St Lucia Sports & Spinal, 8 minutes away from Indooroopilly
St Lucia Sports & Spinal is located at the University of Queensland, St Lucia campus, on the Ground Floor, Building 21C. Conveniently located near Taringa, Indooroopilly, Toowong, Chapel Hill, Kenmore, Springhill, Paddington, Auchenflower, Milton, Rosalie, Bardon and other surrounding suburbs.
St Lucia Sports & Spinal offers Physiotherapy, Massage, Exercise Physiology, Dietetics and much more!
The St Lucia Sports & Spinal team uses the latest evidence-based treatments to treat various conditions, including shoulder, neck and back pain, sporting injuries, lower limb conditions, women’s health, headaches, work cover incidents, pre-and post-surgical, motor vehicle accidents and more.
Our team will provide you with a comprehensive assessment and treatment from start to finish. Our clinicians will work with YOU to facilitate your complete recovery.
St Lucia Sports & Spinal is NDIS registered and accepts Medicare rebates and HICAPS health fund claims. EFTPOS and credit card facilities are also available for payment.
Whether you are looking to recover from an injury or recent surgery or are suffering from general aches and pains, our multi-disciplinary team will help you to get back to doing what you love most!
services & FACILITIES
- On-Site Parking (5 spaces)
- Street Parking
- Gym & Pilates Equipment
- NDIS Registered
- Medicare Rebates
- HICAPS Health Fund Claims

OUR TEAM
Dee
Massage Therapist
Elise Wild-Smith
Exercise Physiologist
Peter Herzig
Gut Health, Sports Nutrition & Chronic Disease Dietitian
Tom Williams
Shoulder, Trunk & Lower Limb Physiotherapist
Nigel Smith
Hamstring & Lower Limb Physiotherapist
Paul Fien
Lower Back and Pelvis Physiotherapist
Dee
Massage Therapist
With 5+ years in the industry, Dee holsters a range of techniques for your treatment plan. She has undergone various training courses and strives to be as best-equipped as possible for a range of presentations. Depending on your goals, your treatment is likely to include a combination of techniques, some of which being:
myofascial release: an effective way to reduce broad tension, with long, deep pressure being applied
trigger point therapy: an effective way to release those pesky knots
functional cupping: a “western” take on the traditional therapy, where you perform muscle-specific movements while the cups are in place
(requires participation, ranges from about 5-15 minutes in duration)
passive stretches: slow, deep breathing while you allow yourself to get taken into deep stretches
When Dee is not in the clinic or studying, chances are she’s hanging out with the parents or taking her kids on outdoor adventures in the ranges or along the coast.
Elise Wild-Smith
Exercise Physiologist
Elise graduated with a Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology at the Queensland University of Technology. During her final semester of university, Elise started working as a therapist within paediatrics focusing on neurological conditions. Additionally, Elise has completed training in mat work pilates and exercise oncology.
Elise is very passionate about the positive impact of physical activity on health and well-being, which is evident in her love of leading an active and balanced lifestyle. Outside of her role as an Exercise Physiologist, Elise enjoys challenging herself with her gym training, going to the beach and finding the best gluten-free eats.
Elise understands that physical activity will look different for everyone and believes in the importance of facilitating holistic, individual and achievable interventions. Elise endeavours to provide the highest level of care, service, and safety to her clients to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Elise is available for Exercise Physiology appointments at our Chermside & St Lucia clinic.
Peter Herzig
Gut Health, Sports Nutrition & Chronic Disease Dietitian
Peter is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) and Sports Dietitian (AccSD) who is passionate about a client-centred approach to nutrition; tailoring advice and plans to the individual.
With a background in sport science and an extensive history of cycling, Peter enjoys fine-tuning the nutrition plans of all cyclists and is currently the consulting Dietitian to the QAS cycling squad. Peter is also very passionate about the nutritional needs of recreational, junior, club, Audax and Gran Fondo participants.
Peter’s interests lie not only in sport. He enjoys helping people from all walks of life to meet their nutritional goals by tailoring advice to their individual circumstances.
Particular interests to Peter include:
- Nutrition plans tailored to the individual
- Sports Nutrition: endurance sports specialist (cycling, running, tri), event nutrition, active child nutrition, recovery nutrition, fat loss, muscle gain, team sports.
