A car accident can be over in a second. The effects on your body can show up over the next two days.
Pain you do not feel right after the crash is common. Adrenaline masks it. Hours or days later, your neck stiffens, your back aches, and headaches set in.
Acting early gives you the best chance of a smooth recovery. Our auto accident injury treatment in Brunswick West sees crash patients every week. Here is what to do in the first 48 hours.
Chiropractor Melbourne also accepts TAC claims directly, so you can focus on recovery instead of paperwork.
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury to the neck. In a rear-end crash, your head whips forward and then backward in a split second.
Muscles, ligaments, and small joints in the cervical spine get stretched and strained. Sometimes nerves get irritated, too.
Whiplash can happen at low speeds. Even a 15 km/h impact can produce real strain. The car damage does not always match the body damage.
Most cases improve with proper care. A small group go on to have long-term symptoms if left untreated, which is why early action matters.
Crash-related headaches and migraines are also common. See our guide for chiropractor for headaches and migraines if that is your main symptom.
Step one is your safety. If you are seriously hurt, dazed, or in major pain, call 000 or get to the nearest hospital. Head, chest, and abdominal injuries need urgent medical assessment.
If your symptoms are milder, see your GP within 24 hours. Tell them you were in a crash even if you feel okay. This creates a medical record that matters for your insurance claim later.
Use gentle ice for the first day on the sorest neck or back areas. Around 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Move gently. Do not stay in bed all day.
Avoid heavy lifting, long drives, and intense exercise for the first few days. Stay hydrated and keep paracetamol on hand if it suits you.
Book a chiropractor or other allied health assessment within the first week if pain or stiffness is not settling. The earlier the assessment, the faster the recovery in most cases.
Neck symptoms can be the most stubborn after a crash. See our neck pain page for more on how we treat them.
Related reading: how long until you feel better.
Related reading: disc bulge vs herniated disc.
In Victoria, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) covers reasonable medical and rehabilitation costs for people injured in road accidents [1].
If you were hurt in a transport accident on a Victorian road, you may be able to claim chiropractic care under TAC.
The basic steps: report the accident to police if you have not already, lodge a TAC claim within 12 months, get a GP medical certificate, and start your treatment plan.
Bring your TAC claim number to your first visit. Once approved, we can bill TAC directly for eligible sessions.
If your accident was at work in a company vehicle, WorkCover may apply instead of TAC.
Read our explainer Does WorkCover Cover Chiropractic in Victoria for how that side of things works.
We start with the history. How did the accident happen, what hit what, where were you sitting, were you braced or unaware.
Then we test your neck, shoulders, mid back, and low back through gentle movements. We check reflexes, sensation, and strength if needed.
Treatment in early visits is gentle. Soft tissue work, mobilisation, and low-force techniques settle inflamed muscles and joints without aggravating them.
We give you a small home program. Heat, stretches, and posture cues for sitting and sleeping.
You should see a clear plan: how often to visit, what to expect at each stage, and when we expect you back to normal. If something looks beyond chiropractic, we refer.
Your first visit after a crash takes around 45 to 60 minutes. We take a full history, run neurological and orthopedic screens, and check spinal range of motion.
If imaging is needed, we refer for X-ray or MRI through a local bulk-billed clinic. We read the films with you and explain what each finding means for your recovery.
Care in the first two weeks focuses on calming the irritated tissue. Adjustments are gentle, sessions are short, and we work alongside your GP and any physio you already see.
We document everything from your first visit. This includes the date and details of the crash, your reported pain locations and intensity, exam findings, and our care plan.
If you have a TAC claim, this record supports the paperwork. We can send progress notes to TAC directly when needed and provide the receipts your claim manager asks for.
See your GP first to rule out serious injury, especially if you have head, chest, or major joint pain. Once that is clear, a chiropractor can assess and treat soft tissue and joint problems like whiplash and back pain. Many people see both.
Mild whiplash often settles in two to four weeks with proper care. Moderate cases can take six to twelve weeks. [SOURCE TBD] Early treatment lowers the risk of long-term symptoms, so do not wait it out hoping it will fix itself.
Yes. Headaches from a crash are often linked to neck strain. We treat the upper neck joints and muscles that drive these headaches. Most patients see a real change in the first few visits if we catch it early.
Not sure if chiropractic care is right for you? Our team at Chiropractor Melbourne can assess your condition and recommend the best path forward. We are located in Brunswick West and accept all major health funds.
Call us today to book your first appointment. We will take the time to understand your pain and explain our treatment approach before we start.
Reviewed by Dr Voula Roumel, Chiropractor — registered since 1987.
