Your Bike Passed Scrutineering. Did Your Neck?

You’ve crashed. Your neck took the hit.

Whiplash. A strain. Maybe something worse, like a fracture.

Now the bike’s sitting in the shed, your mates are racing, and everyone’s got an opinion.

“Rest it until it feels fine.”

“Just get back on and send it.”

Both are guessing.

Here’s where riders get caught out.

“It feels fine” and “it’s ready” are two very different things.

One thing first. If you’ve had a suspected fracture or a significant crash, riding waits for medical assessment and clearance. New numbness, tingling or weakness needs urgent medical attention.

You Go Where You Look

Look where you want to go. Every rider has heard it.

It’s not just a saying. Every line choice, every reaction, every corner starts with your head and your vision. We quite literally go where our eyes go.

And your neck is what keeps your head steady while the bike bucks underneath you.

If it can’t, your control takes a hit. Then your confidence. Then your lap times.

6 to 7kg Before You've Hit a Single Jump

Your helmet weighs around 1 to 2kg. Your head is about 5kg.

That’s roughly 6 to 7kg for your neck to hold up before you’ve hit a single jump.

Now add the impact of jumps, bumps and everything else the track throws at you.

Your neck takes a beating every ride.

After the Crash: What Your Neck Might Be Missing

After a neck injury, the muscles that stabilise it can weaken. That can mean stiffness, pain and poorer control of your head movement.

And that hits where it matters:

You steer with your eyes and head. If you can’t control where your head is, how are you meant to control where you and the bike go?
Fatigue. If your neck isn’t prepared for the demands of riding, holding your head position through a full moto gets harder.
Performance. You might be back on the bike, but not yet riding with your usual control and confidence.

Now think about how you get ready for race day.

The bike gets checked. It passes scrutineering. It’s ready to go.

Your bike passed. Can your body?

Riders Are Tough. That's the Problem.

Too many riders go back on feel alone.

Riders push through. It’s what you do. But good pain tolerance can hide a strength deficit. You can feel good, get through a lap or two, and still have a neck that isn’t strong enough yet.

“Feels fine” is a start. It isn’t a test.

Feel Can Fool You. Numbers Keep Us Honest.

At Fighting Fit, we use VALD strength testing to measure neck and shoulder strength. We compare side to side, compare against normative data, and track your progress over time.

Those results help us spot strength deficits and track progress. But numbers are only one piece of the puzzle. We also look at your symptoms, movement, function and medical clearance where it’s needed.

Less guessing. Better-informed rehab.

The gear doesn’t do the rehab for you. You still do the work.

Rebuild First. Ride Second.

After any neck injury, whether it’s whiplash, a strain or a fracture, recovery starts with restoring range of motion, strength, control and function.

Then we build from there.

A strong, stable neck isn’t only about preventing the next injury. It’s about performance.

If you’ve had a neck fracture or a significant crash, medical assessment and clearance come first. Rehab gets built around that.

Who Needs to Listen Up?

Riders coming back from whiplash, a neck strain or a neck fracture
Riders with neck pain or stiffness on the bike
Riders whose neck fatigues when they ride
Anyone who’s been riding on “feel” since the crash

The Bottom Line

The bike’s been checked.

Time to check the rider.

Get it measured. Rebuild the strength. Then ride.

Ready to Ride Again?

If you’ve had a neck injury, or you’re dealing with pain, stiffness or fatigue on the bike, the Fighting Fit team can help you rebuild your control and your confidence.

It’s not a quick fix, but the journey has a map.

👉 Book in and let’s get your neck strong, stable and ready for the bike.

Because when your neck’s solid, your riding has something to build on.

Sam Pelz

Sam graduated from Griffith University in 2024 with a bachelor of Physiotherapy. With a long background in sport, including over 20 years of racing motocross. Suffering multiple injuries throughout this time drove him to become a physiotherapist so he could help others through their own injuries.

