What can I expect during a chiropractic session following an auto accident?
No matter how carefully you drive and how much attention you pay to traffic signs and any obstacles on the road, you may still end up in a car accident. Because of the crash, you may be dealing with pain. Sometimes that pain may appear immediately, while other times, it may become evident days or weeks later.
It is also common for many people who are involved in car accidents to convince themselves that they are fine, only to discover down the road that some issues should have been addressed from the beginning. If this has happened to you, you may have gone the route of painkillers and rest only to find out that your pain has now become chronic or much harder to treat.
Professional Treatment for Car Accident Pain
Visiting a healthcare professional to help you deal with the pain is highly recommended. During the first visit, your doctor will:
- Diagnose the source of the pain
- Offer treatment to target pain and achieve relief
- Explain to you what exercises or stretches you need to perform and with what frequency to aid in your recovery
- Indicate how often they need to see you and offer changes in treatment as needed
- Suggest you visit a chiropractor to complement the recovery process
Chiropractors Help with Pain
Chiropractors have two main aims: to help their patients relieve pain and to help them better manage their condition at home. However, many people may doubt whether going to a chiropractor to manage their pain is a good idea. They may have heard that chiropractic adjustments are just too painful or that chiropractors only know how to deal with back pain. Yet, chiropractors are experts at helping people dealing with pain in general, and they offer a safe, non-invasive, and medication-free treatment option. They can not only help with pain, but they will also address injuries and disorders of the joints, muscles, or ligaments.
What can you expect during a chiropractic session after a car accident?
Incorporating chiropractic treatment into your healing process after a car accident will involve several different aspects. Among them:
- Regular appointments
- Therapy
- At-home stretches and exercises
When you visit a chiropractic office, you will be offered a variety of treatments which might include:
- Spinal adjustment and manipulation
- Back and neck pain treatment
- Laser acupuncture
- Cold laser therapy
- Spinal decompression
Your chiropractor will conduct a physical evaluation to understand your particular needs. Pain medication will generally only be offered in conjunction with other treatment options. You will also receive a complete explanation of all the stretches and exercises you will need to perform at home. In some cases, your chiropractor will also recommend lifestyle changes that should enhance your recovery process. You will feel comfortable with the treatment knowing it has been customized to treat your pain.
Why go with a chiropractor to treat your car accident pain?
Chiropractors specialize in musculoskeletal system disorders, and they generally offer their patients ways to treat their neck and back pain, joint pain, or headaches. They believe in a hands-on holistic approach to recovering your health when you have been experiencing pain. They also believe in the importance of manipulating the spine so that it can recover its original, natural alignment. When the spine is aligned properly, it can perform a full range of motion, thus functioning better and being less prone to illness, pain, or injury.
In their accident clinic, a chiropractor can implement additional therapies and offer you rehabilitative services when needed. When the chiropractor gets to know you, they will develop a treatment plan that can take a couple of weeks or several months. During this time, your participation and commitment are also necessary since there will be some exercises and tasks that you will need to complete at home.
