After a car accident: whiplash, back pain and TAC-funded care
Even a low-speed car accident can leave you sore for days or weeks. With the M1 and Princes Highway running through Berwick, Officer and Pakenham, we regularly see people after rear-end and side-impact collisions. Here's what to expect and what to do.
What should I do straight after a car accident?
Get checked by a doctor first if you have severe neck or back pain, a head knock, a severe or worsening headache, confusion, memory loss, vomiting, dizziness, numbness, tingling or weakness in your arms or legs, chest or abdominal pain, or difficulty breathing. Call 000 if symptoms are severe. Pain often gets worse over the first 24 to 48 hours after a collision, so see your GP if new symptoms appear in the following days. Your GP can also document your injuries, which matters if you make a claim.
What injuries are common after a car accident?
Whiplash, a strain of the neck from a rapid back-and-forth movement, is the most common. It can cause neck pain and stiffness, headaches, shoulder and upper back pain, dizziness and jaw pain. Lower and mid-back strains are also common, as are seatbelt-related chest and shoulder bruising, and knee or wrist injuries from bracing against the dashboard, pedals or steering wheel.
How long does it take to recover after a car accident?
Many people improve substantially over the first few weeks to three months. Recovery varies, though: a major review found that about half of people with whiplash still reported some neck pain a year after their injury. Greater initial pain and disability predicted slower recovery, as did factors such as low mood, fear of movement and relying on passive coping, while details of the collision itself generally weren't predictive (Carroll et al., Spine, 2008). That's why staying active and getting good early advice matters.
What helps recovery after a car accident?
Keep gently moving and carry on with normal daily activities as much as you can; collars and prolonged rest aren't recommended for ordinary whiplash. Use heat and simple pain relief as needed. Return to work and driving gradually, driving only when you can turn your head enough to check your blind spots. Graded exercise for the neck, shoulders and back, and hands-on treatment to ease pain and stiffness, help most people get moving again.
Does the TAC cover osteopathy?
Yes. In Victoria, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) can pay for reasonable treatment for injuries from a transport accident, whether you were a driver, passenger, cyclist or pedestrian, and osteopathy is included. You'll need to lodge a claim with the TAC and receive a claim number. Bring it to your appointment, along with any letters or reports. If your claim is still being processed, let us know when you book and we'll talk through the options.
Our post on WorkCover and TAC claims explains the process, and our funding page covers other ways to pay.
Do I need a scan after a car accident?
Not always. Doctors use established criteria to decide whether an X-ray or CT is needed, based on the type of accident, your age and your symptoms. For most whiplash-type injuries without warning signs, scans don't change treatment. If we find anything on examination that needs imaging or a medical review, we'll refer you.
Can back pain start days after a car accident?
Yes. It's common for pain and stiffness to appear or build over the first one to three days as muscles tighten and inflammation develops. Delayed soreness on its own isn't usually a sign of serious injury, but new numbness, weakness, severe headache or dizziness should be checked by a doctor.
How soon should I get treatment after a car accident?
Once any serious injury has been ruled out, an assessment in the first week or two is helpful. Early advice on moving, working and driving, along with gentle treatment and exercise, helps set recovery on the right path. You don't need to wait for your TAC claim to be finalised before booking, but let us know where the claim is up to.
How can an osteopath help after a car accident?
We take a full history of the accident and your symptoms, examine your neck, back and nervous system, and check for anything that needs medical attention. Treatment combines gentle hands-on techniques, advice on activity, work and driving, and a graded exercise program. For TAC claims, we handle the reporting the scheme requires and communicate with your GP.
Why do I feel anxious or shaken after the accident?
It's common to feel shaken, sleep poorly or feel nervous about driving after a collision. These reactions usually settle, but they can also slow physical recovery. If anxiety, low mood or poor sleep are persisting, talk to your GP, as support for this side of recovery is available and worthwhile.
See our posts on whiplash recovery and our neck pain treatment in Berwick page. Book an assessment at our Berwick clinic. A 60-minute initial consultation is $149, with no referral needed and HICAPS on-site.
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Book an initial consultation at RISE Sports & Spinal in Berwick. Clear diagnosis, hands-on treatment, and a plan that actually gets you better.
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