Massage After a Car Accident: Whiplash, No-Fault Insurance and What to Bring
Whiplash and accident-related muscle pain often respond well to therapeutic massage. Here is how it fits into recovery, and what you need for a No-Fault case.
Car accidents on the Staten Island Expressway, Route 9 and the Garden State Parkway send a steady stream of people to both of our studios. Even a low-speed collision can leave the neck, upper back and shoulders sore and stiff for weeks. Therapeutic massage is often a useful part of recovery, once a doctor has checked you over.
See a doctor first
After any accident, get evaluated by a physician before starting massage. Some injuries, such as fractures, concussions, and disc or nerve injuries, need medical care first, and symptoms can show up a day or two later. Your doctor's evaluation also matters for an insurance claim.
What whiplash does to the muscles
In a collision, the head whips forward and back faster than the neck muscles can control. Afterward, those muscles often lock up to protect the area. That shows up as stiffness, headaches starting at the base of the skull, pain between the shoulder blades, and sometimes tingling into the arms.
Therapeutic work for accident recovery usually includes:
- Gentle work on the neck early on, building gradually as you heal
- The upper back and shoulder blades, which absorb a lot of the force
- Neuromuscular therapy for trigger points that cause headaches or refer pain into the arms
- The low back and hips if the seatbelt or impact affected them
No-Fault insurance
We accept some No-Fault insurance cases. For a No-Fault case:
- Your case must be open and active.
- You need a prescription for massage therapy from a doctor.
- Call before scheduling so we can confirm eligibility. That's (732) 617-9999 for Manalapan or (718) 605-1300 for Staten Island.
Have your claim number, the insurance company's details, and your prescription ready when you call. Details are also on the pricing and FAQ page.
What recovery looks like
Early sessions are shorter and gentler. As pain settles, the work becomes more focused on restoring range of motion and resolving the trigger points that keep symptoms going. Most people do best with regular sessions over several weeks, alongside any physical therapy or chiropractic care they're receiving.
Two locations
- New Jersey: 198 Route 9 North, Suite 100, Manalapan (studio details)
- New York: 520 Bloomingdale Road, Staten Island (studio details)
Request an appointment, or call the studio nearest you.
Common questions
Some No-Fault cases are accepted. The case must be open and active, you need a doctor’s prescription for massage therapy, and you should call before scheduling so eligibility can be confirmed.
Only after a doctor has evaluated you. Some injuries need medical care first, and symptoms can appear a day or two after the accident.
Therapeutic massage can ease the guarding muscles, headaches and upper back pain that often follow whiplash, as part of a recovery plan your doctor is aware of.
