Chiropractor Mitcham, Adelaide
Chiropractic care for adults, children and babies in Adelaide
Independent family practice in Mitcham, providing chiropractic care across Adelaide metro with clear explanations, honest recommendations and practical next steps.
Serving Kingswood, Torrens Park, Unley, Malvern and surrounding Adelaide suburbs.
Book now (chiro/massage)
Call 08 8272 2862
Chiropractic clinic in Mitcham, Adelaide that fits family life
Do you have lower back or neck pain, desk-related tightness, or questions about your baby’s health or comfort? Sure Start Health sees adults, children and babies, and you’ll meet Dr Richard Mathers, chiropractor in full-time practice for over 25 years. You’ll receive a thorough assessment, honest recommendations and tools to succeed, no pressure, no guilt, just support. Hands-on treatment and care are matched to age and presentation, and we explain each step in clear terms.
For infants, very light fingertip treatment options are available. Parents are present throughout, and we proceed only with consent at each step. When it helps adults and children, self-care and in-house remedial massage can complement chiropractic care between visits.
Common reasons people see our chiropractor
Chronic back pain
We check discs, ligaments, muscles, nerves and bones, then outline a plan that fits with your week. Manual treatment techniques and simple exercise and posture advice ideas aim to make work and home life feel more manageable.
Headaches & migraines
Neck mobility and posture habits are assessed. Gentle hands-on work, and desk and car position tweaks are provided where applicable. Reviews to help you see what’s helping and what to change.
Sciatica & nerve-related leg pain
We’ll assess what makes your symptoms better or worse and plan care using education, activity changes, gentle hands-on options and exercises.
Joint pain (hip, knee, ankle, jaw)
Care focuses on joint motion, soft-tissue comfort and how you move through the day. You leave knowing the following steps and when we’ll review your progress together.
Neck & shoulder pain
We look at work/study loads, as well as sleeping positions, and then use appropriate hands-on methods, along with simple home ideas, to support continued improvement between visits.
Posture and growth-related pains (children and teens)
Posture concerns, headaches and activity-related pains. Age-appropriate sessions with simple ideas for home and school.
Infant comfort concerns (neck stiffness and flat head)
For babies with neck stiffness or flat head (plagiocephaly/brachycephaly), we use light fingertip approaches, with guidance on positioning, baby handling and tummy time and simple exercises between visits.
Looking to solve a spine related problem? Are you in pain and need relief today, or planning regular care to keep your muscles and joints comfortable? Book a chiropractic appointment at our Kingswood clinic now.
What our chiropractic includes
Assessment and explanation
A short conversation helps us understand your goal and priorities for the task ahead. We carefully assess posture, movement and tissue comfort, in conjunction with orthopaedic and neurological testing, then outline what we’ve noticed and why the plan is suitable. You receive honest recommendations and simple tools you can use between visits.
- You describe your goals, priorities, concerns and expectations
- We check for areas that are causing or contributing to your problems
- You hear what we found, whether we can help, and the first steps we suggest
Hands-on care matched to age and presentation
Techniques are selected for the person, body type and situation. Options include diversified, drop piece, mobilisation and small-amplitude fingertip impulses. For infants, we use light fingertip pressure, incorporating time for explanations and consent. Parents can ask questions at any time.
- Gentle, age-appropriate approaches for babies and children
- Simple, clearly explained steps for teens and adults
- You can pause or change approach at any time
Movement guidance and home strategies
We keep it realistic. Simple home exercises, small changes to daily routine, workstation tweaks or parent-led ideas for children, plus progress reviews so you know what to keep, add or change. Massage can be timed between visits when helpful.
- Short home steps to support comfort and function
- Practical workstation and daily-routine tweaks
- Reviews so you know what to keep, add or change
Coordinating with families, schools and GPs
With consent, we can share concise notes when required, so everyone understands the plan and timing.
- Parent updates for school or sport, where appropriate
- Brief GP summaries on request
- One point of contact for questions
The chiropractic techniques we use
We explain each step before any hands-on care. You can ask questions or pause at any time.
Manual techniques and mobilisation
Depending on your presentation, methods may include diversified adjustments, joint mobilisation and small-amplitude fingertip impulses. Some methods can create an audible pop (gas release in the joint); if you prefer to avoid that, we will plan shallow or lower-force alternatives.
Table-assisted methods (drop piece)
A drop-piece table allows controlled, low-force changes at specific joints. We explain what you might feel, so there are no surprises.