- Malnutrition management (weight gain)
- Diabetes management
- DVA clients
- Correcting nutritional deficiencies
- Balancing body composition goals and training recovery
- Chronic Disease management and NDIS
- Sustainable weight loss
- Junior sports nutrition and everyday eating
- Race planning
- Advice for the travelling athlete
- Presentations and Training Camps
- Coeliac Disease
- IBS
Pete is available for Dietitian appointments at our St Lucia clinic.
Tom Williams
Shoulder, Trunk & Lower Limb Physiotherapist
Tom has graduated with a Bachelor of Sports and Exercise Science and a Masters of Physiotherapy. He has been involved in numerous sporting teams, including UQ Rugby Football Club, Toowong Football Club, UQ Swimming Club, and a physiotherapist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast. Tom also spends time teaching in the physiotherapy program at the University of Queensland.
Tom is passionate about exercise. He loves getting people back into exercise and sport, with a keen interest in running and swimming. His exercise science and strength and conditioning background have allowed him to bring a mixture of hands-on and exercise prescription skills to his physio work. Tom utilises manual therapy, breathwork, vision and vestibular training, and strength work to create efficient movement patterns with his clients. His goal is to help you move better and get back to exercise!
Tom is available for Physiotherapy appointments at our St Lucia clinic.
Nigel Smith
Hamstring & Lower Limb Physiotherapist
Nigel has an educational background in both Exercise and Sports Science and Physiotherapy. Furthermore, he is an accredited APA Sports & Exercise Physiotherapist and has worked within sports medicine clinics or elite sport since 2005. He has been involved with professional Cricket, Soccer and Rugby Union teams and is currently the Head Physiotherapist for The University of Queensland Rugby Football Club. Nigel is finalising his studies for his PhD thesis investigating hamstring injuries in AFL players and has published some of this research.
Nigel is available for Physiotherapy appointments at our St Lucia clinic.
Paul Fien
Lower Back and Pelvis Physiotherapist
Principal physiotherapist and practice owner Paul Fien has extensive experience in sports and musculoskeletal practice. Paul’s many years of practical experience have exposed him to a broad range of acute and long-term injuries – with Paul particularly enjoying the challenge of complex chronic injury recovery and management.
Paul has lead physiotherapy services for St George Rugby League and the University of Queensland Red Heavies Rugby Union – while also enjoying some ‘guest appearances’ for the Brisbane Lions. Outside of the various football codes, Paul previously coordinated physiotherapy services for the Tri-Alliance triathlon squad and has treated many national and international level athletes in track and field and cycling. A little know fact about Paul is that somewhere in his past, he even enjoyed a stint as a physiotherapist for the Holden Racing Team at Bathurst!
Paul is available for Physiotherapy appointments at our St Lucia clinic.
WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF US
World IBD Day 💜 @beenleigh_sportsandspinal We have an amazing program that is less about 'dieting' and more about the psychological reasons behind why YOU eat and what YOU eat and how we can make positive changes to improve your diet, health and lifestyle. Early last month we were lucky enough to have run a photoshoot with the talented @occhilism.moments, our women's health team and some beautiful Sunshine Coast mumma's 🤍 For all of 2022, we are celebrating 30 years of Sports & Spinal! World Hygiene Day 🤝 Endometriosis can be treated in various ways whether that be through medication, surgical procedures or hands-on, it varies for everyone who has endo. Chronic pain can be worsened by underlying inflammation. There are a few key nutrients that can help to reduce inflammation and help to manage chronic pain. The Sports & Spinal website is being updated! 💚 Say G'Day to Sam👋 In honour of March being Endometriosis Awareness month, we wanted to give a shoutout to an amazing foundation called the Pelvic Pain Foundation. Our Caloundra SSP team doing what they do best 🙌🏻 #sportsandspinal #pilates #clinicalpilates #caloundra Parkinson’s disease is a progressive, degenerative neurological condition that affects a person’s control of their body movements. In Australia, it affects 100,000 people with 38 people being diagnosed every day. EASTER HOURS 🥚 Say G'day to Prue 👋 Have you heard about our Diet, Behaviour and Beyond program? Meet Ash! 👋 "Since graduating, I have been working for Sports & Spinal for the last 3 years, and as a Podiatrist, it has allowed me to grow immensely both professionally and personally." Say G'day to Ash👋
#IBD or Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) are two serious, chronic digestive diseases that affect five million people worldwide.
