Caring for Newcastle Families for Over 20 Years
At Family Life Chiropractic, we’ve been caring for individuals and families across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie for over 20 years. Based in Hamilton South, our practice provides personalised chiropractic care and remedial massage, with a focus on helping people manage pain, improve movement and feel more comfortable in everyday life.
We believe good healthcare starts with listening. By taking the time to understand your concerns, health history and goals, we aim to provide thoughtful, evidence-informed care tailored to your individual needs.
From Skeptic to Chiropractor
David wasn’t always convinced about chiropractic care.
Growing up in a family that was sceptical of chiropractic treatment, he had little exposure to the profession. That changed during his final year of school when his mother suffered a debilitating back injury that left her bedridden for several months.
After seeking help from several healthcare providers with little improvement, she decided to visit a local chiropractor as a last resort. The improvement she experienced in her comfort and mobility surprised the entire family.
For David, witnessing his mother’s experience was a turning point. It sparked an interest in chiropractic care that eventually led him to study at Macquarie University, where he completed his Master of Chiropractic.
Our Philosophy: Care That Puts People First
That experience helped shape a philosophy that remains at the heart of Family Life Chiropractic today: every person deserves to be heard, understood and treated as an individual.
We believe quality chiropractic care begins with listening, understanding the whole person and providing honest, personalised advice. Our approach combines clinical experience, evidence-informed treatment and patient education, helping people make informed decisions about their health and care.
Our goal is simple: to help people move more comfortably, feel confident in their care and enjoy the activities that matter most to them.
Chiropractic Care for Every Stage of Life
We believe every spine has a story, shaped by the way we grow, move and experience life. From our earliest moments through every stage of ageing, our spine supports the freedom to move, explore, connect and enjoy the world around us. Because movement is more than physical function — it’s fundamental to living life fully.
We'd Love to Welcome You
Whether you’re seeking help with pain, looking to improve your mobility or simply have questions about chiropractic care, our friendly team at Family Life Chiropractic in Newcastle is here to listen.
New to chiropractic? Discover what a chiropractor does, or get in touch to discuss whether our services may be right for you. We look forward to welcoming you to our Hamilton South practice.
Yours in Health,
The Family Life Chiropractic Team
Meet Our Family Life Chiropractic Team
Dr David Diehm
Dr David Diehm is the principal chiropractor at Family Life Chiropractic and has been providing chiropractic care to individuals and families across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie for over 20 years.
As an AHPRA-registered chiropractor and Webster Technique Certified practitioner, David has extensive experience caring for pregnant women, babies, children, adults, athletes, and seniors. He has a particular interest in family chiropractic care, pregnancy chiropractic care, children’s chiropractic care, posture correction, and spinal health.
After completing a five-year program at Macquarie University and earning his Master of Chiropractic, David discovered Newcastle and quickly connected with its relaxed lifestyle, strong sense of community, and family-focused values. Today, he considers it a privilege to live, work, and raise his family in the Hunter Region.
As a husband and father of three daughters, David understands the importance of family health and is passionate about helping people move better, feel better, and enjoy healthier lives.
Outside the clinic, David enjoys running, hiking, woodworking, and Newcastle landscape photography, with much of his work showcasing the natural beauty of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and the Hunter Region.
Patricia McDonald
After working in pharmacy for many years I decided to study Remedial Massage as a way to provide personalised health care for my husband who was unwell and to work within the community.
I completed my studies in 2010 after studying at Tafe New England and then studied my Diploma in Remedial Massage at the Australian College of Massage. I have been working as a therapist for the past
ten years. I began my massage career at Tamworth Remedial Massage Centre and also had my own home business.
I am very passionate about my work as a Newcastle massage therapist and I love being able to help people manage their pain. I see massage as a great alternative treatment for injuries, stress and pain management. Offering clients relief from stress and tension in a friendly and relaxation environment is very important to me.
I offer my clients Remedial and Deep Tissue Massage, Sports Massage, Pregnancy Massage, Hot Stone, Cupping, Children’s Massage, Relaxation Massage. I am a member of Australian Association of Massage.
Peta Peters
(Currently on maternity leave)
As a mother of four wonderful children and wife to my amazing husband living a healthy active life is important to our family and our values. I bring these values to every aspect of my life and my career in Remedial Massage.
Working with people to support their health has been a passion all my life. Being able to provide relief and understanding along with kindness and education is hugely important to me as a Remedial Massage Therapist.
Since 2012 I have had the privilege of working in Newcastle and Hunter regions helping people understand and manage their pain with the goal of providing relief and a better quality of life through Remedial Massage.
I am happy to provide clients with Remedial and Deep tissue massage, Pregnancy Massage, Relaxation Massage, Dry Needling, Sports Massage, Modern Cupping, Hot Stone Therapy Massage and children’s massage treatments. I am a member of Massage and Myotherapy Australia.
Lauren Cullen
I live locally with my husband, two adult sons and our cat. In our down time we enjoy exploring the walking tracks, going to the beach, camping, working in the yard and catching up with friends.
Having worked as an early childhood teacher for thirty years, I decided to make a change last year. While I will always be a teacher, I am currently studying for my second career in the health and wellbeing sector.
The environment and being connected to the natural world has always been an important part of my teaching philosophy and will be a major part of my future role.
I am thrilled to be a part of the team here and look forward to helping our clients.
Robyn Brown
Robyn moved from New Zealand in 1994 while working in sales and marketing. In 1998, while at 3M, she began studying metaphysics, spiritual healing, and parapsychology, which led her to leave the corporate world and embrace her calling as an intuitive therapist. For over 20 years, Robyn has provided healing arts services on the Central Coast, and she’s now bringing her expertise to Newcastle.
Robyn is incredibly proud of her 21-year-old daughter, who recently began traveling the world, a passion they’ve shared. This opportunity allowed Robyn to relocate to Newcastle, a place she finds reminiscent of Wellington, Sydney, and the Central Coast. She enjoys bushwalking, hiking, beach walks with her collie-cross dog, and exploring the area’s hidden gems.
Her chiropractic journey started as a young elite athlete, where chiropractic care and massage were integral to her training, recovery, and preventative health.
“I’m thrilled to be part of the Family Life Chiropractic team, helping deliver health and well-being to our community as your practice assistant.”
Mr Bone Jangles
Affectionately known as Bonesy, he has been with us since the very beginning. Standing tall at 180cm, this full-grown male skeleton might lack a heart, but he more than makes up for it with his incredible character! Often spotted out and about enjoying the Newcastle lifestyle, Bonesy is a regular at our community events and never misses an opportunity to share a laugh.
Bonesy shares our passion for connecting with people and educating them about spine health, often using himself as an example. His favorite time of the year is Halloween, where his charm truly shines. However, he does get a bit anxious around dogs—who can blame him?
Most importantly, Bonesy is our constant reminder to never take life too seriously. After all, laughter is the best medicine, and he’s always ready with a joke or two (he considers his humor humerus).
Keep an eye out for Bonesy at our next event—he’s sure to leave you smiling!