Special interests:
Motocross related injuries
Running related injuries
Shoulder pain
Low back pain
Neck pain
Tendinopathies

Brenda Samosa

2 years ago

I had a really bad shoulder and had been seeing a different physio for 3 months (from a different place) I got told Tyson was good. After just a few sessions the movement was coming back. I’m 66 and was worried I would have to stop surfing. But with a lot of help from Tyson I’m back in the waves ( thank you so so much)

Cyana Ferguson

2 years ago

Steve Harris

2 years ago

Great team, all friendly, super helpful and first class clinical advice and a big shout out to my Physio Noah with my shoulder issue

Andrea Bell

2 years ago

These guys are the best in the biz 🎉

Ryan Brockett

2 years ago

Shout out to Max from fighting fit physio. He helped me out massively straight after shoulder surgery and back into work and sports in no time. Couldn’t recommend anyone better!

Scotty

2 years ago

Five star service from Max & the team! Professional & very thorough, you know that patient outcomes are of the highest priority. I highly recommend this business.

Riley Wilson

2 years ago

Be AWARE they’ll immediately try to commit you to multiple follow up sessions after your initial consultation. This happened to me and then I later found out that as it just so happens, they have a cancellation policy that says you have to pay 100% of the consultation fee for cancelling. They failed to tell me this when they were pushy in committing me to 6 sessions after my consult, so that was a really nice little surprise. I was already uncomfortable with how pushy they were in having me commit to so many sessions, so when I heard about the policy I just cancelled all together. So, I can’t speak further to the quality of their service throughout therapy phase. FYI this was also a few months ago now, it’s possible (though unlikely) they may have changed the policy. Just ask the question.

Megan Shelley

3 years ago

Fighting Fit Physiotherapy is hands down the best physio I've encountered. Having tried multiple physios for various injuries, I always find myself coming back to them. Their expertise consistently exceeds expectations, helping me get back to my sport faster than I thought possible. Their personalized approach and attention to detail make all the difference. I could not recommend a better or more exceptional physio team!

Gina Matthews

4 years ago

Can't recommend this place high enough. I was in so much pain with my knee an had been for months through advise an exercises I'm now looking forward to returning to gym an back riding my horses in endurance thank you so much

Courtney Halse

4 years ago

Kyle was knowledgeable, personable and professional. He saw me through my second pregnancy and continued to work with me until 6 months post partum on issues with my back. Would recommend anyone to go and see him. Also shout out to Georgia on the front desk. She makes you feel welcome and brings a sense of warmth to the place!

Alli Davenport

4 years ago

After hip replacement surgery in February I wanted toget back into weight training legs, I started with Mitch 18 weeks ago and after a lot of hard work and sweat I am able to safely train again, I cannot thank Mitch enough for his support,encouragement and knowledge. The staff are friendly and helpful and I always looked forward to my session's

Robert Parkinson

4 years ago

This is the second time I have been treated by the team at FFP. As a health professional myself I have been impressed with the level of care I have received from all members of the team. The personalised treatment and rehabilitation programs have produced excellent results and I have completed both programs pain free and feeling stronger than before my injuries. During the program there was constant communication and follow up and they were very accommodating with my work schedule. All in all it was a very holistic experience and I would highly recommend the service.

Kiri Canavan

4 years ago

Tyson was amazing! We came up with an 8 week plan at my first consultation with weekly check ins and updates to exercises. 8 weeks later, I am pain free and able to train harder than ever. Highly recommend and the staff are all fantastic and super accomodating!

You Go Where You Look

6 to 7kg Before You've Hit a Single Jump

After the Crash: What Your Neck Might Be Missing

Riders Are Tough. That's the Problem.

Feel Can Fool You. Numbers Keep Us Honest.

Rebuild First. Ride Second.

Who Needs to Listen Up?

The Bottom Line

Ready to Ride Again?

Adductor Pain in Athletes: Causes, Symptoms, and How Physiotherapy Can Help

Lower Back Pain: What Causes It, How Long It Lasts and What Actually Helps

Why Motocross Riders Still Experience Shoulder Pain After Injury: The Mechanics Behind It

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call 0402 938 661

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