No. You can book directly — no GP or specialist referral is needed for chiropractic care or spinal decompression at Shift. If you do have scans or specialist reports, bring them along: they help us build a clearer picture at your assessment.

Every new patient starts with a Spinal Health Assessment: a detailed history, movement and functional testing, and a conversation about your goals. From there your clinician gives you a clear picture of what's going on and recommends the right next step — whether that's simple Relief care, a structured program, or something else entirely. We won't recommend more than you need.

Book online, or call either clinic directly — Allenby Gardens on (08) 8340 1000 or Malvern on (08) 7081 0422.

We have two Adelaide clinics: 101 Grange Road, Allenby Gardens and 309 Unley Road, Malvern. Programs and memberships are valid at both locations.

Yes. If imaging is clinically needed — to understand what's going on, or to make sure treatment is safe — your clinician can arrange a referral for an X-ray or MRI. We only recommend imaging when it will genuinely change your care.

Three things. The technology — we were the first clinic in South Australia to offer MT Core Smart Decompression. The structure — care is organised into clear programs (Relief, Rebuild, Elevate) rather than open-ended visits. And the measurement — your progress is tracked with your Shift Score, so decisions are based on how you're actually responding, not the calendar.

Behind all of it sits a simple commitment: we won't sell you more care than you need.

Disc herniations and bulges, sciatica, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, facet joint syndrome, neck pain, headaches, general back pain, sports injuries, and postural or movement-related problems. See Conditions We Treat for detail on each.

No. Relief is exactly that — pay-as-you-go care when you need it, with no program and no fortnightly debit. Structured programs like Rebuild are offered only where they're clinically appropriate, and only after an assessment.

A three-dimensional decompression table that applies controlled cycles of tension and release to a specific spinal level. Biofeedback sensors read how your muscles respond and adjust the tension as the session runs, so each decompressive phase works with your body rather than against it. Shift was the first clinic in South Australia to offer it. Read more on our Spinal Decompression page.

You lie down on a purpose-built heated table and the table does the work — nothing is asked of you during the session. Sessions run 20 to 25 minutes and most patients describe the sensation as a mild, comfortable stretch.

Standard traction applies a single generalised pull. The MT Core works through measured phases of tension and release, targeted at the spinal level involved in your injury, with sensors easing the tension whenever your paraspinal muscles resist. If you've tried decompression elsewhere without the result you hoped for, it's worth a conversation about whether the MT Core's approach suits your presentation.

No — and that's why every patient starts with an assessment. Decompression is most commonly used for disc-related conditions: disc herniation, disc bulge, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, spinal stenosis and cervical disc injuries. Your clinician will confirm whether it's clinically appropriate for your spine before any treatment starts.

Relief is care when you need it: pay-as-you-go decompression and hands-on treatment, with no program attached. Rebuild is our structured, supervised program combining MT Core decompression with progressive strength work, coached by your clinician — offered by assessment only, for complex or persistent spine problems. Elevate is the step after Rebuild: a month-to-month membership with continued decompression, rehabilitation gym access and a formal clinical reassessment every quarter.

There's no fixed block of weeks and no set number of sessions we sell you. Your Shift Score guides when you're ready to move on — not the calendar. Some people get there sooner, some need longer, and both are completely normal.

It's the clinical score your clinician uses to track your recovery, built from measures like your pain scores, range of motion and functional markers. It's reviewed throughout your program, and reaching 80 or above is the graduation benchmark in Rebuild. See How We Measure Progress for the full picture.

Two paths. If you're still progressing, Elevate's continuation pathway keeps you moving forward with clinical oversight. If you've reached your graduation benchmark, you can either step into Elevate's protection pathway — monthly decompression and gym access to protect what you've built — or simply graduate and get on with your life. Your clinician talks it through with you at your program completion review.

A standard chiropractic visit is $79, or $65 for chiropractic members. A casual MT Core decompression session is $95, or $80 for decompression members. Program pricing is confirmed with you at your assessment before anything starts, so there are no surprises.

Chiropractic care is claimable through most private health funds with extras cover. You're invoiced for each session and submit it to your fund to claim your rebate in the usual way — rebate amounts vary by fund and policy.

No. Both memberships are month-to-month, and you can cancel anytime before your next billing date. Chiropractic membership sessions roll over if unused; decompression membership sessions are valid within the calendar month, because that membership is built around consistent monthly treatment.