Functional neuro rehabilitation chiropractor in melbourne
Meet Dr Tony Briggs
- Holistic Chiropractor
- Functional Neuro Rehabilitation Chiropractor (FNOR)
- Certified Lifestyle Medicine Professional
- Critical Care Nurse
- 37 years clinical experience
- Member of the Australian Chiropractic Association
I began my career in Critical Care Nursing , working across intensive care units, cardiac catheter labs and anaesthetics. Those environments taught me fast that the symptom you can see is rarely the whole picture, and that the nervous system is almost always involved in what is going wrong beneath the surface.
Over time, I kept seeing the same pattern. People were being treated for what was showing up, not for why it was happening in the first place. They went through rounds of the same care, experienced temporary relief, and kept coming back no better than before. That bothered me enough to go looking for a more effective approach.
That search led me to chiropractic, then into Advanced Functional Neurology training through the Carrick Institute in the United States, one of the world's leading institutions in neurological rehabilitation. I completed all six modules of Functional Neuro Orthopedic Rehabilitation (FNOR), integrating clinical neurology and orthopaedics to address both acute and chronic presentations. Additional training in gait, running and movement analysis added further depth to my ability to identify the neurological and biomechanical drivers of pain, imbalance and reduced performance.
I also hold certification in Lifestyle Medicine, because the research is clear that sleep, nutrition, movement and stress are not secondary considerations. They are neurological inputs that directly affect how the brain functions and how quickly you recover.
The principle that sits at the centre of everything I do: when the brain and nervous system are not integrating information efficiently, the body compensates, and those compensations are where your symptoms live. If your address the compensation without addressing the driver, and the problem comes back.
People I work with
Most people who come to see me have already been through the system and are fed up with it. They have had imaging, tried psychology, physio and chiropractic, rested when told to rest, pushed through when told to push through and they are still not right.
If you are still struggling with persistent dizziness that comes and goes without explanation, or chronic pain that has outlasted every treatment, know that it is not your fault. Fatigue, brain fog, balance problems, insomnia and loss of confidence are just some of the indicators that the root cause is likely neurological and needs specific care and a holistic approach to treatment.
In our sessions you will be re-assessed each visit and specifically treated to gain relief and progress along your care plan. When the pieces are finally connected, things can shift faster than you expect.
My Brain First Approach™ & Balance Reset Method™
What it is, how it works, and why it gets results when other approaches have not
Your nervous system is in constant two-way communication with every part of your body. Your brain receives information from your eyes, inner ear, gut, muscles, joints and organs, processes it, and sends instructions back out. When this communication is working efficiently, movement feels natural, energy is more stable, pain responses are appropriate and your body can adapt and recover.
But viral and bacterial infections, gut dysfunction, inflammation, trauma, poor sleep, chronic stress, accidents, surgeries, concussion, whiplash, or spinal dysfunction can disrupt this communication. The brain may begin to misread or poorly integrate incoming information. In response, the nervous system compensates, changing movement patterns, redistributing muscular load, amplifying pain and disrupting functions such as heart rate, digestion, balance and autonomic regulation. Over time, these compensations can become established patterns, which is one reason symptoms can become persistent and seemingly unrelated.
My Brain First approach looks for the neurological driver behind these patterns. I assess how your nervous system is actually functioning, including balance, visual and movement function, to identify which pathways are underperforming, which systems are compensating and where communication is breaking down. Treatment then combines Chiropractic care, Medical Laser, Lifestyle strategies and my Balance Reset Method™ — a structured neurological rehabilitation method I developed to retrain how the brain processes and integrates three critical sources of information: the vestibular system (inner ear), vision and proprioception (body position awareness). When these systems aren't working together efficiently, the effects can extend far beyond balance, contributing to symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, headaches and migraine, fatigue, brain fog, poor coordination and autonomic symptoms associated with conditions such as POTS and Dysautonomia.
