Stapleton Chiropractic - trusted by Adelaide families for over 50 years
528 Marion Road · Plympton Park · Adelaide
That headache that builds through a desk day can make work and the drive home harder than they should be. If you want to feel better and get a clearer picture of what may be going on, book a first visit: 7am to 7pm weekdays, Saturday mornings, and free on-site parking on Marion Road.
Headaches are pain in the head or at the base of the skull. They may sit with tension, a stiff neck, or a migraine-type pattern. A chiropractic assessment with Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) may help map whether the neck or nearby tissues may be contributing. This is not a migraine diagnosis from a webpage. Individual presentations vary.
Everyone starts somewhere different.
Tap the one that sounds like you.
Clear steps. You stay in control of what happens next.
Your story, work demands, and what is getting in the way of normal days.
Movement, relevant orthopaedic tests, and a careful look at the area that bothers you.
Where possible, treatment may be provided on the first visit.*
*Only where clinically appropriate, based on clinical need and suitability. Individual responses vary.
What we found, what it may mean for you, and sensible options from here.
If care may help, we outline options. You choose whether and how to proceed.
Assessment findings and any care offered are individual. Treatment is only provided where clinically appropriate. Individual responses vary.
Clear numbers. No surprises.
SA average: $122*
SA average: $71*
After your assessment, you choose how you'd like to proceed. You choose what happens next.
*Australian Chiropractors Association Consultation Fee Survey 2025 (SA data). All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.
The five things people usually want cleared first.
Yes. Tension-style and neck-linked headache patterns are among the common reasons people book here. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) examines you, explains what he finds in clear language, and maps a next step. Individual responses vary. If this is not the right path, we say so and help refer and point you in the right direction.
Initial consultation $69. Standard visit $60. Over 40% below the SA average of $122 (ACA Fee Survey 2025). All major health funds accepted.
All major private health funds accepted where your cover applies.
No. Book directly. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) is happy to correspond with your GP when that is useful.
Your first visit is a real examination. Findings are explained in clear language. If it is not the right fit here, we say so and help refer and point you in the right direction. You choose what happens next.
More questions further down the page. All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses vary.
Choose a time that suits. No referral needed.
Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor)
B.Sc.(Chiro), M.Chiro.(Macq) · Marion Road, Adelaide
$69
Initial consultation
Open the live diary and pick a time that suits
Prefer to call? (08) 8297 5277
All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.
Deeper answers if you want them. The booking path is still above.
Yes. The upper neck shares pathways with the head and face. A restricted or tight neck may sit with pain at the base of the skull, temples, or behind the eyes.
That is one possible pattern, not a diagnosis from a webpage. See our neck pain page if the neck story is louder, or book so we can assess both together.
A webpage cannot sort that. Tension-style pain often feels like a band. Neck-linked pain often starts at the base of the skull. Migraine-type pain is often one-sided with light sensitivity or nausea.
Your visit is where we work out what may be contributing to your pattern and what is sensible next. That may include care here, a watch-and-review plan, or referral if that is the wiser path.
528 Marion Road, Plympton Park SA 5038. Free on-site parking at the clinic. Easy access via the main road if you are already driving past. Open in Maps.
There is no fixed number for everyone. Progress is reviewed regularly. Individual responses vary.
Not always. Imaging when clinically indicated. X-rays only with your agreement. Some pathways may be bulk billed where eligible.
You do not need a GP referral to see a chiropractor in Australia. If thunderclap pain, fever with a stiff neck, neurological change, or headache after a head knock is present, start with your GP or emergency care. For a more typical mechanical presentation, starting here is a common path. We will coordinate with your GP when imaging or further review is indicated.
Many people with tension-style or neck-linked headaches are managed conservatively. Hands-on care is not right for every presentation. A careful assessment helps decide whether manual therapy is suitable, which techniques fit, and whether a gentler low-force option is wiser. Temporary soreness can occur after treatment. Serious adverse events are uncommon. Red flags go to medical services first.
Yes. Using pain-relief medication on many days of the month may sit with a worsening head pattern. That conversation belongs with your GP. We can still assess whether a mechanical neck pattern is also present. We do not supervise medication withdrawal here.
It can help. Frequency, sleep, screens, and what you notice around the episode give useful clues. Bring what you have. We will still examine you rather than treat a diary as a diagnosis.
Both are qualified to assess musculoskeletal presentations. Here the first visit is an honest check of joint, muscle, and whether a medical path may fit better. If physio or something else may fit better, Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) will say so and help refer and point you in the right direction.
Yes. Stress may contribute to sustained tension through the neck, shoulders, and jaw. We cannot remove the stress from your week. We can assess the mechanical pattern that sits with it. Individual presentations vary.
There is no public timeline that fits everyone. Some episodes settle with time and sensible activity. Waiting is not always the best option if pain is severe or function is affected. Progress is reviewed regularly. Individual responses vary. We do not publish recovery timeframes.
No. Desk days and neck tension are common links people notice, but they are not the full story by itself. Your visit is where we work out what may be contributing to your pattern and what is sensible next.
Looking down to feed, carrying on one hip, long night shifts, and patient-handling postures may all load the neck and sit with the head. Saturday mornings and 7am to 7pm weekdays are there so a first visit can sit around family or shift work. Assessment still decides what is sensible next.
Several patterns can look similar. Tap a card. Assessment decides. Nothing here is a diagnosis.
General information only. This is not a diagnosis and does not replace a proper clinical assessment. Individual presentations vary. All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability.
