St Lucia Sports & Spinal, 14 minutes away from Milton
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
Nigel Smith
Hamstring & Lower Limb Physiotherapist
Zac Knight
Shoulders, Knees & Ankle Physiotherapist
Dee
Massage Therapist
Elise Wild-Smith
Exercise Physiologist
Peter Herzig
Gut Health, Sports Nutrition & Chronic Disease Dietitian
Paul Fien
Lower Back and Pelvis Physiotherapist
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.
Zac Knight
Shoulders, Knees & Ankle Physiotherapist
Originally hailing from Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt, Zac moved to Brisbane to study, where he graduated from UQ with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours). Zac is a highly passionate sportsperson with a deep interest in all sports-related injuries, more specifically shoulders, knees, and ankles. This interest is on the background of a lifetime exposure to sports with Rugby and Touch being his personal favorites. Zac places a large emphasis on exercise first focused rehabilitation.
Zac is an advocate for maintaining physically active throughout injury and rehabilitation to keep people functioning at their best through adversity and injury. Outside of Physiotherapy Zac enjoys spending time with friends and exploring new parts of Brisbane
Zac is available for Physiotherapy appointments at our St Lucia clinic.
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 in 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 clinics.
Peter Herzig
Gut Health, Sports Nutrition & Chronic Disease Dietitian
Peter is available for telehealth appointments only
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.
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
High Fibre Rum Balls 💫
High Fibre Rum Balls 💫
Disability Action Week 2023 💪🏻
Disability Action Week 2023 💪🏻
Healthy Gingerbread - Dietitian Approved ✅
Healthy Gingerbread - Dietitian Approved ✅
Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month 💙
Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month 💙
Disability Action Week! 👩🦽
Disability Action Week! 👩🦽
Last month Maroochydore Exercise Physiologist, Blair Austin graduated to local celebrity status!
Last month Maroochydore Exercise Physiologist, Blair Austin graduated to local celebrity status!
✨PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH WEEK 2023 ✨
✨PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH WEEK 2023 ✨
National Diabetes Day 🍎
National Diabetes Day 🍎
Get Christmas started early with these healthy rum ball recipes. best of yet, you can bake them now and freeze them for the big day.
Ingredients
🎄1 can black beans, rinsed
🎄1/4 cup natural peanut butter
🎄2 tbsp cocoa (additional for dusting optional)
🎄4 tbsp rum
🎄1 tsp vanilla essence
🎄6 dates
🎄2 tbsp maple syrup
🎄2 tbsp flour
🎄 2 tbsp almond meal
🎄 Desiccated coconut for dusting (optional)
Method 🥄
1. Soak dates in boiling water for 10 minutes. Drain fluid.
2. Combine all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
3. Roll dough into small balls and coat in coconut, extra cocoa, or as is.
4. Refrigerate for 20 minutes before serving.
Get Christmas started early with these healthy rum ball recipes. best of yet, you can bake them now and freeze them for the big day.
Ingredients
🎄1 can black beans, rinsed
🎄1/4 cup natural peanut butter
🎄2 tbsp cocoa (additional for dusting optional)
🎄4 tbsp rum
🎄1 tsp vanilla essence
🎄6 dates
🎄2 tbsp maple syrup
🎄2 tbsp flour
🎄 2 tbsp almond meal
🎄 Desiccated coconut for dusting (optional)
Method 🥄
1. Soak dates in boiling water for 10 minutes. Drain fluid.
2. Combine all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
3. Roll dough into small balls and coat in coconut, extra cocoa, or as is.
4. Refrigerate for 20 minutes before serving.
“From 25 November to 2 December 2023 celebrates Queenslanders with disability and the contributions they make to our families, communities, workplaces and economy.
This year’s theme – ‘Access ignites: it’s good business’ – focuses on increasing employment and economic participation of people with disability.”
Sports and Spinal Kawana works closely with their patients to increase their health and well-being to build community, social and economic participation 😃
Check out our range of classes ran by our exercise physiologists and physiotherapists via our bio 🙌🏻
#sportsandspinal #disabilityactionweek #alliedheath #exercisephysiology #physiotherapy #exercise #gym #disbaility #disabilityawareness #ndisprovider #ndis #ndisaustralia
“From 25 November to 2 December 2023 celebrates Queenslanders with disability and the contributions they make to our families, communities, workplaces and economy.
This year’s theme – ‘Access ignites: it’s good business’ – focuses on increasing employment and economic participation of people with disability.”
