What does a sports chiropractor do differently than a regular chiropractor?

A sports chiropractor has training and experience focused on musculoskeletal injuries in active individuals and athletes. At Pinnacle Rehab and Performance, this is combined with a strength and conditioning background, meaning rehabilitation is performance-integrated from day one. Sessions focus on load management, movement quality, and sport-specific capacity — not passive treatment alone. Each appointment is 60 minutes, 1-on-1.

How long does ACL rehabilitation take?

ACL rehabilitation typically requires 9 to 12 months to return to competitive sport, though timelines vary based on surgical technique, sport demands, and individual response to training. The most important factor is not time elapsed but objective criteria met — including limb symmetry greater than 90% and psychological readiness. Individual outcomes vary.

Where is Pinnacle Rehab and Performance located?

Pinnacle Rehab and Performance operates from two Melbourne locations: East Brunswick at Unit 102, 6 Bluestone Way, Brunswick East VIC 3057, and West Melbourne at 45 Batman Street, West Melbourne VIC 3003. Online telehealth consultations are also available across Australia. Appointments are by booking only — Tuesday and Thursday 8am–7pm, Saturday 8am–1pm.

Do you offer telehealth or online consultations?

Yes. Online rehab consultations are available for those outside Melbourne or who prefer remote access. Sessions include full video assessment, program design, and ongoing coaching support via the TrainHeroic app. Available across Australia and internationally.

Should I rest or keep moving with low back pain?

For most presentations, continued movement at an appropriate load produces better outcomes than complete rest. Complete rest is rarely indicated and often worsens long-term function. The goal is to identify movements and loads that are tolerable and progressively build capacity from there. A clinical assessment will guide what is appropriate for each individual presentation.

Do I need a referral to see a sports chiropractor?

No referral is required. You can book directly online. If you have existing imaging or specialist reports relevant to your condition, bring these to your first appointment as they will inform the assessment process.

Is sports chiropractic covered by private health insurance?

Chiropractic is an eligible allied health service under most Australian private health funds with extras cover. The rebate level depends on your specific fund and policy. Contact your insurer before your appointment to confirm your entitlements.

How many sessions will I need?

Session numbers vary depending on the individual's condition, history, and goals. Many clients attend 1 to 2 sessions per week in the early stages, with frequency reducing as strength and independence build. Most clients achieve significant improvement within 6–12 weeks. Individual outcomes vary.

What sports injuries does Pinnacle Rehab and Performance treat?

Pinnacle works with athletes across basketball, AFL, soccer, football, HYROX, running, CrossFit, Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, volleyball, and badminton. Commonly managed conditions include ACL and MCL sprains and tears, patellar tendinopathy, hamstring strains, low back pain, lumbar disc injuries, ankle sprains, Achilles tendinopathy, hip impingement (FAI), rotator cuff injuries, and patellofemoral pain syndrome.

What is HYROX and what injuries does it cause?

HYROX is a fitness racing event combining 8km of running with 8 functional workout stations including sled push, sled pull, SkiErg, rowing, farmer's carry, sandbag lunges, burpee broad jumps, and wall balls. Common HYROX injuries include knee pain from sled push and wall ball loading, low back pain from farmer's carry and SkiErg, Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, hip flexor strains, and shoulder impingement from rowing and wall balls.

Meet Dr. Raymond Lau

Sports Chiropractor & Rehab Specialist

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Dr. Raymond Lau

Clinical Director, Sports Chiropractor

Dr. Raymond Lau is the founder and clinical director of Pinnacle Rehab and Performance. Born in Toronto and now based in Melbourne, Ray got his B.Sc in Kinesiology (the study of human movement and exercise science) at the University of Waterloo before completing his Master of Chiropractic (Macquarie University)— giving him a clinical foundation that sits at the intersection of movement science, injury rehabilitation, and performance training.

His background is not typical for a chiropractor. Before entering clinical practice, Ray worked as a strength and conditioning coach with athletes across high school, national, and professional levels in volleyball, basketball, and hockey. That experience shapes everything about how Pinnacle Rehab and Performance operates — rehabilitation is not an adjunct to performance at this clinic. They are the same process - and it is how he has helped hundreds of clients.

Qualifications & Credentials

Master of Chiropractic — Macquarie University, Sydney

Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology (Exercise Science) — University of Waterloo, Canada
Strength and Conditioning coaching experience across high school, national, and professional-level sport

Clinical Philosophy

Ray's clinical approach is built on one principle: the gap between "pain-free" and "performance-ready" is where most rehab fails. The majority of clinical models discharge patients when symptoms resolve. At Pinnacle Rehab and Performance, that point is roughly the middle of the process — not the end.

Every client receives a structured, phased program with objective milestones. Progress is tracked. Criteria are met before advancing. And performance goals — returning to sport, lifting heavy, running without pain — are built into the plan from session one, not added as an afterthought.

This is not a passive treatment model. Manipulation and manual therapy are tools within a broader rehabilitation process, not the endpoint. The endpoint is a client who is stronger, more resilient, and better informed about how to manage their body long-term.

A man in a black tank top and shorts is performing a knee exercise with assistance from a trainer who is kneeling beside him in a gym.

Clinical Interests

Low back pain — including lumbar disc injuries, chronic non-specific LBP, and facet joint conditions
Knee injuries — ACL and MCL rehabilitation, patellofemoral pain, patellar tendinopathy
Lower limb injuries — hip pain, gluteal tendinopathy, ankle sprains, Achilles tendinopathy
Shoulder pain — rotator cuff tendinopathy, general shoulder pain
Tendinopathy management — evidence-based progressive loading protocols
Athletic development and return-to-sport programming