Rather than treating each symptom in isolation, the Balance Reset Method™ targets the underlying neurological imbalance. I identify where the system is underperforming or miscommunicating and use targeted rehabilitation to retrain those pathways, improve brain-body integration and reduce the need for your nervous system to compensate.
The goal is to restore how your nervous system communicates and functions, so your energy is no longer consumed by symptoms and compensation.
As your system becomes more integrated, regulated and resilient, you can have more energy, think more clearly, trust your body again and get back to doing the things you love, with the freedom to feel good in your body and fully engage in your life.
No guessing. A real assessment. A clear plan.
What to expect from your first Neuro Chiropractic Appointment?
Your first appointment is 60 to 90 minutes. I need that time to really understand what is going on with you, and everything we do after that is based on what we find. I treat every person with respect and take time to listen to your story and experience, because that is where the root cause lives. Rushed assessments dismiss the person and miss the point entirely.
You will leave knowing with a
clear understanding of what it has been driving your symptoms, what needs to happen and a realistic timeline for getting there. I will put together a personalised care plan that evolves as you progress and we will shape it together so it actually fits your life.
Your Path Back to Feeling Normal —
from first appointment to lasting results
No GP referral required. Private health rebates available for all health funds.
01
Week 1
Care & Understanding
Your journey begins with a
comprehensive neurological assessment
to identify where communication within your brain and nervous system has become disrupted. I'll explain my findings, answer your questions and develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to your needs.
02
Week 2
Restoring Communication
Treatment begins by improving communication between your brain stem, upper cervical spine, vestibular system and visual system. You'll also begin simple home exercises designed to reinforce your progress between appointments.
03
Week 3
Improving Nervous System Regulation
As your nervous system becomes more regulated, you may begin to notice improvements in dizziness, balance, brain fog, energy or standing tolerance. Your treatment plan will continue to evolve based on how your body responds.
04
Week 4
Building Better Function
As communication between your brain and body improves, your nervous system can become more efficient. Daily activities often begin to feel easier, and you'll continue building confidence in your body's ability to regulate itself.
05
Week 5
Increasing Confidence
By now, many people feel more confident moving, exercising and participating in daily activities. Treatment continues to strengthen nervous system regulation while improving long term resilience.
06
Week 6 and Beyond
Returning to the Life You Enjoy
The focus now shifts to maintaining your progress and helping you return to work, study, exercise, hobbies and everyday activities with greater confidence. My goal is to help you restore function, regain your independence and feel more like yourself again.
Heal faster & better with Medical LASER Therapy that supports tissue repair, reduces pain & inflammation, & accelerates recovery.
FAQ — About Dr Tony Briggs Neuro Chiropractor Melbourne
Who is Dr Tony Briggs?
Dr Tony Briggs is a Melbourne chiropractor with 37 years of clinical experience, based in Highett in Melbourne's Bayside. He began his career in critical care nursing across intensive care, cardiac catheter labs and anaesthetics before moving into chiropractic and advanced functional neurology. He now works primarily with people experiencing dizziness, balance problems, concussion symptoms, chronic pain and autonomic issues such as POTS and dysautonomia.
What are Dr Tony Briggs' qualifications?
Dr Tony Briggs is a registered chiropractor with the Chiropractic Board of Australia (AHPRA) and a member of the Australian Chiropractic Association. He completed all six modules of Functional Neuro Orthopedic Rehabilitation (FNOR) and advanced functional neurology training through the Carrick Institute in the United States, one of the world's leading neurological rehabilitation institutions. He is also a Certified Lifestyle Medicine Professional, a former critical care nurse, and has completed additional training in gait, running and movement analysis.
What is a functional neuro rehabilitation chiropractor?
functional neuro rehabilitation chiropractor assesses how your brain and nervous system are processing information, not just how your spine is moving. Alongside standard chiropractic assessment, Dr Tony Briggs examines balance, eye movement, coordination and movement patterns to identify which neurological pathways are underperforming. Care then targets those pathways directly, rather than only addressing the area where you feel the symptom.
