Team Chiropractor for the Victoria Highlanders FC: Supporting the Men's Program Since 2017
Updated: Oct 12
Dr. Mike Hadbavny has been involved with the Victoria Highlanders FC since 2017. For the first two seasons, from 2017 to 2019, he worked with the men's team day to day as team chiropractor: at training, on the sideline on match days, and in the treatment room. Since then, the relationship has continued through an ongoing agreement with the club and its coaching staff. When a Highlanders player picks up an injury or needs treatment, he comes to Saanichton Chiropractic Group, and Dr. Hadbavny checks in with the coaches about how the player is progressing and when he'll be ready to play.
This post looks at the Highlanders program, what that relationship has looked like over nearly a decade, and what it means for soccer players across Greater Victoria and the Saanich Peninsula.
The Victoria Highlanders: Victoria's Pre-Professional Soccer Club
The Highlanders were founded in 2008, when Victoria was awarded a franchise in the USL Premier Development League (later USL League Two), North America's top pre-professional men's league. For more than a decade the club gave Vancouver Island's best young players a path to college soccer and the professional game, with home matches at Centennial Stadium in Victoria.
In 2022 the Highlanders became founding members of League1 British Columbia, and in 2023 they won the League1 BC regular-season title before losing the final to Whitecaps FC Academy on penalties. In 2024 the club stepped back from League1 BC, citing rising costs, and refocused on what it does best as a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization: developing players.
Today the club's men's team competes in Division 1 of the Vancouver Island Soccer League, alongside a residency program that develops young players and helps them take the next step toward college and professional soccer.
2017 to 2019: Day-to-Day Team Chiropractor
During his first two seasons with the club, Dr. Hadbavny was part of the team's day-to-day medical support. That meant:
Pre-match preparation: treating players managing ongoing issues so they were moving well before kickoff.
Sideline coverage: assessing injuries as they happened and deciding whether a player could safely continue.
Training sessions: working with players through the week to manage the load of training and matches.
Return to play: guiding injured players back with realistic timelines that protected their long-term health.
Those seasons were also a foundation for what came next. In 2019 Dr. Hadbavny joined Pacific FC for their inaugural Canadian Premier League season, and he has been their team chiropractor ever since.
Today: Clinic-Based Care Through an Ongoing Partnership
Since 2019 the partnership has worked differently. Rather than being at the field every session, Dr. Hadbavny treats Highlanders players at Saanichton Chiropractic Group, with an informal agreement between the clinic, the club and its coaches. Players come in when they need assessment or treatment, and Dr. Hadbavny keeps the coaching staff up to date on how each player is doing and when they can return.
For players, that means access to a sports chiropractor who knows the club, knows the demands of its training and match schedule, and can work with the rest of our team (massage therapists, an athletic therapist and an acupuncturist) under one roof. For coaches, it means a clear line of communication about player availability.
The Injuries We See Most in Soccer Players
Whether it's a Highlanders player, a VISL competitor or a weekend player, the same injuries come up again and again:
Hamstring strains from sprinting and sudden acceleration, often linked to stiffness in the lower back and pelvis.
Groin and hip flexor strains from kicking, cutting and changes of direction.
Ankle sprains and the stiffness that lingers afterward if the joint isn't fully rehabilitated.
Low back pain from the repetitive rotation of kicking and the load of a long season.
Knee pain, including patellar tendinopathy and strain from contact and twisting.
For a deeper look at how these injuries are managed in the professional game, read about Dr. Hadbavny's seasons as team chiropractor for Pacific FC.
Care for Soccer Players at Saanichton Chiropractic Group
The same approach used with Highlanders and Pacific FC players is available to every soccer player in Greater Victoria, from youth and university players to adults in recreational leagues:
Chiropractic care: spinal and extremity assessment, joint mobilization and manipulation, and return-to-play planning.
Registered massage therapy: sports and deep tissue massage for hamstring, groin and calf recovery.
Athletic therapy: rehabilitation, taping and sport-specific return-to-play programs.
Shockwave therapy: for stubborn tendon problems like patellar, Achilles and proximal hamstring tendinopathy.
Acupuncture: pain relief and recovery support.
Most extended health plans cover chiropractic, massage, athletic therapy and acupuncture, and we direct bill. See our fees and direct billing page.
About Dr. Mike Hadbavny
Dr. Hadbavny is the founder of Saanichton Chiropractic Group. He holds a Fellowship from the Royal College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences of Canada (FRCCSS(C)) and the International Certificate in Sports Chiropractic (ICSC), and completed his Doctor of Chiropractic at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College and his Bachelor of Physical Education at Brock University.
Alongside the Highlanders, he is team chiropractor for Pacific FC (Canadian Premier League) and the Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL), and has worked at the 2023 Canada Winter Games, the 2025 World Games in Chengdu and the 2025 Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler. Read his full bio or learn more about sports chiropractic in Saanich.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you only treat Highlanders players?
No. Highlanders players come to us through the club, but we treat soccer players of every level, from youth and high school players to adults in recreational and masters leagues.
What are the most common soccer injuries?
Hamstring strains, groin and hip flexor strains, ankle sprains, low back pain and knee pain. Most respond well to a combination of chiropractic care, massage therapy and a structured return-to-play program.
Do I need a referral to see a sports chiropractor?
No. You can book directly, and most extended health plans don't require a doctor's referral for chiropractic care.
How soon should I come in after a soccer injury?
The sooner the better. An early assessment tells you whether the injury needs imaging or a physician's referral, and starting the right treatment early usually shortens your time away from the field.
Book a Sports Chiropractic Appointment
If you're dealing with a soccer injury or want to stay on the field for a full season, book online or call Saanichton Chiropractic Group at 250-223-0200.
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