There is no cure, no known cause, and little public understanding of the pain and chronic suffering with which IBD patients courageously cope every day of their lives.
The Sports & SPinal Dietitian team can assist in managing IBD through nutrition and education. Get in touch with your nearest nutrition team today 💜
#worldIBDday
Working through the planking pain together all to raise awareness for breast cancer. Go team 🤍
#teamwork #physio #sport #exerciseright #plank #corestrength
Curated by our expert Dietitians the Diet, Behaviour & Beyond program is tailored to your health and wellbeing goals 🤍
Head to our bio to find out more
It was an amazing afternoon spent with some incredible women!
If you or someone you know needs help with their women's health needs, get in touch with our team today 💗
Over this time we have helped thousands of patients, engaged with local communities, developed long-lasting allied health relationships and more.
We are very proud of the achievements and milestones we have made and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for us and our teams 💙
Watch this space as we have a heap of plans installed to celebrate our 30th anniversary!
This year's theme for World Hand Hygiene Day is focused on recognizing that we can add to a facility's safety culture and quality through cleaning our hands but also that a strong quality and safety culture will encourage people to clean their hands at the right times and with the right products.
Sports & Spinal prides itself on instilling high hygiene standards across all our practices and services. We take hygiene seriously 🧼
Unite, talk and work together on hand hygiene for high quality safer care everywhere.
#worldhygieneday #sportsandspinal #washyourhads #sanitiser
Physio can be a source of pain management and here's how:
❣️Pelvic Floor Retraining
Sometimes the muscles are too tight when there are issues in the pelvis, and this can lead to the original pain, or to compound existing pain. Women’s Health physiotherapists
are specifically trained to assess and treat the pelvic floor for this.
❣️Postural Retraining
The body moves as a coordinated unit, and with pain and dysfunction, this coordination is lost. Physios can assess and retrain patients to regain optimal movement patterns to manage pain.
❣️Exercise & lifestyle modifications
a physiotherapist can assess a patient’s individualised needs regarding work, exercise and social life goals, and combine this with managing pain to optimise outcomes.
❣️Pain Relieving Modalities
Advice on supportive braces or seats or the use of TENs machines for pain and nerve conduction management can be utilised as a good addition to treatment with pelvic pain flare management.
Get in touch with your local clinic today to book your women's health appointment
Head to our bio to read more!
Due to the launch occurring today the site may be down throughout today and tomorrow. We do apologise for any inconvenience but if you do run into any trouble with accessing the site or making a booking, please check back soon
We are so excited to officially launch our new site to you!
Sam is one of our Sports & Spinal Dietitians practising out of our Buderim, Maroochydore & Sippy Downs clinics.
Samantha studied a Bachelor of Dietetics at the University of the Sunshine Coast and is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian. Samantha provides a warm and understanding environment in which she supports clients on their journey to improved wellbeing and quality of life.
With her knowledge of food and medical nutrition therapy, she encourages sustainable eating behaviours and provides dietary advice that is guided by a client-centred approach, tailoring to the individual needs and unique background of each person.
Samantha believes that food doesn’t have to be complicated in order to lead a healthy lifestyle and is meant to be enjoyed.
Samantha has special interests in sports nutrition, bariatric surgery (pre & post), gastrointestinal issues and elderly nutrition.
Head to our bio to learn more about Sam and how she can help you with your diet and nutrition needs 💚
PPFA brings medically responsible, positive, and interactive education to schools in Australia.
PPFA is committed to supporting teenagers who suffer severe period pain, pelvic pain, and endometriosis to allow them to fulfil their potential and live the best life possible.
We applaud the PPFA team and all of their work! 🙌
Our multidisciplinary team can help patients with Parkinson’s through exercise, diet and nutrition 💚
If you or someone you know may need assistance please get in touch with your local Sports & Spinal clinic today
Easter is somehow already here!? And that means we have some changes to our usual opening hours
GOOD FRIDAY: Closed
EASTER SAT: Closed
EASTER SUN: Closed
EASTER MONDAY: Closed
TUESDAY 19TH: We are back!
