Spinal Decompression
Disc pain doesn’t have to be your normal. Explore a non-surgical approach.
Counselling
Life’s too full to carry it all alone. Take the first step toward feeling like yourself again.
Group Fitness Classes
Fitness isn’t one size fits all. Find your movement, your pace, your community.
Semaphore Chiropractor Dr Mario Stefano and the team take a whole-picture approach to understanding your body, not just the symptoms that brought you in, and we build care around what actually matters to you.
What would you like to do more of if you felt great? Maybe you love running along the beach, kitesurfing off the coast, or simply keeping up with the grandkids. Semaphore chiropractor Dr Mario Stefano and the team are here to work with you towards doing more of the things that matter, with chiropractic care that looks at the entire picture, not just the symptoms. And the experience of coming here reflects that philosophy.
Vitality Semaphore has a big, open, modern feel, warm and welcoming from the moment you walk in; nothing cold or clinical about it. We're not your typical chiropractic office, and most people tell us they notice that straight away.
When you are looking for a chiropractor who actually takes the time to understand what's going on, our chiropractors look beyond symptoms to better understand what may be contributing to your concern. We go deep into your history, run detailed neurological and orthopaedic assessments, and build a step-by-step care plan tailored to your goals, because no two bodies are the same, and neither is our approach.
New Practice MembersWhat is it?
Chiropractic care is the heart of what we do. Dr Mario Stefano and his team assess your entire spine to understand what's contributing to your concern. Every new ppractice member receives a detailed history and examination—neurological and orthopaedic testing, postural assessment, an inflammation scan, and on-site digital X-rays where clinically appropriate—followed by a personalised care plan on your second visit.
Who is it for?
Anyone experiencing back pain, neck pain, headaches, poor posture, stiffness, pins and needles, or musculoskeletal discomfort. Also suited to those who want to understand how their spine and nervous system are functioning and take a proactive approach to their spinal health.
Benefits:
What is it?
Non-surgical spinal decompression uses purpose-built traction tables to gently stretch the spine and reduce load on affected spinal structures. The technique creates a controlled distraction force along the spine and is delivered alongside chiropractic care as part of a coordinated, individualised approach.
Who is it for?
People managing disc-related concerns, degenerative disc disease, lower back pain, sciatica, or neck radiculopathy who are exploring a non-surgical option. Suitability is assessed on a case-by-case basis during your initial consultation.
Benefits:
What is it?
Gentle chiropractic adjustments address spinal and pelvic alignment throughout the prenatal and postnatal periods, with techniques adapted to each stage of pregnancy. Care continues after birth, with postnatal adjustments aimed at supporting spinal recovery following the physical demands of labour and delivery.
Who is it for?
Women at any stage of pregnancy experiencing lower back pain, pelvic discomfort, or sciatica, as well as those seeking preconception or postnatal care. Also suitable for women who want to take a proactive approach to their comfort and pelvic health throughout pregnancy.
Benefits:
What is it?
Assessments begin with a detailed history covering birth, developmental milestones, activity levels, and daily habits, followed by a comprehensive neuromusculoskeletal examination. Adjusting techniques are chosen based on each child's age, size, and presentation. Families also receive practical guidance on posture, screen use, and backpack fitting.
Who is it for?
Children and teenagers presenting with postural concerns, sports injuries, stiffness, or the spinal effects of prolonged screen use and heavy school bags. Also suited to parents who want a musculoskeletal assessment of their child's posture, movement, and spinal function.
Benefits:
What is it?
A precision-based approach using on-site X-rays, neurological testing, and a detailed biomechanical assessment to understand how the spine and musculoskeletal system are functioning under training and competition demands. Care plans are built around the athlete's specific sport, goals, and physical load.
Who is it for?
Athletes of all levels, from competitive juniors and serious club players through to active adults and weekend participants. Particularly relevant for those involved in high-contact or high-load sports, those training frequently across multiple disciplines, or those managing a recurring sporting injury.
Benefits:
What is it?
Chiropractic care for older adults focuses on spinal and joint mobility, posture, and nervous system function, with techniques adapted to suit each person's health history and physical presentation. We create plans that take into account what each person wants to keep doing, whether that is travelling, walking, gardening, or keeping up with grandchildren.
Who is it for?
Active retirees and older adults managing lower back pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, sciatica, neck issues, headaches, or postural changes. Also suited to those who want to maintain function and stay as active as possible as they age.
Benefits:
What is it?
Maria Di Lorenzo-Stefano combines person-centred therapy, CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and mindfulness practices in her counselling. Sessions provide a confidential, non-judgmental space to explore concerns, understand thought patterns, and build practical tools for managing day-to-day challenges. A free 15-minute introductory chat is available.
Who is it for?
