Chiropractic Care in Adelaide
Evidence-based assessment and treatment for back pain, neck pain, headaches and other musculoskeletal concerns. On Marion Road since 1972.
Chiropractic is a regulated, university-trained healthcare profession focused on the assessment, diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal conditions, particularly those involving the spine, joints and surrounding muscles. In Australia, chiropractors complete five years of university study and are registered with AHPRA. Care is non-invasive and tailored to each person's presentation.
What Chiropractic Is
Chiropractors assess how your spine, joints and muscles move, work toward a clear diagnosis, and use hands-on techniques and exercise to help manage musculoskeletal pain and stiffness.
Chiropractic is one of the most widely used manual healthcare professions in Australia. Chiropractors are five-year university-trained, AHPRA-registered practitioners who assess, diagnose and manage musculoskeletal conditions.
At Stapleton Chiropractic, we have provided evidence-based chiropractic care to Adelaide's western suburbs since 1972. Our approach focuses on thorough assessment, a clear explanation of what may be contributing to your symptoms, and a personalised plan. The decision is always yours, and there are no lock-in plans.
All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.
Conditions We Help With
We assess and manage a wide range of musculoskeletal concerns, from common back and neck pain to nerve-related, joint and posture-related problems. Choose your concern to learn more, or book an assessment to discuss your presentation.
Back & spine
Neck head & jaw
Nerve-related & lower-limb
Chiropractic care for your work
Some jobs load the spine and joints in particular ways. These pages look at the musculoskeletal demands of specific occupations.
Not sure which fits? Learn what happens during your first visit.
All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.
What to Expect on Your First Visit
Your first visit is a thorough assessment that takes the time to understand your presentation. We take a history, examine how you move, explain what we find in plain language, and discuss whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for you.
History and your concern
We start with what has been going on and what you want to get back to doing.
Physical assessment
We examine movement, posture and the relevant joints and muscles to work toward a clear diagnosis.
Explanation
We explain what may be contributing to your symptoms in plain language, including whether another approach may be more appropriate.
A plan that fits you
Care is tailored to your presentation and reviewed as you progress. No lock-in plans. The decision is always yours.
All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.
How Our Fees Compare
Our fees sit well below the South Australian average. An initial consultation is $69 and a standard consultation is $60. All major health funds are accepted.
| Visit | Stapleton Chiropractic | SA average (ACA 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial consultation | $69 | $122 |
| Standard consultation | $60 | $71 |
Our initial consultation fee is more than 40% below the South Australian average (ACA 2025). All major health funds accepted; bring your card and we process your rebate at the time of your visit.
All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.
An Evidence-Informed Approach
We base care on current research and a thorough assessment. For common conditions like low back pain, clinical guidelines list manual therapies among the options that may help, alongside staying active.
Research suggests that spinal manipulative therapy may help manage low back pain. A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis in the BMJ found that, for chronic low back pain, spinal manipulative therapy produced effects similar to other recommended therapies, with a small improvement in function (Rubinstein et al., 2019). For acute low back pain, a 2017 systematic review in JAMA found spinal manipulative therapy was associated with modest improvements in pain and function over the first six weeks, though results varied across the included studies (Paige et al., 2017).
As with any treatment, individual responses vary, and most reported effects in the research are mild and temporary, such as short-term soreness (Rubinstein et al., 2019). We will always discuss whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for you, and if we feel you may benefit more from a different approach or from your GP, we will tell you.
All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.
Why Patients Choose Stapleton Chiropractic
A 50-year family practice on Marion Road, an evidence-based approach, no lock-in plans, and care led by Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor), who holds a B.Sc.(Chiro) and M.Chiro. from Macquarie University and is an AHPRA-registered chiropractor and ACA member.
- Est. 1972
A long-standing local practice on the Marion Road corridor.
- Evidence-based approach
Assessment first, clear diagnosis, plain-English explanation.
- No lock-in plans
Care is reviewed as you progress, and the decision is always yours.
- Convenient
On Marion Road with free on-site parking, open six days.
All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.
Care That Fits Your Day
We are on Marion Road at Plympton Park, open Monday to Saturday, with free on-site parking. Easy to reach on your way to or from work along the Marion Road corridor.
- Address
- 528 Marion Road, Plympton Park SA 5038
- Phone
- (08) 8297 5277
- Hours
- Mon to Fri 7am to 7pm
Sat 8am to 12pm - Corridor
- Plympton, Park Holme, Glenelg North, Morphettville, Edwardstown, Ascot Park and Marion.
Areas We See Patients From
Stapleton Chiropractic has served Adelaide's Marion Road corridor since 1972. The suburbs below are within easy reach of our Plympton Park practice.
All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.
Common Questions About Chiropractic in Adelaide
Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor?
No referral is needed. You can book directly. Chiropractors are primary-contact practitioners in Australia.
Do you accept private health insurance?
Yes. All major health funds are accepted. Bring your card and we process your rebate at the time of your visit.
How much is a first visit?
An initial consultation is $69 and a standard consultation is $60, both well below the South Australian average.
What conditions do chiropractors help with?
Chiropractors assess and manage musculoskeletal conditions, such as back pain, neck pain, tension-type headaches, shoulder, hip and joint pain. See the conditions list above to explore your concern.
Is chiropractic evidence-based?
We take an evidence-informed approach. For common conditions like low back pain, research suggests manual therapies may help manage symptoms, and we tailor care to your assessment (Rubinstein et al., 2019; Paige et al., 2017).
Will treatment hurt?
Techniques are gentle and tailored to your comfort. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) explains everything before proceeding, and the decision is always yours.
How long is the first appointment?
About 30 minutes, allowing time for a thorough assessment.
Where are you located?
At 528 Marion Road, Plympton Park SA 5038, with free on-site parking, open Monday to Saturday.
All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.
Book a Consultation
Book online or call (08) 8297 5277. No referral needed. No lock-in plans. The decision is always yours.
Book a ConsultationPrefer to call? (08) 8297 5277
All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.
Stapleton Chiropractic. Est. 1972. 528 Marion Road, Plympton Park SA 5038. Phone (08) 8297 5277. Email wecanhelp@stapletonchiropractic.com.au. Hours: Mon to Fri 7am to 7pm, Sat 8am to 12pm. All major health funds accepted.
Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor). B.Sc.(Chiro), M.Chiro. (Macquarie University). AHPRA-registered chiropractor. ACA member.
Last clinically reviewed: June 2026 by Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor).
References: 1. Rubinstein SM, et al. Benefits and harms of spinal manipulative therapy for chronic low back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ. 2019;364:l689. PMID 30867144. 2. Paige NM, et al. Association of Spinal Manipulative Therapy With Clinical Benefit and Harm for Acute Low Back Pain. JAMA. 2017;317(14):1451-1460. PMID 28399251.