Headaches often sit next to these presentations. Tap a card for more detail. This list is not exhaustive.
A stiff or tight neck that may sit with pain at the base of the skull.
Tap for more A band that builds through the day and may ease on weekends.
Tap for more Pain that starts in the neck and travels into the head.
Tap for more
Trap and upper-back tension may sit with the same week as the head.
Tap for moreThis list is not exhaustive. If care is not the right fit here, we can help refer and point you in the right direction.
Tap for moreGeneral information only. This is not a diagnosis and does not replace a proper clinical assessment. Individual presentations vary.
Many headaches are mechanical. Call 000 or attend ED if you develop any of the following.
A headache that reaches peak intensity within seconds, or sudden severe head pain with dizziness, visual change, difficulty speaking, facial droop, or unsteadiness.
Headache with fever, marked neck stiffness, or a new rash. This needs urgent medical assessment, not a routine first visit.
Confusion, weakness, slurred speech, a drooping face, or unsteadiness with the headache.
A new or clearly different headache after age 50, or headache after a fall, crash, or blow to the head, especially with vomiting or worsening drowsiness.
General information only, not medical advice. This is not an exhaustive list. If you are unsure, contact your GP, healthdirect on 1800 022 222, or emergency services.
A short orientation only. Tap a card. Assessment decides. Nothing here is a diagnosis.
General information only. This is not a diagnosis and does not replace a proper clinical assessment. Individual presentations vary. All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability.
Sometimes. Not always. The starting point is a careful assessment, not a label.
The upper neck shares pathways with the head and face. Load, sitting, and looking down at a screen may contribute to local neck ache. If those tissues are irritated, pain may also be felt at the base of the skull, temples, or behind one eye.
A cervicogenic pattern is one possible contributor. It is not the only one. A band that builds through a desk day may relate to muscle load. One-sided throbbing with light sensitivity may be a migraine-type pattern and needs honest medical framing, not a webpage diagnosis.
Guideline-level care for neck-linked headache usually starts conservative, with red-flag screening, then review. Read more on our neck pain page or cervicogenic headache page if that story sounds closer, or book so we can assess your pattern.
General information only. This is not a diagnosis and does not replace a proper clinical assessment. Individual presentations vary. All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability. Individual responses to treatment vary.
Guideline and review-level context for conversation. Individual responses vary. This is not a personal prognosis.
A 2026 chiropractic clinical practice guideline discusses spinal manipulation as a primary intervention for cervicogenic headache, and within multimodal care for tension-type headache. Study context, not a prediction for you.
Trager et al., 2026 · PMID 41685545
A systematic review and meta-analysis in the European Journal of Pain reported an effect of spinal manipulation on pain intensity and frequency for cervicogenic headache compared with control interventions. Individual responses vary.
Fernandez et al., 2020 · PMID 32621321
A dual-centre randomised trial studied spinal manipulation for cervicogenic headache. That is study context for a headache-linked neck pattern, not a promise that your headaches will change.
Haas et al., 2018 · PMID 29481979
A meta-analysis of randomised trials of spinal manipulative therapy for migraine suggested possible reductions in migraine days and pain intensity for some participants. The evidence is still developing. This is not a claim that migraine will resolve.
Rist et al., 2019 · PMID 30919464
The UK evidence report summarises where manual therapies may help musculoskeletal presentations. Suitability depends on assessment. Adverse events in reviews are generally described as minor and transient.
Bronfort et al., 2010 · PMID 20184717
Research in Australian office workers found new neck-pain episodes are common across a work year. Desk and device load is a clue, not a diagnosis. The same week may include a head story.
Hush et al., 2009 · BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Serious pathology is uncommon. Screening still matters. Thunderclap pain, fever with a stiff neck, neurological change, or headache after a head knock means urgent medical care first.
Conversation context, not a personal prognosis
Care is discussed after assessment. Progress is reviewed regularly. If imaging, your GP, or another path is wiser, we say so. In-house cold laser may be discussed if a soft-tissue picture fits. Ask at your visit. Individual responses vary.
Conversation context, not a personal prognosis
Citations support a conversation. They do not promise your outcome. Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor) will explain what he finds and what is sensible next. You choose.
Book a first visit to apply this to you
| Question | Chiropractic here | Physiotherapy |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Upper neck and upper-back mechanics, screening, and hands-on care including adjustments where suitable | Often more exercise-focused or soft-tissue-centric |
| Exercise | Exercises and stretches may be prescribed where appropriate, alongside hands-on care | Exercise rehabilitation is often a main focus |
| Soft tissue | In-house cold laser may be discussed if a soft-tissue picture fits. Ask at your visit | Soft-tissue work varies by clinic |
| Referral needed? | No. Book directly | No |
| Plan or contract? | You choose the next step | Varies by clinic |
| If this is not the right fit | We refer and point you in the right direction | Your physio may refer on |
Citations support conversation, not a guarantee. Not a diagnosis. Individual responses vary. All care is provided subject to clinical assessment and individual suitability.
Three common situations. Tap a card. This is orientation, not a diagnosis.
General information only. This is not a diagnosis and does not replace a proper clinical assessment. Individual presentations vary.
What you need for a smooth first visit.
528 Marion Road, Plympton Park SA 5038 Free on-site parking at the clinic.
Get directionsAll major health funds accepted where your cover applies.
Comfortable clothing. Recent imaging or reports if you have them. No referral needed.
on Marion Road
Est. 1972
