Sports Injury Chiropractor Fremantle:
Get Back to Training Faster
Sports injuries are frustrating. Whether you're a competitive athlete or someone who just loves to train, being sidelined is the last thing you want. At North Fremantle Chiropractic, we understand that better than most.
Our lead chiropractor Dr Nathan Bridger is not just a sports chiropractor he's an accredited strength and conditioning coach who has competed in powerlifting, strongman, CrossFit, and rugby. He has provided care for elite athletes across all of these sports and many more. When you come to us with a sports injury, you're being assessed by someone who has lived in that world and understands what it takes to get back performing at your best.
We work with athletes and active individuals from across Fremantle, North Fremantle, East Fremantle, and the wider Perth area. If you're looking for a sports injury chiropractor who actually speaks your language, you're in the right place.
We also provide dedicated care for CrossFit, Hyrox, and strength sport athletes [find out more here]
Sports Injuries We Treat
We assess and treat a wide range of sports and training-related injuries. Our approach starts with an accurate diagnosis because treating the wrong thing wastes your time and delays your recovery.
Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries are among the most common presentations we see, particularly in athletes involved in overhead sport, swimming, CrossFit, and contact sport. We regularly treat rotator cuff strains and tears, AC joint sprains, shoulder impingement, labral irritation, and bicep tendinopathy.
Shoulder injuries rarely get better on their own without addressing the underlying cause. We assess the full shoulder complex, identify what's driving the problem, and build a treatment plan that restores function and prevents recurrence.
Back Pain and Disc Injuries from Sport
Lower back pain is extremely common in athletes particularly those involved in lifting, contact sport, and high-volume training. We treat muscle strains, facet syndrome, disc bulges, and sciatica that have been triggered or aggravated by sport and training.
We pay particular attention to movement patterns and load because most sport-related back injuries are the result of a mechanical issue that can be corrected, not just managed.
Knee and Hip Injuries
Knee and hip injuries affect athletes across every sport. We regularly treat patella tendinopathy, IT band syndrome, runner's knee, hip flexor strains, labral irritation, and osteitis pubis. Whether the cause is running volume, heavy squatting, team sport, or CrossFit, we assess the full kinetic chain to find the real source of the problem.
Neck Pain and Headaches from Sport
Wrist, Elbow, and Ankle Injuries
Upper and lower limb injuries are common in gymnasts, CrossFit athletes, court sport players, and runners. We treat wrist and elbow pain from repetitive loading and poor mechanics, as well as ankle sprains, Achilles tendinopathy, and plantar fasciitis in runners and field sport athletes.
How We Treat Sports Injuries
Our approach to sports injury treatment is built on accurate assessment, honest communication, and a plan that works with your training schedule rather than pulling you away from it entirely.
Assessment and Diagnosis
Your first appointment is a full clinical assessment. We take a thorough history, perform neurological, orthopaedic, and musculoskeletal testing, and where necessary refer for imaging. You'll leave your first appointment knowing exactly what's going on and what to do about it not wondering what happened.
Treatment
Treatment at NFC may include spinal and joint adjustment, soft tissue therapy, dry needling, and targeted rehabilitation exercise. We look at the injury in the context of how you move and train because the pain you feel is often not where the problem originates.
Rehabilitation and Return to Sport
Getting out of pain is step one. Getting back to full training is the goal. We prescribe specific rehabilitation exercises, provide load management guidance, and give you a clear return-to-sport timeline so you know where you're at and what to expect.
We don't give you vague open-ended treatment plans. We give you a clear picture from the start.
Sports We Regularly Work With
We have direct experience treating athletes from a wide range of sports and training backgrounds including:
-
CrossFit and functional fitness
-
Hyrox
-
Powerlifting and strength sport
-
Strongman
-
Rugby union and rugby league
-
AFL and Australian rules football
-
Running and trail running
-
Cycling and triathlon
-
Swimming
-
Padel and racquet sports
-
Team sports including basketball, soccer, and netball
-
General gym and strength training
Why Choose North Fremantle Chiropractic for Sports Injuries?
Most chiropractors treat sports injuries. Not many of them have competed in the sports they treat.
Dr Nathan Bridger brings dual qualifications as a chiropractor and accredited strength and conditioning coach, combined with real competitive experience across powerlifting, strongman, CrossFit, and rugby. That background shapes how we assess, how we treat, and how we talk to athletes about their bodies and their training.
We don't just get you out of pain. We get you back to performing.
FAQs:
Q: Do I need a referral to see a sports chiropractor?
A: No referral needed. Book directly online or call 0414 316 261.
Q: Can I keep training while I'm being treated?
A: In most cases, yes. We'll identify what to modify and what to keep doing so you maintain fitness while you recover. Stopping training entirely is rarely the answer.
Q: How many sessions will I need for a sports injury?
A: It depends on the injury, how long it's been there, and how well you manage load during recovery. Most acute sports injuries respond well within 4-8 weeks. We'll give you a realistic timeframe at your first appointment.
Q: Do you treat injuries in athletes who are still in season?
A: Yes. In-season injury management is something we do regularly. The goal is to keep you competing where possible while addressing the underlying issue.
Q: What's the difference between seeing a sports chiropractor and a physio?
A: Both can treat sports injuries effectively. At NFC, our edge is the combination of chiropractic assessment and treatment with genuine strength and conditioning expertise. We understand training load, movement mechanics, and competition demands in a way that shapes how we assess and treat.
Q: Do you see athletes from outside the Fremantle area?
A: Yes. We regularly see patients from across Perth. Our location in North Fremantle is easy to access from most parts of the metro area.