Recovering from a Car Accident: Your ACC Whiplash Guide

East Auckland traffic is getting busier, and unfortunately, accidents at high-risk intersections like Ti Rakau Drive and Pakuranga Road are all too common. If you’ve been rear-ended, even at low speeds, you might not feel pain immediately. But 24 hours later, the stiffness sets in.

This is Whiplash—a strain to the soft tissues of the neck caused by a rapid back-and-forth movement.

Am I Covered by ACC? Yes. In New Zealand, if you have an accident, ACC covers a significant portion of your treatment costs.

• You don’t need a GP referral first. You can come straight to Velca Health Centre.

• We can lodge the ACC claim for you during your first visit.

Warning Signs of Whiplash:

• Neck stiffness and reduced range of motion (can't check your blind spot).

• Headaches starting at the base of the skull.

• Shoulder or upper back pain.

• Dizziness or blurred vision.

The "Wait and See" Mistake Many people wait for the pain to go away. However, untreated whiplash can lead to chronic neck pain and stiffness years down the line.

Your Recovery Plan At Velca, we combine Chiropractic care to restore joint mobility with Physiotherapy to strengthen the deep neck flexors. We can also provide Massage Therapy to reduce the protective muscle spasm that occurs after a crash.

Got a claim number or need to file one? Call us today.