Acute pain needs attention now.
Fast, effective treatment for sudden pain and injury — when you need relief now.
Acute pain is its own thing
Acute pain is its own thing. It's not just uncomfortable — it stops you functioning. You can't sleep properly, you can't work properly, you're counting down to your next dose of ibuprofen. Everything takes more effort than it should.
Acute pain is the body's signal that something has gone wrong — typically within the last few days or weeks. It might be a specific incident (lifting something heavy, a fall, sleeping in an awkward position, a collision on the sports field) or it may have appeared without an obvious cause. Either way, the priority is the same: reduce the pain, restore basic movement, and work out what caused it — because treating the cause from the start is what prevents the problem from becoming chronic.
Many patients find meaningful relief from their first treatment. Dr Poulton's 30+ years of managing acute presentations means she can move quickly and confidently — assessing what's going on, explaining what she's found, and delivering treatment that's calibrated to what your body can actually tolerate right now.
Acute care is usually the first phase of a broader plan. Once the pain has settled, rehabilitative care helps restore full strength and function — so the same thing doesn't come back.
Conditions treated with acute care
Dr Poulton is experienced in assessing and treating the full range of acute musculoskeletal presentations.
Neck & Back Pain
Sudden onset neck or back pain is one of the most common acute presentations. Often triggered by lifting, twisting, sleeping awkwardly or a minor accident, it can range from a dull ache to sharp, debilitating pain that stops movement entirely. Acute chiropractic care targets the spinal joints, surrounding muscles and other structures contributing to the pain — and many patients find rapid relief with appropriate early treatment.
Muscle Strains & Sprains
Strains (muscle or tendon injuries) and sprains (ligament injuries) result from sudden overload or awkward movement — a common outcome of sport, manual work or everyday activity. Accurate diagnosis of the tissue involved and the severity of the injury is essential for appropriate management. Dr Poulton assesses and treats a full range of soft tissue injuries, often incorporating laser therapy to assist with healing.
Sports Injuries
Acute trauma from sport or physical activity — whether a contact injury on the football field or a rolled ankle during a run — needs prompt, accurate assessment. Dr Poulton understands the demands of sport and the importance of appropriate early management to minimise recovery time and support a safe return to training. Both acute treatment and rehabilitation planning begin from the first visit.
Whiplash & Accident Injuries
Cervical spine injuries from motor vehicle accidents are among the most complex acute presentations. Whiplash involves sudden acceleration-deceleration forces that affect muscles, ligaments, facet joints and discs in the neck. TAC patients are welcome at Momentum. Dr Poulton has extensive experience managing whiplash presentations and understands both the clinical and administrative requirements of TAC-funded care.
Postural Strain
Cumulative stress from sustained poor positions — hours at a desk, extended driving, prolonged screen use — can build to a point of acute flare-up. What feels sudden has often been developing for months. Treating the acute pain is the first step; identifying and correcting the postural habits that contributed is the second.
Headaches
Acute headache flare-ups — whether tension-type, cervicogenic or migraines — often have a significant cervical component. Identifying neck joint and muscle involvement and treating it directly can help reduce frequency and severity for many people who've been managing their headaches with medication alone. Early treatment can be important for breaking the pain cycle.
What to expect at your first acute care visit
We understand that coming in with acute pain isn't easy — even getting to the clinic can be difficult. Dr Poulton's approach at the first visit reflects that.
A focused, efficient assessment
Dr Poulton takes a focused history of the current problem — when it started, what happened, what makes it better or worse, what you've already tried. She then performs a clinical assessment appropriate to your presentation: postural analysis, range of motion testing, palpation, and orthopaedic and neurological testing as indicated. The goal is to understand the cause, not just the location of pain.
A clear explanation before anything else
Before any treatment starts, Dr Poulton explains what she's found, what she thinks is contributing to your pain, and what she recommends. You'll understand your diagnosis and the plan before anything happens. If imaging is needed, she'll refer you for the appropriate investigation.
Treatment that's calibrated to right now
Acute care treatment typically combines gentle spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy and, where indicated, low-level laser therapy to assist with reducing inflammation and tissue healing. The approach is always calibrated to what your body can tolerate at this point — nothing aggressive, nothing that's going to make things worse.
Clear home advice and a plan
You'll leave your first appointment knowing what to do — and what to avoid — over the coming days. That might include ice or heat application, specific gentle movements, activity modifications or simple exercises. You'll also have a clear plan for follow-up and what to expect as recovery progresses.
Our Fees
Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. We have HICAPS on-site for instant private health rebates.
Full assessment, diagnosis & first treatment
All follow-up chiropractic appointments
Supervised reformer Pilates sessions
In pain now? Don't wait.
The sooner acute pain is assessed and treated, the better the outcome tends to be. Call Momentum Chiropractic — no referral needed, open 7 days.
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