Many people seek medical treatment after motor vehicle accidents from their primary care physician. Seeking therapy from a car accident chiropractor may seem beneficial, but for a later time. However, chiropractors are among the leading medical professionals to visit after a collision.
Chiropractors focus on the musculoskeletal system. Their education focuses on anatomy, physiology, and the spinal and nervous systems. Certain common injuries like soft tissue injuries are the bread and butter of most chiropractic disciplines.
Doctors of chiropractic are capable primary care professionals. Still, we advise all accident victims seek medical attention before committing to chiropractic therapy. Additionally, initial imaging and testing are crucial for diagnoses. If a patient prefers, we can provide imaging options.
Why You Should Visit a Car Accident Chiropractor After a Collision
Chiropractors care about your physical health. Their focus on care is why seeking treatment is vital after an accident. Not all car accident injuries will manifest in the way you assume. Some injuries, like soft tissue injuries, can take time to manifest.
Too many people assume pain and injuries appear instantaneously after car accidents. Unfortunately, the body and brain do not cooperate with common assumptions. Even minor car accidents cause hidden injuries like whiplash injuries that can lead to neck pain later.
The brain floods the body with adrenaline and other hormones, masking pain receptors. Evolution means your body kicks into fight-or-flight mode after trauma or threat. While the response is helpful for getting you to safety, it is problematic in giving you a false sense of calm.
The hormonal reaction caused by the accident takes time to dissipate. The problem with time is your injuries are not getting any better; they are possibly getting worse.
Visiting a chiropractor within the first 72 hours after a car crash is vital to reducing damage and aiding recovery. After the initial window, injuries can evolve or become irreversible. The earlier you can begin chiropractic therapy, the better it is for your recovery.
Chiropractors can also work with a personal injury attorney for accident victims seeking compensation for medical bills.
8 Reasons Visiting a Chiropractor Is the Best Thing for You
The body’s ability to mask injuries is a leading reason to schedule a chiropractic assessment, but it is not the only one. The knowledge and experience of a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic are equally vital.
A chiropractor knows how hormones work after an accident; they also know where the most common accident injuries occur. For example, a whiplash injury is a common car accident injury treated by a chiropractor. The awareness of biological processes and common accident damages means a chiropractor knows where to search for injuries, even if you don’t feel any pain initially.
Beyond a chiropractor’s experience and qualifications, the professional can offer several advantages with early intervention. In fact, there are eight advantages of seeking chiropractic care after a collision exist.
1. Hidden Trauma
Hidden injuries are the result of those biological responses in the body. Whether it’s soft tissue damage after minor fender benders or internal bleeding or broken bones after a serious car crashes it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you were injured in a car visit local emergency room or seek medical care from an experienced no-fault doctor. The hormonal changes mean you do not recognize pain signals the way you should. If you are not responding to pain, your injuries will potentially worsen as you continue operating as though everything is Ok.
Swelling, inflammation, sensitivity, and redness are all indicators that something is wrong. Still, if you notice the symptoms, you may not jump to any alarming conclusions because you feel Ok. A chiropractor understands the warning signs of injuries and will act.
The medical professional will want to get to the bottom of the surface symptoms. Your chiropractor may request imaging to assess the soft tissues below the skin’s surface.
By scheduling an assessment with a chiropractor after a crash, your chiropractor can help diagnose minor and significant injuries early before they result in compound injuries.
2. Potential Scar Tissue
You should see a chiropractor after a car accident to reduce the risk of scar tissue. Scar tissue is often the result of chronic inflammation. As the body promotes a healing response to an injury site, the area becomes flooded with white blood cells and fluid. The flooding leads to swelling and restriction.
As the tissues in the affected area move, they create friction. The rubbing, stretching, and movement result in minor tearing. The tears heal, but they produce scar tissue. The more trauma to the tissue, the more scar tissue. Eventually, the scar tissue restricts movement and flexibility.
Chiropractic care focuses on maintaining movement and function, which can relieve inflammation. The reduction in inflammation means the tissues are free to move as intended, meaning less tearing and scarring. Ultimately, chiropractic therapy can result in less pain and greater flexibility or at least salvaged range of motion.
3. Inflammation Reduction
Inflammation is a natural bodily response to trauma, but it can cause problems when left unmitigated. A Doctor of Chiropractic can help prevent, relieve, and correct chronic inflammation.
