Should I Go to the Chiropractor After a Car Accident?

September 18, 2017

Depending on the severity of your car accident, you may have many treatment options available to you to manage the residual pain you’re experiencing.

In a serious accident, you may have to consider surgery to ensure you achieve maximum medical improvement (MMI). But in a mild to moderate car accident, you may come away with just a few bruises, maybe a sprain, and some general aches and pains.

For some people, chiropractic care is as normal as seeing one’s family doctor. But for others, chiropractic care is a new, unknown possibility.

Hensley Legal Group recommends that injured victims consult with their doctor(s) and choose the treatment that’s best for their specific circumstances and injuries. For some, that may involve chiropractic care, so we’re going to take a look at the ways chiropractic care might be helpful after an Indiana car accident.

If You Have Whiplash

When people think of car accidents, they often think of whiplash. Whiplash results from the neck extending backward and forward quickly with some degree of force. This action can damage the neck’s soft tissues and eventually may affect discs, ligaments, muscles, and even the nerve roots in your neck.

Along with being associated with car accidents, whiplash is also often associated with chiropractors. Many chiropractors attest that their healthcare practices are able to relieve the pain associated with whiplash and help the injury to heal.

Symptoms of whiplash include:

• Headache
• Stiffness
• Shoulder or back pain
• Dizziness
• Burning or prickling
• Hoarseness
• Problems chewing and swallowing

Whiplash also may not be obvious immediately. You may not experience symptoms for a few days. If you do begin to experience neck pain, it may be a good idea to consult with a chiropractor or your family doctor.

If You Have Chronic Pain

After a car accident, it’s natural that you might have some aches and pains. But if these don’t go away, you may consider going to the chiropractor. A chiropractor can alert you to injuries you may not have been aware of and can keep small injuries from becoming larger problems. Chiropractic centers typically also offer massage therapy and may be able to alleviate your pain by massage.

Sometimes, you may have multiple options available to try to alleviate pain. Your doctor may suggest surgery or medication or chiropractic care. Chiropractic care may be worth pursuing if you want to avoid surgery or taking medication for your pain. You might also consider pursuing chiropractic care in conjunction with medication or surgery.

However, it’s important to listen to your doctor regarding the severity of your injuries. If your doctor tells you that you cannot expect to fully recover unless you undergo surgery or take medication, you should listen to your doctor and seriously consider their warning. If you’re unsure, seek out another doctor for a second opinion. Your chiropractor will also be honest with you if he or she thinks chiropractic care isn’t going to result in the kind of healing you need. Ultimately, the kind of healthcare you receive is your choice, but we highly recommend listening to medical professionals before making any health decision.

If You’re Not Receiving Traditional Medical Care

If you’re not going to the doctor at all following your car accident, it’s a good idea to seek some kind of medical care not only to address your injuries but also to document them in case you decide to move forward with an Indiana car accident claim.

The insurance company will try to say that your injuries aren’t severe enough to deserve compensation if you’re not seeking any medical treatment after a car accident. Going to the chiropractor is a good way to make sure your injuries are documented so it can be proven that they were caused by the car accident and not by something else.

However, if your condition isn’t improving after continuous chiropractic care, you may want to consider following up with your family doctor or a specialist to determine what your next steps are.

If you don’t go to the chiropractor for very long, regardless of your condition—if, for example, you only go once or twice before deciding it’s not for you—then you should definitely follow up with another medical professional and seek a different form of medical treatment if you still haven’t reached MMI following the car accident.

It’s important for both your health and for your personal injury case to make sure you’re treating with a doctor and/or chiropractor until you’ve fully recovered or your condition has improved as much as it possibly can.

Help from an Indiana Car Accident Attorney

At Hensley Legal Group, we encourage you to listen to your doctor and/or chiropractor following an Indiana car accident to determine what is the best course of treatment for you.

However, while you’re receiving treatment, you may be worried about how you’re going to pay for the medical bills that are piling up, or how you’re going to repair or replace your vehicle. That’s where we come in. Call Hensley Legal Group today or contact us online to schedule a free case review.