safety and consent (infants)
Chiropractic care for babies in Australia has an excellent safety record. An independent review on spinal manipulation of children under 12, by Safer Care Victoria in 2019, found no cases of serious harm in Australia.
In our infant chiropractic approach, care focuses on restoring local joint motion “confidence” and comfort where it has been lost. We explain each step before we begin, parents are present throughout, and we proceed only with their consent. Parents can pause at any time, and we explain each step before proceeding.
What we screen before starting
Before commencing any treatment, we consider the health of the following body tissues:
- Connective tissues (muscles, ligaments and discs)
- Bone and cartilage
- Arteries and veins
- Brain, nerves and spinal cord
When we refer
If red flags are suspected, we pause and discuss next steps. Contraindications include possible spinal cord anomaly or compression, fracture, tumour, bone infection, vertebral artery abnormality, significant instability, or recent surgery.
Car seat or pram time unsettled? Gentle infant chiropractic with light treatment options and practical strategies that parents can use at home
What to expect from your baby’s consultation
From your first contact, we listen carefully to your concerns. We ask important questions about your child’s current presentation, pregnancy and delivery, illnesses, trauma, medication and more. During the visit, we assess posture, flexibility, tissue tone, and comfort, mostly on your lap, then explain our findings in simple terms. Care is tailored to your child’s age, using gentle, light-pressure techniques. You can pause, ask questions, or comfort your baby at any time.
You leave with a clear understanding of the findings, expected outcomes, number of visits, and likely timeframe. Home steps, positioning tips, and review times are included in the care plan so we can monitor progress together. For details on first appointments, please see our short step-by-step guide for new patients.
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.
Why choose Sure Start Health for baby chiropractic
Experienced paediatric focus
Dr Richard has over 25 years of experience and additional university training, with a fastidious age-appropriate approach for infants. Parents appreciate his clear explanations with agreed-upon visit schedules.
Gentle fingertip options
Light fingertip methods, including Neuro Impulse Protocol, are available when suitable. We explain each step, and you can pause at any time.
Simple strategies for home
You’ll receive advice on baby handling and positioning ideas you can use between visits, plus a review point so you know what to keep, add or change.
Independent clinic with easy access
Our Kingswood clinic is in Mitcham with parking near the door, including a wheelchair accessible parking bay, step-free entry and nearby public transport.
Fees and rebates for chiropractic services
Claim on the spot with HICAPS where your policy applies.
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 baby chiropractor Adelaide
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Will chiropractic help my baby?
Your chiropractor will provide an honest impression of whether chiropractic care is likely to help after the initial assessment. Every case is unique, and if your chiropractor is unsure or feels chiropractic care isn’t appropriate, they won’t hesitate to recommend further investigations or refer you to another healthcare professional.
What conditions can chiropractic help with?
Chiropractic treatment for babies 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 found no cases of serious harm in Australia.
Will the chiropractor ‘crack’ or ‘pop’ my baby’s neck?
No. Gentle fingertip pressure is typically all that is required. The kind of pressure that could be tolerated over a closed eyelid. Soft tissue massage, mobilisation and gentle stretching may also be utilised.
Your Chiropractor will explain everything as he goes and only proceed once you are completely comfortable.
How experienced is the Chiropractor with Babies?
Very. Infant patients have made up a substantial portion of Richard’s caseload since gaining additional University qualifications in 2008 (Master of Science, Chiropractic Paediatrics). You can learn more about Dr Mathers here.
How can a baby even have a spine problem?
See blog post here – ‘How can a baby have a spine problem?’
What signs can a parent look for in their baby?
See blog post here – ‘Are joint problems in babies always obvious?’
If I start chiropractic care, will I 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.
Contact Sure Start Health
If you’re a parent with questions about your baby’s comfort, feeding, sleep, head shape, tummy time, pram or car seat, tell us what you’re seeing. Contact us today for an initial consultation.