After taking an initial assessment, your chiropractor will likely want to see you at least once a week to see how your body responds to treatment.
Don’t be surprised if your professional initially wants to see you three times or more per week. This is to keep an eye on you and how your body responds to the treatment.
Keep reading for more information on what to expect from a chiropractor after an accident.
What Kind of Practitioner Should You See?
When choosing a chiropractor, pick one with experience treating your type of injury. They understand the kind of trauma you are dealing with and can provide the right treatment plan for your situation. It’s best to consult multiple professionals before choosing one for long-term care.
How Often Should I Go?
Usually, chiropractors will recommend a series of follow-up visits after the initial appointment. This may involve three or more weekly visits for a few weeks before reducing the frequency to once per week until your condition is stabilized.
So I Need to Go More than Once?
Yes. As unfortunate as it is, most injuries that benefit from chiropractic visits do not heal after a single adjustment.
It’s tempting to skip a session or two, but it’s important to complete the recommended series of visits. Going more than once helps your body recover and heal without complications. It also allows you to monitor improvements in your condition over time.
Why Do They Want Me To Visit So Much?
The body heals at its own pace, so multiple visits to a chiropractor are necessary to assess your progress and make adjustments. Creating and following a personalized treatment plan helps speed up the healing process.
When it comes to how long you should see a chiropractor after an accident, the answer varies from person to person. In most cases, it’s best to follow your doctor’s professional recommendations and maintain regular visits until your condition is stabilized.
How Can I Reduce Treatments?
Your professional will probably recommend several things to you on your first visit, including exercises to work on at home.
You may also need to reduce stress, eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, and get enough rest. These all play an essential role in promoting healing and recovery after an accident. It’s a good idea to practice proper posture and stretching techniques to help improve your overall health.
Listen carefully to their instructions and follow them closely. Doing so can help you achieve optimal results in the shortest possible time.
When Can I Stop Going?
Your chiropractor will let you know when it’s time to stop treatment. Generally speaking, once your condition has improved and stabilized, they may suggest reducing the frequency of visits or discontinuing care altogether.
If you experience new symptoms or changes in your condition, inform your chiropractor immediately. Sharing relevant information can help them adjust your treatment plan accordingly and ensure that you are on the path to optimal well-being.
Is It Possible to Visit Too Much?
Sometimes, it’s possible to go to the chiropractor too often. A phenomenon like this usually occurs when a patient has been treating an injury for an extended period without improving their condition. If this is the case, your doctor may recommend taking a break from treatment or switching to other forms of therapy.
When to Go After an Accident
The answer to this question depends on the type and severity of your injury. If you’ve recently been in an accident, it’s best to seek medical attention immediately.
Depending on your particular needs, your doctor may refer you to a chiropractor or other healthcare provider for further evaluation and treatment. Here are some other factors to take into consideration:
Was the Injury Severe?
If the car accident was extensive, wait until all medical tests are complete before seeing a chiropractor.
This is to ensure that any underlying injuries are correctly diagnosed and treated. Your doctor can help guide you on when to start chiropractic care after an accident.
What’s Your Pain Level?
If you’re in pain, it’s best to seek medical attention right away. Your doctor may recommend seeing a chiropractor along with other treatments such as physical therapy or medication. Adjustments can help reduce pain and prevent further injury while promoting healing and recovery.
For Minor Injuries
If your car accident was minor, you might be able to start chiropractic care right away. However, you should still seek a medical evaluation from your doctor first so that any underlying injuries can be ruled out.
See a healthcare provider immediately for further assessment and treatment if your pain persists or worsens.
Delay Can Impact Insurance Compensation
Delaying chiropractic treatment can jeopardize any potential compensation you may be entitled to.
The insurance company may attempt to use your delay in seeking treatment as an argument against you. They could argue that the injury wouldn’t be as severe if you had sought medical attention immediately.
To protect your rights and any potential compensation, go to the hospital after an accident and follow your doctor’s instructions.
Most Common Accident-Related Injuries
Chiropractors see a lot of physical trauma. But there are several, mostly related to vehicle collisions, that they see more than others.
Whiplash Is Everywhere
Whiplash is a common injury caused by a car accident and can include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and other symptoms.
If left untreated, whiplash can lead to more severe injuries, such as nerve damage. Chiropractic treatment can help reduce pain and stiffness associated with whiplash while also promoting healing and recovery.
