Welcome to Spinal Care: A New Standard in Physical Medicine

• At Spinal Care, we believe that nobody should have to “just live with” chronic pain. Led by Dr. George Hardas, our clinics in Ingleburn and Kogarah serve as beacons of hope for those who have exhausted traditional avenues of treatment.
• We aren’t just another chiropractic clinic. We are a specialized center where complex musculoskeletal issues meet rigorous academic research. Whether you are struggling with a recent sports injury, a debilitating desk-bound posture, or chronic pain that has persisted for years, our approach is designed to look beyond the surface. We don’t just treat symptoms; we treat the person.
•        The Dr. George Hardas Difference: Academic Excellence & Clinical Authority
• In the field of physical therapy, experience is vital, but specialized education is the differentiator. Dr. George Hardas is the first chiropractor—both domestically in Australia and internationally—to be awarded a Master of Science in Medicine/Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
• A Legacy of Research and Innovation
• With over 10 years of medical research conducted at the Orthopaedic Research Institute at St George Hospital, Dr. Hardas has spent a decade analyzing the mechanics of the spine and the psychology of pain. His breakthroughs aren’t just anecdotal; they are peer-reviewed and published in the authoritative journal Spine.
• By choosing Spinal Care, you are placing your health in the hands of a practitioner who has instructed world-class Orthopaedic Surgeons. This high-level medical integration ensures that your treatment plan is grounded in the latest global clinical standards.
•       Our Specialized Services: A Multidisciplinary Approach
• Most clinics offer a one-size-fits-all adjustment. At Spinal Care, we provide a sophisticated blend of physical and psychological interventions.
• A. Chronic Pain Management & CBT
• Pain is more than just a physical sensation; it is a complex neurological process. Dr. Hardas utilizes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)—integrated with physical care—to help patients reframe their relationship with pain. This is particularly effective for:
•    Neuropathic Pain
•    Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
•    Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
•    Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia-related discomfort
• B. Advanced Chiropractic Care
• Using the Activator Methods® and traditional manual therapies, we address:
•        Lower Back Pain & Stiffness: Targeted relief for lumbar issues.
•        Neck Pain & Headaches: Reversing the damage of “Tech Neck” and tension.
•        Sciatica & Disc Herniation: Non-surgical decompression and alignment.
•        Osteoarthritis: Managing joint longevity in the hips, knees, and shoulders.
• C. Sports Injury Rehabilitation
• From amateur weekend warriors to elite athletes, our goal is to restore function through biomechanical correction, allowing you to return to your sport stronger than before.
•          Understanding Chronic Pain: Why Traditional Treatments Fail
• Many patients come to us after years of “doctor shopping.” They’ve tried physiotherapy, osteopath, naturopath, homeopath, massage, general chiropractic, reformer pilates, acupuncture and even surgery, yet the pain remains. Why?
• The answer often lies in Central Sensitization. When the body is in pain for a long time, the nervous system stays in a state of high alert. Even after the physical tissue has healed, the “alarm system” of the brain keeps ringing.
• Our clinic is uniquely equipped to handle this. By combining Dr. Hardas’s expertise from the Pain Management Research Institute (PMRI) at Royal North Shore Hospital with physical spinal adjustments, we “reset” both the physical alignment and the neurological response
• Topic of the month: Causes of Headaches
• There are many causes for headaches, and regardless the cause, they can range from slightly annoying to totally disruptive in how severe they can become, to the point that it can be dangerous to drive or do certain types of jobs that require focus.
• Headaches can also appear in different parts of your head, such as pain in the back of your head, neck and back of head, or in the sides of your head, and each of these have different symptoms.
• Neck and back of head
• These can be brought on by a three primary reasons, such as Arthritis caused by inflammation and swelling. Poor Posture is also a major cause of pain in the back of your head due to poor body positioning in your shoulders, neck and back. And herniated discs in the spine can cause tension and neck pain, which can often also be felt behind the eyes or in the temple. Often these headaches can actually worsen when lying down, disrupting your sleep.
• Right Side and back of the head
• These are usually caused by tension, and result in a tightness of the scalp or neck.
• Left Side and back of head
• This is usually identified as a migraine headache, and while they can appear at any location, most people will experience them on the left side of the head.
• Pain in the back of your head when lying down
• These are often referred to as Cluster Headaches, and while not common, they are very painful. The reason they call them cluster headaches is due to the wave of attacks the person experiences.
• Some symptoms associated with cluster headaches can include:
•         Nausea
•         Blocked nose
•         Sensitivity to light
•         Restlessness
•         Drooping eyelid
•         Sharp, burning pain
• There are three main classifications for headaches:
• Primary headaches
  Migraine; tension-type headache; cluster headache and other trigeminal autonomic cephalgias; other primary headaches.
