In 2019 in the United States, about 38,800 people were killed in a motor vehicle collision. In 2020, there was an increase in accidents even though more and more people were staying home.
If you’ve been in a collision then you might wonder if you should see a chiropractor after effect of car accident. This article will take a look at this question. Read on to explore the answer to this question and get the help and care you need today.
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Are You in Pain?
Going to a chiropractor after a car accident is an especially good idea if you’re experiencing pain. If you’re experiencing life-threatening or severe injuries then you’ll first want to go to the emergency room.
Even if you have no pain, a chiropractor can help out. You might not notice any pain until months or weeks later and personal injury chiropractors can help. If you don’t go to a chiropractor then you might not receive insurance coverage for your injuries later on.
Even if you’re cleared by the hospital, you’ll want to see a specialist who has plenty of experience with car accident injuries. A chiropractor can find hidden injuries as well.
1. Instant Relief
Whether you’re experiencing a stiff neck, back pain, or another injury, chiropractic care can offer you instant relief. These injuries are often due to the amount of strain and pressure placed on your body. Through different treatments, regular adjustments, heat, and ice you can feel like yourself in no time.
2. Injuries Can Be Serious
Even if you have a minor car accident, it can lead to serious injuries. Even accidents at low speeds can cause damage to the ligaments, muscles, bones, or tendons. These accidents can lead to misalignment as well.
3. Important for Insurance
Having documentation immediately is important for insurance claims. This is in order to avoid your insurance stating that your injuries aren’t related to the accident.
4. No Medication Necessary
After an accident, many people are turning to medication to treat their symptoms. Personal injury chiropractors can take a look and help you heal without the need for medication. This will allow you to heal naturally without depending on the medication.
Extensive Damage
If you leave even minor injuries untreated, it can lead to chronic arthritis. This is because a vehicle might not absorb the full shock of the crash.
When you’re in the vehicle, your body might jerk due to the collision. Even in accidents with no injuries, whiplash can occur.
What Does a Chiropractor Do?
Chiropractors use alternative treatment and care as an alternative to surgery or medication. They believe that once the body is aligned properly then the body can heal. Chiropractors use manipulation in order to help mobility to joints.
First, a chiropractor will perform a physical examination. They might also use diagnostic imaging or lab tests to help diagnose what’s going on.
They might also include exercise or nutritional tips in your treatment plan. The goal is in order to help you prevent further injuries and treat current ones.
What Chiropractors Help
Chiropractors can have different specialties such as car accident injuries. Whether you’re experiencing carpal tunnel, neck, or back pain, a chiropractor might be able to help.
Neck pain is a common problem in the musculoskeletal system. It can also be due to other parts of the body through the nerve fibers.
Some common reasons to see a chiropractor include:
- Neck pain after a car accident
- Stiffness
- Worrying about the cause of neck pain
- Using over-the-counter medication
- Pain traveling to your wrists or hands
Your doctor might use the flexion-distraction technique. This is where they’ll use cervical manipulation on the intervertebral disc.
Pinched Nerve
A pinched nerve is when there’s excessive pressure placed on one nerve. Your discs, muscles, or bones might cause increased pressure. Damage to nerves might increase over time so it’s best to not ignore them.
Whiplash
After a car accident, whiplash injuries are common, even for less serious accidents. Whiplash is a harder condition to treat.
Different signs of whiplash can include:
- Tinnitus
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Vertigo
- TMJ
- Trouble with concentration
When you head to the chiropractor, they’ll check your entire spine. They’ll take a look to see if other areas of your body are affected.
They might use motion or static palpation. This will let them check for any tenderness or tightness around your body.
How To Pick Out a Chiropractor
First, you’ll want to find a chiropractor who specializes in car accidents. Make sure that you check out their reviews on search engines and also on their website.
Ask them about past experiences and see if they have experience with your symptoms. Verify to make sure that they have the proper credentials, licensing, and education necessary.
You can also reach out to friends and family for referrals. Keep in mind that you’ll still want to do the research necessary about each chiropractor.
Speak with the chiropractor and assess your comfort level with them. For emergencies, see if they offer virtual visits.
Answering Whether You Should See a Chiropractor After a Car Accident
After exploring this guide, you should have a better idea if you should see a chiropractor after a car accident. Take your time picking out the right chiropractor and make sure that they have car accident injury experience.
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