Do I need to see a doctor before coming to TOP Chiropractic Acupuncture after an accident?

No. You can come directly to us after an accident without a GP referral. We will assess your injuries at the first appointment and begin treatment the same day. However, we do recommend seeing your GP early in your recovery as they will document your injuries and provide medical certificates if needed.

Is chiropractic treatment safe after a car accident? Will there be any cracking or forceful manipulation?

In the acute phase after a motor vehicle accident, high-velocity spinal manipulation is not appropriate and is not what we use. We use gentle joint mobilisation, therapeutic traction, acupuncture, and cupping to ensure comfortable and safe treatment.

My pain started a few days after the accident, not immediately. Is that normal?

Yes, this is very common—particularly for whiplash and soft tissue injuries. Immediately after an accident, adrenaline masks pain signals. As these settle over 24 to 72 hours, underlying soft tissue damage becomes apparent.

What injuries can you treat after a motor vehicle accident?

We treat whiplash (WAD Grades I to IV), cervicogenic headaches, lower back pain, disc injuries, thoracic and rib pain, shoulder injuries, arm pain/tingling, and post-concussive symptoms alongside your GP or neurologist.

I have not lodged a CTP claim yet. Can I still come in for treatment?

Yes. Come in immediately. We will assess your injuries and begin treatment at your first appointment. You do not need to wait for a claim number to be active before starting recovery.

I was partly at fault for the accident. Can I still get treatment?

Yes. Under the Motor Accidents Injuries Act 2017 in NSW, treatment and care benefits are available to all injured people regardless of fault for at least the first 26 weeks after the accident.

I have whiplash. How long does it take to recover?

Recovery depends on severity. Grade I injuries typically resolve within weeks, while Grade II whiplash often resolves in 2 to 3 months with conservative care. Early active treatment produces significantly better long-term outcomes.

WorkCover and Workers Compensation Treatment – TOP Chiropractic Acupuncture

Q: Will I have to pay for treatment out of pocket?

For treatment covered under your CTP claim, you generally do not pay out of pocket. We bill the insurer directly for reasonable and necessary treatment once approved.

At TOP Chiropractic Acupuncture in West Ryde, we help patients recover from work place injuries — and we make the claims process as simple as possible.

You do not need to pay out of pocket for treatment for work place injuries in NSW. Workers compensation covers reasonable and necessary treatment for injuries sustained in the work place. We can help you understand what you are entitled to and how to access it.

The NSW Workers Compensation Claims Process — Step by Step

All treatments are tailored to your condition and what is clinically appropriate.

WorkCover and Workers Compensation Treatment West Ryde

TOP Chiropractic Acupuncture · West Ryde · Chiropractic, Acupuncture and Rehabilitation

A workplace injury can happen suddenly or develop gradually over time. Whether you have injured your back lifting at work, developed neck and shoulder pain from prolonged computer use, or suffered a fall or impact on site, you may be entitled to treatment under NSW workers compensation (WorkCover/icare).

At TOP Chiropractic Acupuncture in West Ryde, we treat patients under the NSW workers compensation system. We assess your injury, provide appropriate conservative treatment and communicate with your employer’s insurer so you can focus on recovering and returning to work.

Workers compensation in NSW covers the cost of reasonable and necessary treatment for work-related injuries. As a registered treating practitioner, we can bill the insurer directly once your claim is active. You do not need to pay out of pocket for covered treatment.

The NSW Workers Compensation Claims Process — Step by Step

Workers compensation in NSW is managed through icare (Insurance & Care NSW). Here is how to access treatment:

1	Report the injury to your employer Report your workplace injury to your supervisor or employer as soon as possible. This is required for a workers compensation claim to be lodged. Your employer is legally obligated to accept and record the report.
2	See your GP for a Certificate of Capacity Visit your GP as soon as possible. Your GP will assess the injury and issue a Certificate of Capacity (formerly the WorkCover Medical Certificate). This certificate states the nature of your injury, your capacity for work, and authorises treatment. You must bring this certificate to every treating practitioner appointment.
3	Your employer lodges the claim Your employer notifies their workers compensation insurer. The insurer issues a claim number. Ask your employer for the insurer’s name, the claim number and the insurer contact details. Bring these to your appointment.
4	Come to TOP Chiropractic Acupuncture Book your appointment with us. Bring your Certificate of Capacity, claim number and insurer details. We assess your injury, begin treatment and bill the insurer directly for covered sessions.
5	Attend GP reviews regularly Your GP will review your Certificate of Capacity periodically — usually every 1 to 4 weeks in the early stages. Each updated certificate must be provided to us and to your employer. Keep your GP informed of your progress in treatment.
6	Progress reports We provide progress reports to the insurer as required. If your condition is improving and your capacity for work is increasing, this is reflected in the reports. The goal is a safe, structured return to work at the appropriate time.

If you have not yet seen your GP, come in for your first appointment as a private patient. We will assess the injury, begin treatment, and provide you with a clinical summary to take to your GP. Your GP can then issue the Certificate of Capacity and the workers compensation claim can be activated from your second visit onward.

