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.

Knee Extensions for Knee Health — Pinnacle Rehab and Performance

One of the most important things in knee rehab is getting your quadriceps (the muscle on the front of your thigh) strong and knee happy to bend.

Your quads are very important in applying braking forces (help prevent anterior translation of the tibia - which is important in ACL prevention) when we decelerate and also a contributor to vertical jump performance.

And if you’re looking to go back to sport and decrease your chance of re-injury - you need strong and powerful symmetrical quads. With ACL rehab and other knee injuries - we are looking for at least 90% LSI (limb symmetry index) in rate of force development (reactiveness and explosiveness) and >95% LSI in strength before athletes are cleared for Return to Sport.

A lot of athletes coming to see me with knee injuries (ex. patellofemoral pain, patella tendinopathy) aren't happy with loading the quads and when given single leg exercises - you can see them compensate and avoid loading the quad by shifting their weight backwards. By shifting their weight backwards you start to shift the loads and demands onto the posterior chain.

The easiest fix? Just use a knee extension machine. It will 100% guarantee loading the quadriceps.

In fact - there is ACL research that found when implementing knee extensions early compared to only closed chain exercises (lunges, split squats, squats, etc.) - the group that did knee extensions regained their strength and hypertrophy faster than those that only did closed chain exercises.

And before people start saying it isn't "functional"... the goal is to translate the strength from the exercise into your task...

So if you’re looking to go back to sport and you recovering from a knee injury - one of the best things you can do to hep it is to - strengthen your quads. It will help strengthen, stabilise and protect your knee which could help return you to your sport faster.

Looking to go back to sport? Dealing with Knee Pain?

At Pinnacle Rehab & Performance, we do things differently. Operating out of a gym, we’re built to take you beyond just being pain-free. Our approach blends rehab with performance — meaning we not only get you moving well again, but we also help you rebuild strength, restore power, and return to doing what you love at a high level. Whether you're an athlete or just want to feel and perform your best, this is where rehab meets real results. Ready to bridge the gap between recovery and performance?

Book Your Free Discovery Call to See How We Can Help (Click Here)

Knee Extensions for Knee Health

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