Teenagers, young adults, and adults dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, grief, trauma, relationship difficulties, life transitions, or carer overwhelm. Maria has a particular focus on cross-cultural and trauma-informed care, adolescent wellbeing, and supporting mothers navigating the demands of family and career.
Benefits:
Counselling helps you draw on your inner resources to better understand yourself, so your choices come from a clearer, more grounded place.
Begin where you are — this first conversation is simply about connection, understanding, and gently exploring a way forward that feels right for you.
MEET MARIA (Mental Health Counsellor)
People who have seen other chiropractors elsewhere often tell us they've never had an appointment quite like their first visit here. We don't rush. We don't guess. We sit with you, go through your history properly, run the right tests, and look at what's actually going on with your spine and nervous system. Then we explain it all in plain language, and we build a care plan around your life, your goals, and what you want to get back to. No assumptions. No cookie-cutter plans. Just care that starts with genuinely understanding you.
We see young families and growing kids, active retirees who want to keep moving, tradespeople and defence workers whose bodies take a real beating, competitive athletes and weekend warriors, and everyone in between. Whatever brings you through the door, you can expect a warm welcome, a modern clinic with the right equipment, and a team that genuinely wants to get you where you want to be.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
Your first appointment is not a quick check-and-go. From the moment you walk in, we want you to feel comfortable and confident that you're in good hands. We take the time to hear your story, understand what you've been dealing with, and find out how it's affecting the things that matter to you day to day. From there, we carry out a careful examination of your whole spine, including neurological tests, postural assessment, and digital X-rays if clinically appropriate.
On your second visit, we walk you through all of those results in detail. Together, we work out whether we can help you, what that looks like, how long it may take, and what both you and our team need to do. It's a partnership from day one. How long does the first visit take? Plan for around 45 to 60 minutes, so we have enough time to do things properly.
Our ServicesFrom your very first visit, you'll notice that everyone here genuinely cares. Dr Mario and the team take the time to really listen, not just to what brought you in, but to what you want your life to look and feel like. This is a place where you feel heard, looked after, and supported by people who love what they do and are proud to do it well.
Dr Mario has been practising since 1996, graduating with a Master of Chiropractic from Macquarie University before building one of Italy's largest chiropractic practices over nine years. Back in Australia, he served as President of the Chiropractic Association of Australia (SA Branch) and is fluent in both English and Italian. Outside the clinic, he's a passionate kitesurfer, a soccer dad, and a proud member of the Semaphore community, which is exactly why Vitality Semaphore is right in the heart of it.
Meet Dr. Mario
Dr Charles discovered chiropractic and felt so strongly about its impact that he uprooted his family and moved to Davenport, Iowa, to train at Palmer, the original school of chiropractic. With decades of experience, including postgraduate studies in paediatrics, the Webster technique, and nutrition, and chiropractic mission trips to some of the world's most underserved communities, Dr Charles brings a lifetime of dedication to every ppractice member he sees.
Meet Dr. Charles
With 37 years in chiropractic and a career spanning Australia, the USA, and Italy, Dr Ralph brings an extraordinary depth of experience to the team. He holds a Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer West and a Diplomate in Chiropractic Orthopaedics, and has worked alongside orthopaedic surgeons in Rome, cared for world-class power weightlifters, and served as chiropractor to the Rome Ballet. He's delighted to be back in Semaphore and still learning, after nearly four decades.
Meet Dr. Ralph
Originally from Adelaide, Dr Mathew spent 20 years as a chiropractor in Melbourne, including 14 years running his own clinic, before returning to the seaside with his wife, Luisa and twin boys, Oliver and Remy, in 2023. He's a passionate advocate for helping people reach their health goals and loves nothing more than getting out on the bikes with the family or catching a good motorsport event.
Meet Dr. Mathew
Warm, energetic, and genuinely easy to talk to, Dr Pete believes chiropractic is about helping people perform at their best, not just getting through the day, but truly thriving. Trained at the Australian Chiropractic College (ACC), he's passionate about showing people just how incredible the human body can be when interference is removed and the nervous system is supported. Outside the clinic, you'll find him at the beach with his wife and baby boy, behind a camera (he's a professional photographer and filmmaker), or in the gym keeping fit.
Meet Dr. Pete
With a Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy, PACFA accreditation, and years of experience supporting clients through anxiety, depression, grief, and life's toughest transitions, Maria brings warmth, expertise, and genuine compassion to every session. Her person-centred approach blends CBT, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness to help you navigate life's ups and downs with confidence.
Meet Maria
Whether you have been dealing with something for years or you just want a clearer picture of where your spine is, we are here to help. Book your first appointment with the Vitality Semaphore team today and experience what care that truly looks at the full picture feels like.
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Live weather updates straight from our clinic — and if the changing weather has your muscles feeling tight or your posture out of balance, we're here to help you feel your best all year round.
