Nick Naimo is a Melbourne-based chiropractor with a background in exercise science, strength and conditioning, and rehabilitation. He works primarily with active individuals, gym-goers, and people experiencing persistent low back pain, neck pain, and gym-related injuries, helping them return to training and daily life with confidence.

Nick’s approach combines evidence-based chiropractic care, manual therapy, and exercise-based rehabilitation, with a strong emphasis on education and long-term outcomes. Rather than chasing short-term symptom relief, his focus is on understanding why pain is present, addressing contributing factors, and building resilience so problems don’t keep recurring.

Nick grew up on a farm in regional New South Wales, where being active and spending time outdoors was part of everyday life. He enjoyed a wide range of sports, but squash quickly became a focus, eventually competing at a state level. Through squash, Nick developed a strong appreciation for conditioning, movement quality, and performance.

As competition increased, so did his interest in strength training. Weight training began as a way to improve performance and physique, but soon became something he genuinely loved. Progressing lifts, improving movement, and seeing tangible improvements sparked a long-term passion for training.

Like many motivated gym-goers, that enthusiasm also led to early injuries. Shoulder pain from pushing bench press volume too aggressively and lower back pain from ego-driven deadlifts were Nick’s first experiences with gym-related injuries. His early interactions with healthcare were frustrating, often centred around prolonged rest, avoiding heavy lifting, or being told certain movements were inherently bad.

Rather than stepping away from training, Nick became curious. Why did these injuries occur? Why did some people recover quickly while others struggled for months? And why did the advice often feel disconnected from real training and sport?

This curiosity led him to extensive self-education before enrolling in a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science. During his degree, Nick became increasingly interested in strength and conditioning, particularly how athletes train, recover, and manage load.

He attended workshops and seminars, volunteered with sporting clubs, and completed his ASCA Level 1 Strength & Conditioning qualification. Through these opportunities, he gained exposure to high-performance environments, including working alongside NRL and State of Origin teams. While elite sport was fascinating, it also highlighted a gap between professional athletes and everyday people when it came to access to quality healthcare and clear guidance.

At the same time, Nick was working as a personal trainer. Personal training introduced Nick to what would become one of the most rewarding aspects of his career – helping everyday people make meaningful changes to their health and confidence. He worked with clients balancing work, family, stress, and long-standing pain, many of whom wanted to train but felt limited by recurring injuries.

Nick found that he enjoyed this work more than elite sport alone. By combining principles from high-performance training with practical, realistic programming, he was able to provide a high level of care to people without professional sporting support systems.

Over time, however, a familiar frustration resurfaced. Many clients were improving their fitness but continued to struggle with pain, flare-ups, or conflicting healthcare advice. Nick found himself increasingly drawn toward rehabilitation-focused education, exercise-based pain management, and performance rehab, which ultimately led him to pursue a Master of Chiropractic Science.

Nick chose chiropractic to bridge the gap between rehabilitation, performance, and evidence-based care. He was frustrated seeing clients receive outdated advice that discouraged movement, promoted fear around lifting, or failed to account for individual goals and lifestyles. He wanted to provide reliable, modern care that helped people stay active rather than stepping away from what they enjoyed.

Chiropractic training allowed Nick to combine:

• Clinical assessment and diagnosis
• Manual therapy for short-term symptom relief
• Exercise-based rehabilitation for long-term change

Throughout his postgraduate training, Nick continued to educate himself beyond university, with a particular focus on gym-based injuries, load management, and active rehabilitation.

Nick’s first role as a chiropractor was in a multidisciplinary clinic closely connected with CrossFit and powerlifting gyms. This environment exposed him to complex, high-load injuries and reinforced the importance of understanding training demands and gym culture.

It also shaped a core belief: healthcare providers should be part of fitness communities, not separate from them.

Nick volunteered his time running workshops, providing free treatment days, and supporting gym members on the floor. This approach built trust, improved outcomes, and helped keep people training safely rather than sidelined by fear or confusion.

After several years practising in Sydney, Nick got married, and shortly after, his wife became pregnant with their son. With family in Victoria, they decided to relocate to Melbourne.

Since moving, Nick has established himself as a sports-focused chiropractor in Melbourne, working with active individuals, gym-goers, and people managing low back pain, neck pain, and persistent musculoskeletal issues. He continues to build strong relationships with local gyms and fitness communities, supporting members through education, rehabilitation, and practical care that fits real life.

At the core of Nick’s approach is a simple belief: pain deserves an explanation, not just treatment.

Many patients seek care after months or years of recurring pain. Nick focuses on identifying contributing factors such as:

• Movement and biomechanics
• Training errors and load management
• Occupational and postural demands
• Previous injuries
• Strength, mobility, and tissue capacity
• Stress, sleep, and recovery

Pain is rarely caused by one structure alone. By addressing these factors and gradually improving capacity, Nick helps patients move away from feeling “broken” and toward confidence in movement again.

Clear explanation is central to care. Patients leave sessions understanding:

• What is contributing to their pain
• Why certain movements feel sensitive
• How rehabilitation supports long-term recovery

Nick combines manual therapy and exercise-based rehabilitation to achieve lasting outcomes.

Manual techniques may include:

• Chiropractic adjustments and joint mobilisation
• Soft tissue therapy
• Cupping
• Dry needling

These approaches help reduce pain and improve movement so patients can engage more effectively in rehab.

Exercise-based rehabilitation forms the foundation of long-term results and may include mobility work, strength training, progressive return-to-training plans, and load management strategies. Treatment evolves over time, shifting from symptom relief to injury prevention and performance support.

Nick enjoys working with:

• Gym-goers and athletes managing training-related injuries
• People with persistent low back or neck pain
• Active professionals balancing work, training, and family
• Individuals seeking clear answers and long-term solutions

Outside the clinic, Nick enjoys spending time with his young family and exploring Melbourne. He continues to train regularly and understands the realities of balancing health, recovery, and a busy life. A lifelong rugby league fan, he’s still adjusting to Melbourne’s AFL culture.