After an Auto Accident: Is It Safe to See a Chiropractor?

Getting in a car accident is scary. There are options for immediate pain relief as well as care throughout recovery. But should you see a chiropractor after an auto accident? Chiropractic is a safe and effective form of pain relief and management of conditions and injuries that are associated with auto accident. Here are the benefits of chiropractic care following an accident.

Did you know that Americans spend, on average, more than a million days collectively in the hospital each year being treated for car accident injuries? Have you recently been injured in a car accident yourself?

Did you know that every resident in Pennsylvania with automobile insurance is protected in the event of injury sustained while in any automobile (not just your own)? This is a protection provided to us that does not affect the cost of your premium, even if you’re at fault (the rise in cost of premium following a motor vehicle accident is directly related to property damage only). Every insured PA resident has a minimum of five thousand dollars in medical coverage and chiropractic care is included in this coverage!

Please contact a trained insurance professional for more information regarding policy and procedures. 

If you're dealing with immediate or lingering injuries from your accident, working with a chiropractor following a car accident can help. Not sure what a chiropractor does or if it’s safe? Don't know if you need to see one?

If you've been on the fence about working with a chiropractor, keep reading. Listed below are some of the benefits they have to offer you, as well as some signs that they can help you start feeling better.

What Does a Chiropractor Do?

A chiropractor is a trained medical professional and they hold a doctorate degree in chiropractic that requires several years of additional schooling. Chiropractors can diagnose conditions and refer out for needed imaging and lab work. Chiropractors are trained to immediately recognize red flags following a car accident and can refer out accordingly.

Their goal is to diagnose and treat neuromuscular disorders, and they place a special emphasis on treating these disorders by using a hands-on approach to manipulating the soft tissue, increasing blood flow and mobility into the affected areas. Through gentle, low-force manual or instrument-assisted adjustments, muscle manipulation using Active Release Technique™, trigger-point release therapy, and exercise therapy, chiropractors can help to eliminate pain and improve functionality throughout the body.

Many chiropractors also focus on providing patients with the education they need to prevent future injuries and ensure they continue to progress in between appointments. This also includes nutritional advice to help support proper healing. Because of this, our doctors also are able to provide supplemental support in the form of pain relief creams, CBD oil and salve, Magnesium supplementation, and much more! If it is specifically used to treat your injuries, medical coverage through your auto insurance will cover the cost along with your chiropractic treatments.

Why See a Chiropractor Car Accident?

Chiropractors are the perfect clinician to see following a car accident! There are lots of reasons why one should see a chiropractor (preferably one who specializes in treating car accident victims) after being injured in an accident. The following are some specific benefits they have to offer:

Diagnosing

Chiropractors are doctors that can screen and diagnose for musculoskeletal injuries. This includes neck sprain, low back sprain, straightening of the spinal curves secondary to trauma, disc injuries, radiculopathy (nerve pain from spinal nerves), extremity injuries, and many more that are often associated with car accident trauma. It is essential that you are properly diagnosed and that you have a trained Doctor of Chiropractic to see you through the whole process of healing. This includes referring out to neurologist, orthopedic doctors, and primary care physicians.

At Natural health Chiropractic, P.C. we have a network of highly qualified doctors that we confidently refer out to. We also understand that at times the need for further litigation is required. Having a chiropractor experienced as we are with car accidents ensures that you will have proper documentation so that your injuries are clear and your treatment plan has been properly identified.

Reduce Pain

One of the primary reasons many people see chiropractors is for help with pain management and pain relief. If you've been struggling with neck pain, back pain, or any other type of pain after your accident, a chiropractor can help to figure out the source of the pain and take steps to correct it.

We often prescribe our car accident patients with pain relieving cream and other pain relieving agents such as CBD oil.

Reduce Inflammation

It's common for people to deal with inflammation throughout the body after being involved in a car accident. That inflammation is your body's way of protecting itself. However, if it doesn't get resolved, it can cause other long-term issues, especially osteoarthritis wear and tear arthritis).

With proper adjustments and muscle manipulation techniques, as well as other complementary therapies, chiropractors can help to minimize inflammation and get you feeling more like your old self again. Our doctors may also prescribe you turmeric for anti-inflammation therapy.

Detect Asymptomatic Injuries

Sometimes, your injuries aren't always obvious after a car accident. You might feel fine but have asymptomatic issues that could contribute to more serious problems later.

Chiropractors can order x-rays and MRI’s to pick up on these injuries and rule things out like fractures, disc injuries, and nerve entrapments. They can treat them now, while they're asymptomatic, so they don't cause you pain or discomfort in the future. They will also document all of your injuries accordingly.

Improve Range of Motion

If your joints feel stiff or achy after your accident, or if you don't feel you can move as well as you could before, a chiropractor can help. By reducing inflammation and restoring normal mobility of the spine, they can restore your range of motion to what it was previously (they might even make it better).

Make a Successful Claim

If you're planning on making an insurance claim after your accident to receive compensation for your injuries, seeing a chiropractor can help you make a stronger case for yourself.

If you have proof that you've seen a medical professional and they've diagnosed you with certain injuries, you'll have an easier time getting the compensation you deserve.

Do I Need a Chiropractor?

Those benefits sound pretty great, don't they? If you're still wondering whether you, specifically, need a chiropractor, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I have joint or muscle pain, especially in my neck or back?
• Is my range of motion limited?
• Does my upper body feel stiff or achy?
• Am I experiencing any numbness in my body?
• Have I been experiencing headaches?
• Am I hoping to file an insurance claim?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, there's a good chance a couple of sessions with a chiropractor could be in your best interests.

What to Expect from a Chiropractic Adjustment

Before your first appointment with a chiropractor, it's normal to feel nervous. Knowing what to expect from the appointment can help to put you at ease though. In general, your first time meeting with a chiropractor will go something like this:

Initial Exam

When you first arrive at the chiropractor's office, they'll perform an initial exam. This often includes sending out for x-rays, as well as talking to you about your accident, your injuries, and your symptoms and documenting them appropriately.

This initial exam gives the chiropractor a chance to diagnose you and determine the extent of your injuries before they perform any adjustments. They'll also use this time to put together the proper treatment plan for your specific needs.

Adjustment

Once they have a clear idea of what's going on, your chiropractor will perform a gentle adjustment of your spine. Chiropractic adjustments like this do not hurt. They may be a bit uncomfortable, but most people do not report feeling any pain during the process. Some people may require a more traditional, high velocity-low-amplitude adjustment, your chiropractor will talk to you about this process if deemed necessary.

In addition to an adjustment, your chiropractor will use other treatment modalities, such as deep tissue muscle work, cold laser therapy, ultrasound and/or electric muscle stim therapy, kinesiology taping and exercise therapy
to provide additional relief.

Follow-Up

It often takes several sessions with a chiropractor for people to start seeing significant results. Many people feel some relief right away, but sometimes they need to see the chiropractor on a regular basis to keep their symptoms in check.

Your chiropractor will tell you when they want to see you next, and they may give you some exercises to do at home in between appointments. They might also recommend nutritional supplements or dietary protocols to help you continue healing at a faster rate.

Visit a Chiropractor if Your Involved in a Car Accident Today

Now that you know more about what a chiropractor does after a car accident and how they can help you feel more like your old self after an accident, what do you think? Does a treatment from a chiropractor seem like a good fit for you?