Please contact your local clinic to find out more or to rearrange any appointment times 💙
Prue works as a Women's Health physio at our Chermside Sports & Spinal Practice. Prue is passionate about getting people back to doing what they love. Her treatment plans combine hands-on treatment with tailored exercise programs.
Prue is a qualified Pilates instructor and has completed additional coursework in lateral hip pain. Her most preferred areas to treat include the lower back, hip and pre and post-natal conditions. Prue is currently completing her Women’s Health Physiotherapy training to complement her current skillset.
One of Prue’s strengths as a clinician is using easy-to-understand language to explain complex anatomical terms. She consistently receives raving reviews from her patients.
Outside of work, Prue enjoys the outdoors and many sports, particularly swimming and running.
Head to our bio learn more and see how Prue and the Chermside SSP team can help you 💙
Our Dietitian team have developed a sustainable, maintainable and fun diet program that allows you to eat more, learn more, and be more! (is this even possible?)
Yes, yes it is. Contact your nearest clinic to find out more 🍏
Ash is one of our amazing Women's Health Physios based on the Sunshine Coast. Ash currently has the capacity for appointments at our Kawana clinic so if you require assistance with
❣️Antenatal & Postnatal MSK pain
- SIJ, Back, Abdominal wall separations, Coccyx
❣️Thoracic
❣️Carpal tunnel
❣️Bladder incontinence
❣️Return to exercise/ Exercise class screenings including internal pelvic floor assessments
❣️Women's Health Pilates & Classes
Get in touch with the Kawana team today!
☎️ 07 5438 8511
✉️ [email protected]
Hear from our amazing Sunshine Coast Podiatrist, Ainslee O'Connell about her Sports & Spinal career journey so far. Ainslee is an incredible Podiatrist that continues to raise the bar not only in her field but also as a health professional.
Keep up the great work Ainslee!💙
Head to our Bio to read more!
Ash is one of our Women's Health physios here at Sports & Spinal! We asked Ash to share with us what she loves about being a Women's Health physio.
Thanks for sharing Ash 🤍
#sportsandspinal #physio #physiotherapy #womenshealth #women #health #wellbeing #friends #family #pelvifloor #pelvichealth #pelvis #femalehealth #menshealth #womenswellness #womenshealthmatters #incontinence #womenshealthcare #wearehereforyou
Parking and Directions at St Lucia Sports & Spinal:
1. Enter UQ from the Sir Fred Schonell Drive entrance. Continue along the road and drive straight through the roundabout (an athletics field will be on your left).
2. Turn left into Blair Drive, then turn right into the 2nd street on the right – Union Rd.
3. Proceed along Union Rd and turn left at the top of the road – at the “Geoffrey Rush Drama Studio” sign
4. Follow the road as it veers right. Our sign-posted car parking area will be on your right. The entrance to St Lucia Sports & Spinal is approx. 20 metres away, to your right.
Free Parking
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There are 5 bays on either side of the parking area to choose from.
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Please tell reception on arrival your car rego
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On Saturdays, free parking is available everywhere on campus.
Public Transport
The University of Queensland, St Lucia campus has a very convenient public transport system, with frequent service available via both bus and City Cat.
City Cat
- Take a City-Cat to the University of Queensland stop.
- Exit the terminal and walk straight ahead, Walk out of the end of the terminal (heading west) along the path with the lake on your left.
- Take the right-hand path when it splits, up the elevated walkway to the UQU Building. St Lucia Sports & Spinal is in front of you to the right, next to the Bike Shop
Bus
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There are two bus stops at UQ, St Lucia campus.
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The first stop is located at Chancellor’s Place near the J.D. Story building. There is a map of the campus located near this bus stop. Please refer to this map to locate the Union Complex building (look for the swimming pool image and Union Road).
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The other bus station is located at UQ Lakes (photo at right). Buses travel across the ‘Green Bridge’ to access this terminal. Walk out of the end of the terminal (heading west) along the path with the lake on your left. Take the right hand path when it splits, up the hill to a carpark. BSSP is in front of you on your right as you cross the carpark.
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For timetables and further information, try the TransLink Website or call TransLink on 13 12 30.