How is this different from the chiropractic care I've had before?
Traditional chiropractic care often focuses on the spine and joints. A Brain First Approach™ starts one step earlier — with why your nervous system is producing the compensation in the first place. That means a longer initial assessment, neurological testing that includes vestibular, visual and proprioceptive function, re-assessment at every visit, and home rehabilitation exercises between appointments. If you've had adjustments before and the relief kept fading, this is usually the difference people notice most.
What is the Brain First Approach™?
The Brain First Approach™ is Dr Tony Briggs' assessment and treatment framework. It works from the principle that when the brain and nervous system aren't integrating information efficiently, the body compensates — and those compensations are where symptoms show up. Rather than treating each symptom separately, the approach identifies the neurological driver behind the pattern, then combines chiropractic care, medical laser therapy, lifestyle strategies and the Balance Reset Method™ to address it.
What is the Balance Reset Method™?
The Balance Reset Method™ is a structured neurological rehabilitation method Dr Tony Briggs developed to retrain how the brain processes three critical sources of information: the vestibular system (inner ear), vision, and proprioception (your body's sense of position). When these systems don't work together efficiently, the effects can extend well beyond balance — contributing to dizziness, vertigo, headaches, fatigue, brain fog, poor coordination and autonomic symptoms.
What symptoms and conditions do people see Dr Tony Briggs for?
Most people arrive with symptoms that have persisted despite previous treatment. Common presentations include:
Can Neuro Chiropractic care help with POTS or dysautonomia?
Care is not a treatment or cure for POTS or dysautonomia, and Dr Tony Briggs works alongside your medical team rather than replacing it. What functional neurological rehabilitation aims to do is improve how your nervous system integrates vestibular, visual and proprioceptive information, which plays a role in autonomic regulation. Some people notice changes in standing tolerance, dizziness, brain fog or energy. Your response is assessed at every visit so the plan can be adjusted or reconsidered.
What happens at my first appointment?
Your first appointment runs 60 to 90 minutes. That time is used to take a full history, understand what you've already tried, and complete a comprehensive neurological assessment covering balance, visual and movement function. You'll leave with a clear explanation of what's driving your symptoms, a personalised care plan, and a realistic timeline. Nothing is guessed — everything that follows is based on what the assessment finds.
Do I need a GP referral to see Dr Tony Briggs?
No referral is required. Chiropractic is a primary contact profession in Australia, so you can book directly. If you're already under the care of a GP, neurologist, cardiologist or ENT specialist, that care continues — Dr Briggs is happy to communicate with your treating team where it helps.
Can I claim on private health insurance?
Private health rebates are available with all health funds where you hold extras cover that includes chiropractic — HICAPS is available on the spot. Medicare does not generally cover chiropractic care, except under a GP-managed Chronic Disease Management plan, which your GP would need to arrange. Rebate amounts vary by fund and level of cover, so check your specific policy.
What does it cost for a Neuro Chiropractor Session?
New clients can access an introductory offer of two sessions for $300, which includes the initial 60–90 minute assessment and a follow-up visit. Private health rebates can be claimed on the day for eligible extras cover. Ongoing fees are discussed as part of your care plan before any further appointments are booked, so you always know the cost in advance.
Is the treatment gentle? I don't like being "cracked."
Yes — and you're not alone in asking. A significant part of this work is neurological rehabilitation rather than manual adjusting: balance and eye movement retraining, movement work, medical laser therapy and home exercises. Where manual techniques are used, they're chosen to suit you, explained first, and adjusted to your comfort. Nothing is done without your consent.
Where is the clinic and what are the opening hours?
The clinic is at 5 Beaumaris Parade, Highett VIC, serving Melbourne's Bayside including Sandringham, Brighton, Hampton, Cheltenham, Moorabbin, Mentone, Black Rock and Beaumaris. Opening hours are Tuesday 8am–7pm, Friday 8am–7pm and Saturday 9am–1pm. You can book online any time or call 1300 238 255. See getting here for parking and public transport.