Gentle options for babies and children
Infant sessions employ very light fingertip pressure, incorporating soft-tissue work, mobilisation, or gentle stretching where suitable. Parents are present, can pause at any time, and we proceed only when you are comfortable.
Chiropractic for different needs and conditions
A quick view of common reasons people visit, with age-appropriate approaches.
Babies (common presentations)
- Persisting discomfort or excessive crying
- Neck stiffness
- Flat head (plagiocephaly or brachycephaly)
- Sleeping or feeding discomfort
- Tummy time difficulties
- Car seat discomfort
- Early crawling or walking concerns
Children and teens (common presentations)
- Back or neck pain
- Headaches or migraines
- Posture concerns
- Shoulder problems
- Hip or pelvis pain; limping
- Scoliosis
- Knee or ankle pain
- Growth-related issues (Osgood-Schlatter, Sever’s)
- Jaw clicking or locking
Chiropractic for adults, children and babies with gentle options and clear explanations at every step.
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.
About Dr Richard Mathers, Owner of Sure Start Health, and Director of Sure Start Chiropractic
Dr Richard Mathers is a chiropractor and Director of Sure Start Chiropractic with over 25 years in full time practice. He holds a BSc in Anatomy and Physiology from the University of Adelaide, a Master of Chiropractic from Macquarie University, and an MSc in Chiropractic Paediatrics from the University of Wales (2008). Richard supports adults, children and babies, with a special interest on infant and child spine care. Parents value his gentle approach, clear explanations and carefully monitored care plans.
What to expect from your chiropractor consultation
From your very first contact, we take the time to truly listen to your concerns. We ask the right questions, perform thorough checks, and work to understand your situation. Your care is tailored to your needs and goals, explained clearly, and delivered at a pace that feels right for you
Our clinic is warm and welcoming, equipped with modern facilities and gentle treatment options when needed. During your visits, your practitioner is fully present and attentive, taking the time to provide care properly and treating you with the same respect and consideration he would give his own family.
Do you want details on first appointments? Please read our short step-by-step guide for new patients.
Why choose Sure Start Health for chiropractic treatments
Personalised treatment with up-to-date methods
Thorough assessment, evidence-informed hands-on care and movement advice matched to age and presentation, with clear reasons behind each step.
Experience across all ages
Dr Richard has over 25 years of full-time practice experience, supplemented by additional university training, and works with adults, children, and babies.
Gentle options for infants
Gentle infant methods, including Neuro Impulse Protocol (NIP) and very light fingertip pressure for babies; parents are present throughout and we proceed with consent at each step.
Honest recommendations and tools to succeed
You receive clear explanations, simple aftercare you can use at home, and support with no pressure and no guilt.
Professional facilities and environment
Modern treatment rooms in Kingswood with free parking at the door, including an accessible parking bay step-free entry and a wheelchair accessible restroom.
Care that connects when needed
Remedial massage is available in-house, and with your consent, we can share brief updates with your GP, school, or coach to help keep your care aligned and well-supported.
Fees and rebates chiropractic services
Claim on the spot with HICAPS where your policy applies. Medicare and DVA referrals for chiropractic are accepted where eligible.
For full 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 Sure Start Health Mitcham Chiropractor
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Is chiropractic safe for babies and children?
Infant and child sessions use gentle, age-appropriate techniques with light fingertip pressure and frequent pauses for parental consent. We screen for vulnerabilities and refer or adjust the plan if needed; Australian chiropractic has a strong safety record for children (see the 2019 review noted above).
What techniques might be used?
Depending on your presentation, options can include diversified, manual, drop piece, mobilisation and small-amplitude fingertip impulse for infants. We explain before we begin, and you can ask to pause or change an approach at any time.
How many visits will I need?
We discuss visit schedules and expected outcomes once we know your goals and have assessed your spine. Some find a short series helpful; others prefer periodic check-ins – we’ll outline options, and you choose what feels right.
Do I need scans or X-rays first?
Not routinely. If screening suggests imaging could inform next steps, we’ll explain why and how to arrange it through your GP or a local provider.
Can massage sit alongside chiropractic?
Massage can be a useful adjunct to chiropractic. It can aid muscle recovery, help ease tension between visits and promote comfortable movement; we can suggest timing and focus if it aligns with your goals.
How do I book or ask a question?
You can book online or write to us via our’contact us’ page