Injuries & Conditions We Treat Under WorkCover Claims

Lower Back Injury & Disc Strain: Back pain from lifting, bending, prolonged sitting, or sudden movement. Managed with gentle mobilisation, traction, acupuncture, and a graduated return-to-work exercise programme tailored to your job’s demands.
Neck & Shoulder Pain: Pain resulting from sustained postures, repetitive movements, or physical impacts. Managed using gentle cervical and thoracic mobilisation, acupuncture, cupping, and scapular stability rehabilitation.
Rotator Cuff & Shoulder Injury: Pain during overhead activities, accompanied by weakness or restricted range of motion. Assessed for tendinopathy or rotator cuff involvement, using acupuncture, soft tissue release, and progressive loading protocols.
Repetitive Strain & Overuse Injuries: Work-related tendinopathy of the elbow (tennis/golfer’s elbow), wrist, and shoulder from repetitive occupational demands. Includes shockwave therapy for chronic tendinopathy and progressive loading protocols.
Postural & Ergonomic Injuries: Gradual-onset neck, upper back, and lower back discomfort caused by workstation setups or sustained postures. Addressed via ergonomic assessments, mobilisation, acupuncture, and postural retraining exercises.
Traumatic Injuries from Falls or Impact: Contusions, joint sprains, and soft tissue injuries from workplace accidents. Managed conservatively with joint mobilisation, acupuncture, cupping, and graduated physical rehabilitation once structural damage is ruled out.

What to Bring to Your First Appointment

WHAT TO BRING	DETAIL
Certificate of Capacity	Issued by your GP. This is essential — we cannot bill the insurer without a valid Certificate of Capacity. If you have not yet seen your GP, you can attend as a private patient for the first session and obtain the certificate before the next appointment.
Claim number	Issued by the workers compensation insurer once your employer has lodged the claim. If the claim has not yet been lodged, let us know and we can discuss your options for the first session.
Insurer details	The name of your employer’s workers compensation insurer and their contact details. Your employer or HR department can provide this.
Details of the injury	When it happened, how it happened, what body part is affected and what your current symptoms are. This is also documented on your Certificate of Capacity.
Any imaging already done	X-rays, CT or MRI scans from your GP or hospital following the injury.
Your job description	Particularly the physical demands of your role — lifting limits, sustained postures, repetitive tasks. This allows us to calibrate your return-to-work rehabilitation programme accurately.

Our Approach for WorkCover Patients

Workplace injuries are often physically and emotionally stressful. There is uncertainty about how long recovery will take, whether the job will be held, and how the employer and insurer will respond. Our role is straightforward: assess the injury accurately, provide appropriate conservative treatment, and support a safe and progressive return to work at the right pace.

We do not rush patients back to work before they are ready. We do not over-service beyond what is clinically indicated. Our treatment notes and progress reports are factual, clinical and transparent. The goal is your recovery and your return to full function — not the perpetuation of a claim.

Our treatment approach for workplace injuries uses gentle joint mobilisation, therapeutic traction, acupuncture, cupping, soft tissue release and a progressive rehabilitation programme. For most spinal injuries, no high-velocity manipulation is used in the acute phase. Treatment is calibrated to your injury, your recovery stage and the specific demands of your job.

When Should You Come In?

You have a workplace injury and a Certificate of Capacity from your GP

You have injured your back, neck, shoulder or upper limb at work

You have developed gradual onset pain from repetitive tasks or sustained posture at work

Your workers compensation claim is active and you need a treating practitioner

You have not yet seen your GP — come in first and we will guide you through the next steps

You want a clear, structured rehabilitation plan for safe return to work

Ready To Start Your Recovery?

Book your chiropractic appointment with Dr Don Kim and take the first step towards improving your movement and wellbeing.

Have a Question About Your Treatment Options?

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Frequently Asked Questions About Us

Can I see a chiropractor for a WorkCover injury?

Yes. Chiropractic care is a covered treatment under NSW workers compensation. If you have an accepted claim — or a claim in progress — you can receive chiropractic treatment at our clinic with no out-of-pocket costs.

Can I receive acupuncture for a work injury?

Yes. Acupuncture is also covered under NSW workers compensation. At Top Chiropractic Acupuncture, we treat work-related musculoskeletal injuries using a combination of chiropractic adjustment and acupuncture, depending on your condition.

What injuries can be treated?

Common work-related injuries we treat include:

Lower back and lumbar spine injuries
Neck and cervical spine injuries from sustained postures or sudden force
Shoulder, arm and wrist injuries (including repetitive strain)
Headaches arising from a workplace injury
Hip and knee injuries

If you’re unsure whether your injury is appropriate for chiropractic or acupuncture care, call us and we’ll advise you honestly.

Do I need referral?

No referral is needed to see a chiropractor. However, you will need a Certificate of Capacity from your GP before your first appointment. This certificate initiates your workers compensation claim and authorises treatment. If you don’t have a GP, we can point you in the right direction.

What do I need to bring to my first appointment?

Please bring:

Your Certificate of Capacity (from your GP)
Your claim number (provided by your employer or their insurer)
The name of your insurer or insurance case manager
Any relevant imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT scans)

Will I have to pay for treatment out of pocket?

For accepted WorkCover claims, the cost of treatment is billed directly to your insurer. You pay nothing out of pocket for covered services. If any aspect of your treatment falls outside the scope of your claim, we will let you know in advance.

What if I'm a sole trader or self-employed?

Sole traders and self-employed workers are generally not covered under the standard NSW workers compensation scheme unless they have taken out a personal injury policy. If you’re unsure of your coverage, speak with your insurer or a workers compensation lawyer. We’re happy to treat you as a private patient in the meantime.