Sports and Spinal Kawana works closely with their patients to increase their health and well-being to build community, social and economic participation 😃
Check out our range of classes ran by our exercise physiologists and physiotherapists via our bio 🙌🏻
#sportsandspinal #disabilityactionweek #alliedheath #exercisephysiology #physiotherapy #exercise #gym #disbaility #disabilityawareness #ndisprovider #ndis #ndisaustralia
▫️ 1 1/2 cups wholemeal spelt flour (plus 1/4 cup extra)*
▫️ 1/4 cup maple syrup
▫️ 2 tsp ground ginger
▫️ 2 tsp ground cinnamon
▫️ 1/4 tsp ground cloves
▫️ 1/4 tsp bicarb soda
▫️ 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
▫️ 2 tbsp milk (any type)
Method 🥄
1. Preheat oven to 150C.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the 1 1/2 cups flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and bicarb soda.
3. Form a well in the centre of the flour mixture and pour in the oil, maple syrup, and milk then mix to combine.
4. If the mixture is sticky, add the extra 1/4 cup of flour.
5. With a rolling pin, roll the dough flat. Roughly 0.5cm thick.
6. Cut the dough out with cookie cutters and lay the biscuits on a lined baking tray.
7. Form a ball with the left-over dough and repeat steps 4-5 for the remaining dough.
8. Bake for 10-13 minutes until golden and then decorate however you wish!
* Can use Gluten Free or Buckwheat flour as an alternative
Makes 18 biscuits: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Low fodmap, Vegan
Nutritional information per biscuit: Cal: 86 Fat: 3.5g Carbs: 11.6g Protein: 1.8g
▫️ 1 1/2 cups wholemeal spelt flour (plus 1/4 cup extra)*
▫️ 1/4 cup maple syrup
▫️ 2 tsp ground ginger
▫️ 2 tsp ground cinnamon
▫️ 1/4 tsp ground cloves
▫️ 1/4 tsp bicarb soda
▫️ 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
▫️ 2 tbsp milk (any type)
Method 🥄
1. Preheat oven to 150C.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the 1 1/2 cups flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and bicarb soda.
3. Form a well in the centre of the flour mixture and pour in the oil, maple syrup, and milk then mix to combine.
4. If the mixture is sticky, add the extra 1/4 cup of flour.
5. With a rolling pin, roll the dough flat. Roughly 0.5cm thick.
6. Cut the dough out with cookie cutters and lay the biscuits on a lined baking tray.
7. Form a ball with the left-over dough and repeat steps 4-5 for the remaining dough.
8. Bake for 10-13 minutes until golden and then decorate however you wish!
* Can use Gluten Free or Buckwheat flour as an alternative
Makes 18 biscuits: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Low fodmap, Vegan
Nutritional information per biscuit: Cal: 86 Fat: 3.5g Carbs: 11.6g Protein: 1.8g
➡️ Swipe to see the men of Sports and Spinal Kawana show the love 💙
“November is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month! Men’s mental health in Australia presents some scary statistics, with 1 in 8 men experiencing depression and 7 men committing suicide a day.
Inactive men are 60% more likely to suffer from mental health issues than those who are active. Exercise can do incredible things for your mental health as it releases ‘feel-good’ chemicals in your brain that help improve your mood and mindset.
Exercise is one of the simplest and easiest ways to help improve your mental health, and it can have a long-lasting effect on your overall health too.
However, exercise and movement are only so powerful.
If you or someone you know is struggling, it’s best to talk to a mental health professional. There are many confidential helplines you can reach out to such as Lifeline and Beyond” (@exerciseright_aus).
#sportsandspinal #mensmentalhealth #mensmentalhealthawareness #exercisemotivation #alliedhealth #physiotherapy #exercisephysiology
➡️ Swipe to see the men of Sports and Spinal Kawana show the love 💙
“November is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month! Men’s mental health in Australia presents some scary statistics, with 1 in 8 men experiencing depression and 7 men committing suicide a day.
Inactive men are 60% more likely to suffer from mental health issues than those who are active. Exercise can do incredible things for your mental health as it releases ‘feel-good’ chemicals in your brain that help improve your mood and mindset.
Exercise is one of the simplest and easiest ways to help improve your mental health, and it can have a long-lasting effect on your overall health too.
However, exercise and movement are only so powerful.
If you or someone you know is struggling, it’s best to talk to a mental health professional. There are many confidential helplines you can reach out to such as Lifeline and Beyond” (@exerciseright_aus).
#sportsandspinal #mensmentalhealth #mensmentalhealthawareness #exercisemotivation #alliedhealth #physiotherapy #exercisephysiology
All this week we celebrate Queenslanders with disability and acknowledge the contributions they make to their families, workplaces, and communities.
Sports & Spinal is proud to be able to work with and treat Queenslanders with disability!
All this week we celebrate Queenslanders with disability and acknowledge the contributions they make to their families, workplaces, and communities.
Sports & Spinal is proud to be able to work with and treat Queenslanders with disability!
