Last updated October 2026
If you hurt your back lifting a bale, tweak your neck at the gym or come off your bike on Caroline Bay, you may be able to see a chiropractor with help from ACC. Many people in Timaru do not realise they can go straight to a chiropractor without seeing a GP first.
★View the Best Chiropractors in Timaru→Here is how ACC works with chiropractic care, what is and is not covered, and what to expect at your first appointment.
Are chiropractors covered by ACC?
Yes, if your injury was caused by an accident. ACC contributes towards the cost of chiropractic treatment when it is delivered by a chiropractor who is registered with the Chiropractic Board and is an ACC provider.
Not every chiropractor is set up as an ACC provider, so ask when you book or check the clinic’s website.
What ACC covers, and what it does not
ACC is a no-fault scheme. It covers everyone in New Zealand who is injured in an accident, including visitors, whatever the circumstances.
- A sprain or strain from a fall, lift or awkward movement
- Pain that came on gradually with no accident
- Sports and gym injuries
- Conditions linked to ageing
- Injuries from a car, bike or workplace accident
- Illness
- Injuries at home, such as slipping on wet steps
- General wellness or maintenance care
The key question is whether there was a specific accident or event. When you see your chiropractor, be ready to explain what you were doing, when it happened and how it felt at the time.
ACC’s own page on what ACC covers sets out the details.
Do you need a GP referral?
No. You can go straight to an ACC registered chiropractor after an injury. ACC lets people self-refer to lodge a claim and start treatment, and a GP or another health provider can also refer you if you have already seen them.
How the claim is lodged
You do not fill in a claim yourself. The treatment provider does it for you.
1. Book with an ACC registered chiropractor and mention it is for an accident injury. 2. At your appointment, the chiropractor asks about the accident, assesses the injury and lodges the claim with ACC on your behalf. 3. ACC decides on cover. You will usually get a text if your claim is covered, and ACC may also send a letter, usually within a week. 4. Treatment continues under your claim, with your chiropractor keeping ACC updated as needed.
ACC explains the steps on its what to do if you are injured page.
What happens at your first appointment
Your first visit for an ACC injury looks much like any other first chiropractic appointment, with a little extra paperwork.
- Your history. The chiropractor asks about the accident, your symptoms since, and your general health.
- An assessment. This usually includes checking how you move, plus orthopaedic and neurological tests where they are relevant.
- A plan. You talk through what the chiropractor found, what care they suggest and roughly how many visits to expect.
- Other care if needed. If your injury needs imaging, a GP visit or another kind of treatment, a good chiropractor will tell you and help you take the next step.
What you will pay
ACC pays part of the cost of each appointment, and the clinic may ask you to pay the rest as a co-payment. The amount ACC pays is set by regulation, while the co-payment is up to each clinic, so it varies. Ask about the co-payment when you book so there are no surprises.
If your injury is not covered, or you are seeing a chiropractor for something that is not an accident, you will pay the clinic’s standard fees. Some health insurance policies, such as Southern Cross, may contribute depending on your cover, so check your policy.
Tips for a smooth ACC claim
- Book soon after the injury. It is easier to describe what happened while it is fresh.
- Bring your details. Your NHI number if you know it, the date of the accident and where it happened.
- Be specific. “I slipped on the wet deck and landed on my hip” is more useful than “my back is sore”.
- Keep your claim number. You will need it if you see other providers for the same injury.
- Check registration. You can look up any chiropractor on the Chiropractic Board register.
Where Lough St Chiropractic fits
Lough St Chiropractic is a clinic on Lough Street in West End, Timaru, run by Dr Michelle Behr, a registered chiropractor with nearly ten years of experience. The clinic is ACC registered, and if you have been injured in an accident Michelle can report it to ACC for you at your appointment. Her ACC page explains how assessment and care plans work under a claim.
The clinic is also Southern Cross affiliated. You can get in touch by email, book online or call 03 661 4310.
