In the days following a car accident, you have a lot on your mind. You’re dealing with car repairs and insurance companies and it’s easy to neglect caring for yourself with so many other things going on. Unfortunately, that pinch in your neck or soreness in your back is only likely to get worse in the weeks after your accident. It’s common for injuries that seem minor at the time of your accident to worsen later, which is why it’s important to be proactive when it comes to getting the care you need. Here’s what to know about chiropractic treatment after a car accident.
When Is Chiropractic Treatment Needed After a Car Accident?
A car accident doesn’t have to result in a major wreck to cause an injury. Even a small fender bender when a car bumps into you at a stoplight or as you’re backing out of a parking space can injure you enough that you need treatment. Soft tissue injuries can lead to chronic pain if they go untreated—and most whiplash injuries occur in accidents where there is only minor vehicle damage involved.
Obviously, if you are seriously injured after a car accident, you should go to your nearest emergency room for treatment. If, however, you haven’t suffered a serious injury, but you’re still in pain—even if it’s minor—you should still seek medical attention.
You may choose to see a medical doctor for your injury, but they’re likely to prescribe a pain medication or muscle relaxer to treat the symptoms, not the cause of the injury; other doctors may refer you to a physical therapist. At Kim Chiropractic & Rehab, we have a better approach—chiropractic treatment to provide relief for your pain and physical therapy to help strengthen the injured area and rehabilitate you after your injury.
Getting a Chiropractic Evaluation After a Car Accident
Even if you’re not in pain, it may be a good idea to see a chiropractor for an evaluation. It’s not unheard of for injuries to cause no pain at all at first, only to start acting up weeks or months later. Unfortunately, if you wait until the pain starts to get treatment, it’s unlikely that the at-fault party’s insurance will cover the cost of treating your injury. For this reason, it’s recommended that patients get a chiropractic evaluation within two weeks of a car accident.
Why see a chiropractor and not your primary care physician? It’s simple—chiropractors are specialists in auto accident injuries and their symptoms, including neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain, numbness, back pain, and tingling. We have the tools to diagnose such injuries and the knowledge to treat them. We’ll restore the movement you’ve lost, help you overcome muscle weakness, and reduce pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms. With prompt treatment, your risk of chronic symptoms will decrease.
Learn More About Chiropractic Treatment After a Car Accident
If you’ve been injured in a car accident and you’d like to schedule a consultation with Kim Chiropractic & Rehab. Make an appointment or contact us today at 301-881-1000. We have convenient locations in Centreville, Columbia, and Rockville.
