Over 35 million people in the United States visit a chiropractor at least once per year. Additionally, 77% of people who receive this type of care consider it very effective. Have you been involved in an accident recently and you’re struggling with chronic pain that has affected your quality of life? If so, seeing a personal injury chiropractor may be exactly what you need. These specialists help victims of car accidents, slip and fall injuries, and more. 

In this guide, we’ll cover the benefits of receiving chiropractic care.

Treating Common Personal Injuries

If you were a victim of a car crash, there are many injuries you have to worry about. Receiving medical care immediately after an accident is crucial if you want the proper documentation for a personal injury case. 

Other than cuts and bruises, many people also deal with sprains, fractures, whiplash, back pain, and more. Some injuries stay with car accident victims for the rest of their lives. 

These are a few examples of the most common types: 

  • Soft tissue damage (bruising, swelling, etc.)
  • Cuts and scrapes
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Chest injuries (broken ribs, internal bleeding, etc.)
  • Leg and arm injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Internal organ damage or internal bleeding

Neck and back pain following an accident-whether it’s a car crash, a slip and fall, or another incident-are quite common. The side effects of being involved in an accident can last for weeks, months, or longer.

Chronic pain can disrupt your life. It makes it more difficult to complete your everyday tasks, and you may struggle to continue working without pain. As a result, you may lose your job or you might be unable to participate in activities you once enjoyed. 

The right personal injury lawyer can help you get compensation, but living with pain after an accident isn’t easy. 

How Does a Personal Injury Chiropractor Help?

A personal injury chiropractor specializes in treating injuries caused by accidents. For instance, if you were badly injured at work and you now struggle with back and neck pain, a chiropractor can help treat you. They often help patients gain some control over their lives again through treatments meant to improve an individual’s quality of life. 

Here’s another example.

Someone that was rear-ended in their vehicle is now dealing with whiplash. They have difficulty moving their neck without pain, which limits their range of motion. A chiropractor can help this individual through gentle stretches, muscle stimulation, and relaxation techniques. 

Chiropractors create tailored plans for each patient, suggesting treatment methods to help bring relief and restore strength. Common treatments include spinal adjustments, spinal decompression therapy, or cold laser therapy. 

Chiropractic care also covers a wide range of body areas. Most people associate these medical professionals with the spine, but they understand how the entire body works together. As such, they can help alleviate pain in the following areas: 

  • Back
  • Neck
  • Arms
  • Shoulders
  • Pelvic area
  • Legs
  • Hips

Spinal Adjustments

One of the most common types of chiropractic care involves spinal adjustments. Any damage to the spine can cause pain, weakness, numbness, and other side effects that affect a person’s mobility. 

Your spinal cord consists of many tiny nerve cells that send messages back and forth between the brain and the rest of the body. Many of these cells coordinate functions such as breathing or walking. As you might imagine, any damage to this highway of information can have drastic consequences. 

A chiropractor has an in-depth knowledge of your musculoskeletal system. They understand how accidents can affect your spine and your body’s functions. 

Spinal manipulation involves making corrections and repositioning misaligned joints. The flexion-distraction technique can even help with herniated and bulging discs. 

Other Types of Treatment

Chiropractic care involves more than just spinal adjustments. Your chiropractor may be hands-on, which means they are trained specialists that use their hands to perform controlled, forced movements. However, they might also use specialized instruments to make adjustments. 

One common tool is the interferential electrical stimulation device that produces low-frequency currents to stimulate certain areas. A therapeutic ultrasound helps increase blood flow to an area, boosting circulation. The use of heat also allows your muscles to relax, which reduces pain. 

Soft-tissue therapy involves using pressure and stretching to heal tissue damage and restore function. A massage can also relieve tension in the muscles. 

These various techniques are meant to assist individuals in strengthening their muscles and improving their mobility. 

What Are the Benefits of Seeing a Chiropractor? 

These medical specialists provide drug-free, non-invasive treatments. Patients may not need to worry about risky surgeries or getting addicted to pain medication. Chiropractors stimulate different areas of the body to induce its natural ability to heal. 

Patients may go to their chiropractor to manage pain, reduce inflammation, or increase their range of motion. Being able to move around without pain does wonders for the mind, too. 

Depending on the severity of the accident, it can take victims weeks, months, or even years to fully recover. Recovery timelines vary depending on the extent of the injuries, the patient’s health, and the treatment they seek. Working with a chiropractor can speed up this timeline and help you recover faster. 

Another benefit of visiting a chiropractor is that they will teach you valuable techniques you can use throughout your life to help manage pain. And unlike looking up tips online or watching a YouTube video, these specialists take time to evaluate your case and come up with a unique treatment plan. 

Chiropractic care allows many people to restore their range of motion and increase their mobility again. As a result, they’re often able to return to activities they enjoyed before the accident. 

Sometimes, symptoms of an injury don’t appear until long after an accident. These hidden injuries aren’t immediately evident, and many people don’t seek care. 

For example, if someone slips and falls at work, they may feel fine. Perhaps they have some bruises and they’re feeling sore, but they don’t go get treatment. However, the accident may have caused damage to the back, and the victim may feel pain or headaches hours or days later. 

Whiplash, one of the most common car accident injuries, doesn’t usually produce symptoms until 24 hours later. Some symptoms may even take days to appear. 

Seeking a personal injury chiropractor helps individuals to manage the pain and treat these hidden injuries.

Is Chiropractic Care Covered? 

Victims of personal injury accidents that seek compensation are usually covered by their accident settlement. 

When a victim brings forth a claim and wins their case, they receive compensation for medical treatment. This includes doctor’s visits, physical therapy, and chiropractic treatment. The defendant must pay all necessary medical expenses. 

In Florida, your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage reimburses you for up to 80% of necessary and reasonable medical costs, with a limit of $10,000. 

PIP also reimburses the cost of care, such as chiropractic treatments, regardless of fault. Of course, this refers to any medical care that is reasonable and necessary in your situation. Extending care beyond the recommended timeline can affect your coverage. 

You can file a claim for damages to recover any out-of-pocket expenses. Keep in mind that some insurers may attempt to undervalue a claim if it’s for chiropractic care, so ensure you have the right legal professional on your side to get the compensation you need. 

How to Find the Right Fit

If you’ve recently been in an accident, you’re likely going through a lot of different emotions and you don’t need to add the stress of dealing with a bad chiropractor. It’s essential that you find a personal injury specialist that understands what you’re going through and has the training necessary to help you recover. 

Finding a great fit means discovering one that addresses the cause of your pain rather than covering the symptoms. 

So, if you’re seeking care after your personal injury case, where do you turn?

You can begin by asking your primary care physician for a referral. They have access to a network of specialists and can get you in to see one as soon as possible. 

Next, you should schedule an evaluation. If this is your first time speaking with a chiropractor, ask them what to expect. Understanding the process can put your mind at ease. 

Generally, people will visit the chiropractic office two to three times a week. From there, it depends on your case. You may need treatment lasting anywhere between six to twenty-four months. 

A trained chiropractor evaluates your condition, asks you questions about your pain, and develops a unique treatment plan. As such, you can get a better feel for whether you’ve found the right fit after your initial visit. 

Find Treatment for Your Pain

Being in an accident can be a traumatic experience, and any lingering pain that follows may negatively affect your quality of life. However, a personal injury chiropractor can help you control the symptoms and reduce the pain. 

Here at Waterside Chiropractic, we’ve been helping Florida residents for years. View our convenient locations or book an appointment online to begin your treatment and take back your life. 

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