Blair took part in an interview on ABC radio 🎙discussing ‘bungalow legs’ - a term referring to muscle wastage in the legs as a result of not regularly using stairs🦵It is often experienced by elderly people who move into a single story dwelling. 🏠
Maintaining leg strength is important as we age, to ensure mobility and independence is maintained.🕺 A lack of leg strength can greatly increase the risk of falls and injury.
If you, or someone you know is experiencing weakness in the legs, causing difficulty standing up or with general mobility, contact your local Sports & Spinal clinic and see how one of our Exercise Physiologists can help!
Blair took part in an interview on ABC radio 🎙discussing ‘bungalow legs’ - a term referring to muscle wastage in the legs as a result of not regularly using stairs🦵It is often experienced by elderly people who move into a single story dwelling. 🏠
Maintaining leg strength is important as we age, to ensure mobility and independence is maintained.🕺 A lack of leg strength can greatly increase the risk of falls and injury.
If you, or someone you know is experiencing weakness in the legs, causing difficulty standing up or with general mobility, contact your local Sports & Spinal clinic and see how one of our Exercise Physiologists can help!
THE THEME FOR 2023 IS CONNECTION THROUGH CONVERSATION 👯♀️
At Sports and Spinal we offer Women’s Health classes which allows you to connect and relate with other mums and build a supportive community around you 💕
“Honest and compassionate conversations about perinatal mental health are life changing 💥 Whether you’re experiencing mental health challenges yourself, or if you’re concerned about a loved one we know that reaching out and talking about the way you’re feeling can be really hard ‼️It can feel tricky to find the right words. You might be worried about the way the person you’re talking to will react, and there’s a lot of fear around getting it wrong 🤦🏼♀️
That’s why this Perinatal Mental Health Week, we want you to know that everyone needs help at some point in their lives, and everyone deserves compassion and support 🙋🏾♀️
Reaching out, truly listening and making a connection is more important than getting the words completely perfect.
The PANDA Helpline provides counselling, referral and peer support from parents who have been through similar challenges. When someone calls, they will speak with a counsellor who understands the challenges of being a new or expecting parent. PANDA counsellors and peer workers listen with kindness and compassion, help callers explore support options, and can also provide information about appropriate specialist services” @pandanational
PANDA National Helpline 1300 726 306 | Mon - Sat 9am — 7.30pm AEST/AEDT
#sportsandspinal #PMHWEEK #pmhweek2023 #activemums
THE THEME FOR 2023 IS CONNECTION THROUGH CONVERSATION 👯♀️
At Sports and Spinal we offer Women’s Health classes which allows you to connect and relate with other mums and build a supportive community around you 💕
“Honest and compassionate conversations about perinatal mental health are life changing 💥 Whether you’re experiencing mental health challenges yourself, or if you’re concerned about a loved one we know that reaching out and talking about the way you’re feeling can be really hard ‼️It can feel tricky to find the right words. You might be worried about the way the person you’re talking to will react, and there’s a lot of fear around getting it wrong 🤦🏼♀️
That’s why this Perinatal Mental Health Week, we want you to know that everyone needs help at some point in their lives, and everyone deserves compassion and support 🙋🏾♀️
Reaching out, truly listening and making a connection is more important than getting the words completely perfect.
The PANDA Helpline provides counselling, referral and peer support from parents who have been through similar challenges. When someone calls, they will speak with a counsellor who understands the challenges of being a new or expecting parent. PANDA counsellors and peer workers listen with kindness and compassion, help callers explore support options, and can also provide information about appropriate specialist services” @pandanational
PANDA National Helpline 1300 726 306 | Mon - Sat 9am — 7.30pm AEST/AEDT
#sportsandspinal #PMHWEEK #pmhweek2023 #activemums
It’s time to know your risk and know your response.
1 in 10 adults worldwide have diabetes with 90% having type 2 diabetes. In many cases, diabetes can be delayed or prevented by implementing healthy habits.
It’s important to know your risk and what to do to support the prevention, early diagnosis ana timely treatment.
The multidisciplinary team at Sports & Spinal can help!
Our exercise physiology and dietitian team can help manage and assist with Diabetes. Get in touch with your local clinic today to learn more 👇
https://www.sportsandspinalphysio.com.au/locations/
It’s time to know your risk and know your response.
1 in 10 adults worldwide have diabetes with 90% having type 2 diabetes. In many cases, diabetes can be delayed or prevented by implementing healthy habits.
It’s important to know your risk and what to do to support the prevention, early diagnosis ana timely treatment.
The multidisciplinary team at Sports & Spinal can help!
Our exercise physiology and dietitian team can help manage and assist with Diabetes. Get in touch with your local clinic today to learn more 👇
https://www.sportsandspinalphysio.com.au/locations/
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
-
There are 5 bays on either side of the parking area to choose from.
-
Please tell reception on arrival your car rego
-
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
-
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.