If left alone, the persistent rush of white blood cells can severely restrict the flow of red blood cells to the site. The reduction of red blood cells deprives the site of vital oxygen and nutrients. Additionally, the flow of fluid into the affected zone can cause pressure on nerves, resulting in pain.
Through spinal manipulations and other chiropractic adjustments, chiropractors help relieve inflammation. The specific methods and exercises used for therapy help restore movement and alignment to the injured areas, reducing the body’s trauma response. As white blood cells and fluids reduce in the damaged areas, accident victims experience pressure relief. The tissues and nerves have the freedom to move and interact as intended, and patients feel less pain.
4. Avoidance of Invasive Therapies
Many patients visit an auto accident chiropractor to limit the potential of invasive surgeries and treatments. Many accident victims fear surgery, and why wouldn’t they? Surgeries can come with significant risks.
The rush to surgery is one of the areas in that many chiropractors and doctors disagree. Chiropractors feel that many accident injuries, including strains and sprains, can heal without surgery or prescription medications.
Despite the disagreement over the frequency of surgery, all medical professionals agree that some injuries require surgery. Still, even when surgery is necessary, that doesn’t mean a patient cannot benefit from chiropractic care. In fact, working with a chiropractor or physical therapist after surgery can help accelerate recovery time for patients.
5. Holistic Pain Management
When a patient works with a chiropractor, they do not receive prescription medications. A Doctor of Chiropractic cannot prescribe medications. Chiropractors treat their patients’ pain through therapeutic movements and adjustments.
Through targeted manipulations, a chiropractor attempts body realignment. The realignment of the body helps relieve inflammation and provide pain relief.
Each patient receives a custom treatment plan. The plan encompasses the length of treatment and specific exercises a patient needs to follow for recovery. The chiropractor will also teach patients about posture and home care.
The well-rounded treatment plan provides the patient with all the tools and insight to avoid strain and mitigate pain. Depending on the injury, a chiropractic patient might avoid prescription medications through recovery.
6. Freedom From Prescription Drugs
Opioids and other pain medications are potentially problematic. Too many patients become addicted to the substances, causing trauma to themselves and their loved ones. If you visit a chiropractor after a car accident, you will meet a professional who believes in holistic healing.
Physicians can be quick to prescribe medications, especially when someone is in pain after car accident injuries.. A chiropractor wants to attempt therapy before delving into other possibilities. Still, some patients require medications to experience any relief initially, so do not feel shame if you need medicinal help. Talk to your chiropractor and physician to develop a pain management plan together.
7. Mobility and Flexibility Improvements
Mobility and flexibility equate to the body’s range of motion. All joints and body parts can move in predictable paths. After a car accident, some parts might feel more restricted than before. The restriction you feel can stem from nerve damage, inflammation, or misalignment.
Chiropractors are familiar with range of motion injuries. The chiropractic process focuses on therapies and exercises to restore movement and flexibility. However, chiropractors cannot promise a full recovery. They can provide insight into restrictions and exercises to improve the range of motion over time. The potential for a complete recovery depends on a patient’s specific injury after a car accident.
8. Recovery Speed
Because an auto accident chiropractor is familiar with soft tissue injuries and the musculoskeletal system, they are the preferred therapist for such injuries. A chiropractor’s knowledge and skills help them assess and treat injuries without invasive therapies.
The professional’s insight into the anatomy, nervous system, soft tissues, etc., means they understand how an accident can displace these systems. Their familiarity with manipulations and physical alignment means they can effectively treat and correct many common auto accident injuries. Additionally, with a chiropractor’s targeted approach, they can help accelerate the recovery process after a car accident.
No-Fault Doctors: NY and NJ Chiropractors Accepting No-Fault Insurance
A chiropractor is worth your time after a collision. The medical professional can help ensure there are no hidden injuries or complications from the wreck. However, you want to work with the right chiropractor, one who accepts no-fault insurance and can treat you without question or hesitation. It’s a good idea to see a doctor immediately after an auto accident injury. Whether you suffered neck pain after whiplash or herniated discs, or other common injury symptoms, schedule your appointment today.
Doctors in our directory accept no-fault insurance, medical liens, PIP (personal injury protection), letters of protection, workers’ compensation, and other health insurance plans.
If you recently experienced a car accident and are looking for a Doctor of Chiropractic in the New York and New Jersey areas, contact No-Fault Doctors to schedule an assessment. Call today to see a chiropractor near you. Same-day appointments may be available,