Back and Spine
Chiropractic care can help reduce pain and improve mobility while promoting healing of the affected area. It’s important to note that back injuries may take longer to heal and require ongoing treatment to ensure that the patient can fully recover.
Head and Neck
Head and/or brain injuries can occur during a car accident due to the impact or from being thrown around in the vehicle. The level of this kind of damage can range from mild to severe, depending on the force of the impact.
Chiropractors can help reduce pain and swelling associated with these types of injuries while promoting healing.
Soft Tissue
Common soft tissue injuries include muscle sprains, strains, and ligament tears. Chiropractic care can help reduce pain and swelling associated with these injuries while promoting healing.
Top 5 Reasons to See a Chiropractor After an Accident
Your chiropractic professional can do a lot for you after an accident and as a preventative against future injury. Here are our top 5 reasons you should make an appointment after being involved in any kind of accident.
1. They Can Find Hidden Injuries
Chiropractors are trained to detect and diagnose injuries that may not be immediately apparent after a car accident. They can provide effective treatment options that address both diagnosed and undiagnosed injuries, allowing the patient to recover from the trauma of the accident fully.
2. Some People Get Migraines After Sustaining Minor Injuries
Your doctor can help to alleviate migraines and chronic headaches caused by car accidents. Through adjustments and other treatments, chiropractors can target the source of pain and relieve discomfort.
3. Your Inflammation May Subside Faster
Regular visits can also help reduce the risk of tissue scarring and inflammation caused by a car accident. By manipulating the spine and other affected areas, chiropractors can promote proper healing and minimize any long-term damage.
4. Reduce Joint Stiffness
Chiropractic care can also help to increase a patient’s range of motion, which is vital for recovering from an accident. Through stretching and other exercises, chiropractors can restore mobility in the affected area and reduce tightness or stiffness.
5. You Might Stand a Bit Taller
Finally, chiropractic care can help to realign the spinal column after an accident. This helps ensure that the body functions correctly and allows the patient to move without pain or discomfort.
A Summary of the Factors That Affect Your Treatment After an Accident
Take a look at the below summary to get an overall idea of what your treatment frequency is going to look like:
- The type of injury – Soft tissue injuries like muscle sprains may require fewer visits than serious injuries such as fractures or ligament tears. Some damage may take longer to heal and thus require more frequent treatment sessions.
- The severity – If the injury is severe, more frequent visits may be necessary to ensure that healing takes place properly and the patient’s recovery goes as smoothly as possible.
- The number of injuries sustained – If multiple areas have been injured, more visits may be necessary as each area must be adequately treated for healing to occur properly.
- How soon you decide to seek treatment – The sooner you start treatment, the more likely your injuries will heal properly and quickly.
- How well your body responds to treatment – If your body responds well to treatments and the healing process goes smoothly, fewer visits may be necessary. On the other hand, if the healing process is slower than expected or plateaus, you may need more frequent visits to ensure your recovery is progressing as expected.
- Your treatment Goals – If your goal is simply to alleviate pain and restore range of motion, fewer visits may be necessary. However, more visits may be required if you seek more comprehensive care, including spinal alignment or other rehabilitative treatments.
FAQ
How long after an injury should you see a chiropractor?
It is generally recommended that you seek chiropractic care as soon as possible after an injury to ensure the best results.
The exact number of visits will depend on several factors, such as the type and severity of your injury, how soon you decided to seek treatment and your body’s response to treatment.
Do chiropractic adjustments work right away?
Chiropractic adjustments can often provide relief from pain and discomfort almost immediately. However, this is not always the case; it may take several visits or more before you start to experience significant results.
Can you hurt worse after chiropractic adjustment?
It is possible to experience some discomfort after a chiropractic adjustment, but this should be temporary. If the pain does not subside or worsens over time, you should contact your chiropractor for further guidance.
What should you not do after chiropractic?
After a chiropractic adjustment, it is important to avoid strenuous activities such as heavy lifting or intense exercise for 24-48 hours. You should also avoid any activity that causes pain and focus on gentle stretching and range of motion exercises to help heal.
Who pays for chiropractor after accident?
In most cases, the costs of treatment at a chiropractor after an accident are covered by your insurance policy. You may need to pay out of pocket if you are responsible for any portion of the medical costs.
