You’re driving down the road without a care in the world when suddenly, another vehicle hits you out of nowhere. Your body is thrust forward and then sharply back, and an intense pain shoots through your neck. The accident wasn’t your fault, but now you’re left dealing with the aftermath. Seeing a chiropractor should be one of your first calls after a car accident.
Chiropractors are specialists who focus on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. They are experts in spinal manipulation and can help relieve the pain in your neck and back. Without proper treatment from a chiropractor, you may experience long-term issues like reduced mobility, chronic pain, and muscle spasms. An Austin Car Accident Lawyer can help you understand how this may impact your case.
Don’t delay in seeking chiropractic care after an auto accident. Schedule an appointment as soon as possible for an exam and adjustment. The sooner your spine and surrounding tissues can be realigned, the sooner you’ll be on the road to recovery. While it may take time, with regular visits to a chiropractor, the pain will subside and you can get back to your normal activities.
Why See a Chiropractor After an Auto Accident?
Seeing a chiropractor after an auto accident is highly recommended for several reasons:
- Chiropractic care can help correct alignment issues from the impact. The force of a collision can misalign the spine and surrounding tissues. A chiropractor is trained to properly diagnose and treat these alignment issues through manual manipulation and adjustment of the spine.
- Chiropractic treatment relieves pain. The misalignment of joints and muscles often leads to pain, stiffness, and discomfort. Chiropractic adjustments and therapies can help reduce inflammation in the tissues, relieving pressure on nerves and easing pain.
- Chiropractic improves range of motion. When the spine is misaligned, mobility and flexibility are compromised. Chiropractic adjustments restore the spine to its proper position, allowing for normal movement and range of motion.
- Chiropractic may help avoid long-term effects. Without treatment, the injuries from a car accident may lead to chronic pain or permanent damage. Chiropractic care, especially when obtained promptly after an accident, can help minimize the risk of lasting issues. Early treatment may also speed the healing process.
In summary, chiropractic treatment should be a key part of your recovery plan after a motor vehicle collision. Chiropractors are experts at diagnosing and treating accident-related injuries. Their non-invasive approach can help you heal faster and avoid chronic problems down the road. Seeking chiropractic care promptly after an auto accident is one of the best steps you can take for your long term health and well-being.
Common Chiropractic Treatments for Car Accident Injuries
After experiencing injuries from a car accident, a chiropractor can help provide relief and facilitate the healing process. Chiropractic treatments for car accident victims commonly include:
•Spinal manipulation or adjustments: Carefully applying pressure to the spine and joints to correct alignment and improve mobility. This can help reduce pain, muscle spasms, and nerve irritation.
•Soft tissue therapy: Massaging muscles and connective tissue to relieve tension, spasms, and scar tissue formation. This includes trigger point therapy applying pressure to painful muscle knots.
•Therapeutic exercises: Targeted stretches and exercises to improve range of motion, strength, and stability. These help rehabilitate the spine and supporting muscles. The chiropractor will demonstrate specific exercises to practice at home between visits.
•Traction: Gently stretching the spine to relieve pressure on vertebrae, disks, and nerve roots. This can help reduce inflammation in the neck or lower back.
•Braces or supports: Providing extra support and stability for the spine during activity or recovery. These may include cervical collars, lumbar braces, or orthotics.
•Heat/ice therapy: Applying heat to relax tense muscles or ice to reduce inflammation. This therapy, along with electrical muscle stimulation, is often used in combination with spinal adjustments and soft tissue work.
With a customized treatment plan including multiple therapies, chiropractic care can be very effective for alleviating pain, improving mobility, and speeding the recovery process after a motor vehicle accident. However, for severe trauma injuries, chiropractic treatment may need to be delayed until the acute phase has stabilized to avoid further injury. In these cases, co-management with a medical doctor is recommended.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help Whiplash
Chiropractic care should be an essential part of your treatment plan after a car accident resulting in whiplash. Chiropractors are trained to properly diagnose and treat injuries of the musculoskeletal system, including those caused by whiplash.
Adjustments and Manipulations
Chiropractors use controlled pressure applied to specific joints and the spine to restore mobility and relieve pressure on surrounding tissues. These manipulations and adjustments can help improve range of motion in the neck and correct alignment issues caused by whiplash.
Pain Management
In addition to realigning the spine and neck, chiropractic care helps reduce inflammation in the affected area. This can significantly decrease pain from muscle strains, tension headaches, and nerve impingement. Your chiropractor may also recommend ice/heat therapy, massage, and over-the-counter pain medication to provide further relief from discomfort.
Rehabilitation Exercises
An important part of recovery includes rebuilding strength and stability in the neck and upper back. Your chiropractor can instruct you on targeted exercises to improve flexibility and range of motion. These rehabilitation exercises, combined with regular adjustments, help prevent chronic pain and future injury.