• Secondary headaches
  Headache attributed to head or neck trauma; headache attributed cranial or vascular headache; headache attributed to non-vascular intracranial disorder; headache attributed to substance or its withdrawal; headache attributed to infection; headache or facial pain attributed to disorder of the cranium, neck, eyes, ears, nose, sinuses, teeth, mouth or other facial or cranial structures; headache attributed to psychiatric disorders.
• Cranial Neuralgias
  Central and Primary Facial Pain and Other Headaches: Cranial neuralgias and central causes of facial pain; other headache, cranial neuralgia, central or primary facial pain.
• When is the best time to see a headache expert
• While most headaches are usually temporary, and often a cause of something above or factors such as dehydration or general injury, it is advised that you see a specialist if the headache persists more than a couple of days, or your headaches start to interfere with your daily activities.
• If you experience a severe headache worse than usually, or one of your headaches becomes progressively worse rather than getting better it is also worth visiting Spinal Care to ensure it is nothing more serious.
• If you suffer from headaches contact Dr George Hardas in Sydney for a consultation.
• Frequently Asked Questions About Our Specialized Care
• What makes the Spinal Care approach different from a standard chiropractic clinic?
• At Spinal Care, our approach is defined by multidisciplinary integration. While many clinics focus solely on spinal manipulation, we combine chiropractic excellence with physical medicine, rehabilitative exercise, and evidence-based research. Led by Dr. George Hardas, who has extensive experience teaching orthopaedic professionals, our clinics in Ingleburn and Kogarah focus on the “why” behind your pain. We look at the entire kinetic chain—considering how your neurology, mechanics, and lifestyle habits intersect—to provide a more permanent solution than a simple “quick fix.”
• Can you help with chronic disc bulges and sciatica without surgery?
• Yes. We specialize in non-surgical management for disc-related issues. By utilizing precise diagnostic assessments, we identify the exact level of nerve involvement. Our treatments focus on reducing neural inflammation and improving spinal biomechanics to take the pressure off the affected discs. We also provide specific “nerve flossing” exercises and ergonomic advice to help manage symptoms at home, which is often a successful alternative for patients looking to avoid invasive surgical procedures.
• Why do you incorporate Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) into pain management?
• Chronic pain is complex; it’s not just a physical sensation but a neurological process. Research shows that long-term pain can “rewire” how the brain perceives signals from the body. By incorporating elements of CBT and Pain Education, we help patients understand these neural pathways. This dual approach addresses both the physical source of the pain and the brain’s response to it, which is proven to be significantly more effective for long-term recovery than physical therapy alone.
• What is the “Activator Method,” and is it right for me?
• The Activator Method is a diagnostic and treatment system that uses a small, handheld instrument to deliver a gentle, fast-thrust adjustment.
• How do you treat “Tech Neck” and postural strain from office work?
• Modern “Tech Neck” is caused by the repetitive strain of forward-head posture, which places immense pressure on the cervical spine and supporting muscles. Our treatment involves a three-step process:
• 1.      Relief: Targeted adjustments to restore joint mobility.
• 2.      Release: Soft tissue therapy to address muscle tightness in the shoulders and chest.
• 3.      Rebuild: Specific strengthening exercises for the deep neck flexors to ensure your body can support itself correctly during the workday.
• Do I need a referral to visit your clinics in Ingleburn or Kogarah?
• No, you do not need a GP referral to see us as private patients. However, we maintain a highly collaborative relationship with the local medical community. If you are seeking treatment under Workers’ Compensation, CTP (Motor Vehicle Accident), or the NDIS, we are fully equipped to manage these claims and will coordinate directly with your GP or case manager to ensure a seamless recovery process.
• Partnering with the Sydney Community for Better Health
• Beyond our clinical expertise, Spinal Care is proud to be a local fixture in the Ingleburn and Kogarah Bay communities. We understand that residents in the South Sydney and Macarthur regions lead busy, diverse lives—from commuting professionals to active families. That is why we offer flexible booking hours and a commitment to seeing emergency cases as quickly as possible….
• Our integration with local gyms, sports clubs, and medical practitioners ensures that your spinal health is supported within a wider network of care. We don’t just work in these suburbs; we are part of the fabric of these communities, dedicated to raising the standard of musculoskeletal health one patient at a time…..
• Chiropractic care offers a holistic approach to pain management, focusing on improving mobility, enhancing function, and avoiding surgical interventions whenever possible. Patients benefit from personalized treatment plans tailored to their specific needs and conditions at a reputable clinic like Dr. George Hardas in Kogarah and Ingleburn.
• Dr Hardas is a member of the North American Spine Society  (NASS) -Multidisciplinary medical organization focused on the spine. It is the largest and most prominent spine society in the world.
• See-Orthopaedic Research Institute
• See-St George Hospital.See-Dr Hardas channel 9.
• See National Library Australia.
• See-Journal ‘Spine’.
• See-American Academy of Orthopaesdic Surgeons.