With the right course of treatment, chiropractic care offers a non-invasive, holistic approach to alleviating whiplash pain and restoring normal function. Seeking chiropractic treatment soon after your accident gives you the best chance of a quick and full recovery. An experienced chiropractor can get you back to your daily activities and enjoying life with minimal disruption or long-term issues.
Chiropractic Benefits for Back Pain From a Car Crash
Chiropractic treatment after a car accident can provide several benefits for back pain and related injuries. Seeking chiropractic care soon after an accident is recommended to diagnose any underlying conditions and start corrective treatment.
Diagnosis of Back Injuries
A chiropractor can examine your back and spine to determine the cause of pain and limited mobility. They can detect muscle strains, disk injuries, fractures, and misalignments of the vertebrae. Early diagnosis of these issues is key to developing an effective treatment plan and avoiding long-term problems.
Non-invasive Treatment
Chiropractic care focuses on manual adjustments and manipulations to relieve pressure on nerves, restore alignment, and improve mobility. These techniques are non-invasive alternatives to surgery. Chiropractors use hands-on adjustments along with massage therapy, and recommend specific exercises or stretches to aid recovery between visits.
Pain Relief
Chiropractic adjustments can help relieve back pain from injuries sustained in a car accident. The goal is to restore proper motion and alignment in the spine to reduce inflammation and ease pain. Many people experience decreased pain and improved mobility shortly after beginning chiropractic treatment.
Improved Range of Motion
When back injuries from a car accident limit your range of motion, chiropractic care can help increase flexibility and mobility. Gentle adjustments and targeted exercises work to loosen tight muscles and joints, allowing for greater ease of movement. Improved range of motion leads to increased daily function and quality of life.
In summary, chiropractic treatment offers diagnosis and non-invasive care for back injuries from auto accidents. Through manual adjustments, massage, and exercise, chiropractors relieve pain, improve mobility, and restore function. By addressing conditions early, long-term issues can often be avoided. Seeking chiropractic care soon after an accident is highly recommended for back health and recovery.
Does Insurance Cover Chiropractic Care After an Accident?
In most cases, chiropractic treatment after a car accident should be covered under your auto insurance policy. As part of your personal injury protection (PIP) or medpay coverage, chiropractic care is considered a medical expense related to injuries sustained in the accident.
Coverage Limits
The amount your insurance will cover depends on the limits of your PIP or medpay coverage. Policies typically provide between $1,000 to $10,000 in coverage for medical expenses, which should include chiropractic treatment. If your bills exceed this amount, you will be responsible for any remaining costs out-of-pocket. Some health insurance plans may also help supplement additional expenses. Check with your providers to determine your exact coverage.
Getting Approval
To get chiropractic treatment approved, you will need to file a claim with your auto insurance company. Provide details about the accident and injuries, including a diagnosis and recommended course of treatment from your chiropractor. The insurance company may require additional information to verify the claim before approving and paying for initial and ongoing treatment sessions.
Challenging a Denial
If your insurance company denies your claim for chiropractic care, you have the right to challenge the decision. Discuss the reasons for denial with your chiropractor and insurance agent. You may need to provide supplementary evidence demonstrating the medical necessity of treatment, such as an examination report, MRI or X-ray results. You can also file an appeal with your insurance company to formally request a review of your claim. If denied again, consulting with a personal injury attorney regarding your legal options may be advisable.
While recovering from injuries after a car accident, chiropractic treatment can be an important part of the healing process. Understanding your insurance coverage and taking the necessary steps to get approval for care will help ensure you get the treatment you need with minimal financial burden. If faced with denials or limitations in coverage, remain persistent in advocating for your right to medically necessary care.
Fletcher Law Can Help With Your Car Accident Case
If you have been in a car accident, you may need chiropractic treatment to recover from injuries. Chiropractors are healthcare professionals focused on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. They are trained to diagnose and treat injuries and conditions related to the spine, neck, and joints.
Why See a Chiropractor After a Car Accident?
After a collision, your body experiences trauma that can cause damage to soft tissues like muscles, tendons, and ligaments, as well as the spine and neck. A chiropractor can help diagnose and treat injuries such as:
- Whiplash: Sudden movement of the head and neck in a car accident can lead to neck strain and injury. Chiropractic adjustments and physical therapy can help reduce pain and increase range of motion.
- Back pain: The force of impact in a crash may cause muscle spasms, fractures, or disk injuries in the back. Spinal manipulation and massage therapy can relieve back pain.
- Nerve damage: Accidents can compress or pinch spinal nerves, causing pain, numbness, and weakness. Chiropractic care aims to restore proper alignment and take pressure off the nerves.
How Fletcher Law Can Help
If you were injured in an auto accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Fletcher Law have experience helping victims of car crashes get the money they deserve from insurance companies. We can handle your claim and negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf so you can focus on your recovery. Call today for a free case review.