When you're involved in a car accident, your car isn't the only thing that will likely suffer damage.
Car accidents are very traumatic for the human body as well.
Even if you've just suffered a minor injury, you will still likely experience pain or soreness after your auto collision that could linger on for months.
This may seem like a minor annoyance at the time, but minor pains can quickly become chronic issues if they aren't treated by a medical professional.
Whether you have a whiplash injury or you're experiencing back pain or neck pain, and even if you don't think you're injured, you should still seek immediate medical care after your accident.
Many people choose to see an accident chiropractor to help treat their injuries.
But many of those same people wonder how many times they need to see their chiropractor after their accident.
No two patients will ever be the same, so there is no standard recovery plan for how many chiropractic visits it might take for you to make a complete recovery.
Your chiropractor will determine the best treatment plan for your injuries, including the number of visits necessary to accommodate your unique circumstances.
In the article below, we will look at chiropractic treatments after a car accident and how many times you may need to see your chiropractor.
Table of Contents
- Do I Need to See A Chiropractor After A Car Accident?
- When Should I Go to the Chiropractor?
- How Often Do I Need To Visit The Chiropractor?
- How Can You Accelerate The Healing Process?
- Visit The Arrowhead Clinic
Do I Need to See a Chiropractor After a Car Accident?
The answer to this question is usually yes, auto accident victims should see a chiropractor no matter how they feel after an accident.
Chiropractors can provide various treatment options for a multitude of auto accident injuries.
Even if you aren't experiencing any pain or other signs of injury after your accident, you may have underlying issues that have yet to present themselves.
Many crash victims experience muscle soreness and various body aches after an accident because of the force of the impact.
Either way, visiting a chiropractor after an accident will, at the very least, can rule out any hidden injuries and give you a clean bill of health after your accident.
If any injuries are discovered during your chiropractor appointment, you'll be given proper treatment right away.
If you don't see a chiropractor right away and you begin to experience headaches, migraines, or dizziness in the days following your car crash, you run the risk of suffering from long-term pain and may need to see a chiropractor for quite some time.
When Should I Go to the Chiropractor?
As we touched on above, it's in your best interest to see a chiropractic doctor as soon as you can after a car accident, even if you feel fine.
Many people will experience a rush of adrenaline that will mask common injuries after a traumatic event.
You could have a severe injury that needs immediate treatment but not realize it due to the flow of adrenaline in your body.
Your chiropractor will perform an in-depth physical exam to see if you have an injury that isn't showing symptoms yet.
Based on your exam and medical history, they will design a treatment plan that may include chiropractic adjustments, manual therapies, trigger point therapy, physical therapy, muscle stimulation therapy, or soft tissue therapy.
Even if your chiropractor doesn't find anything right away, you will have an established record of seeking medical care after your accident.
This is proper documentation to give to your insurance company if you need to file an insurance claim.
Your initial consultation with your chiropractor will be useful if you start feeling symptoms a little later on.
It will show your insurance adjuster that you didn't put off treatment or ignore symptoms you had the entire time.
Schedule a free consultation with a qualified chiropractor as soon as possible because your health should be your number one priority after your accident.
Even minor accidents can cause an injury, and untreated injuries can cause serious long-term side effects that can affect not only your quality of life but also your accident injury settlement.
How Often Do I Need to Visit the Chiropractor?
After your first appointment, the number of times you need to come back for chiropractic visits will depend on the severity of your injuries.
Accident victims who experience severe pain from an injury like whiplash or another soft tissue injury may have to go every few days until their symptoms start to improve.
Minor soreness in the neck or back may only require a few treatments and proper alignment.
After your first visit, your chiropractor will likely recommend at least one follow-up visit so they can be sure nothing else has become apparent as your body begins the healing process.
For many people, though, chiropractic care becomes a regular wellness activity that doesn't end.
Many people love the benefits of chiropractic care, and they want to experience them whether they are injured or not.
Any chiropractic doctor's goal, whether you visit after an auto accident or see a wellness chiropractor, is to ensure that your body can function at its optimal level.
When you stop, your treatments will ultimately be up to your recovery and the decisions made by you and your chiropractor. Still, many people opt to receive continuous treatment to help prevent future injuries.
How Can You Accelerate The Healing Process?
There's only so much you can do to speed up the recovery process, especially if you are seeking emergency medical treatment after an accident.
There may be ways to support your chiropractic treatments, allowing you to heal faster and end your treatment sooner.
The first thing you can do to ensure you heal as fast as possible is to follow the customized treatment plan that you are given and be sure to attend all recommended sessions.
If there's ever a reason you can't make it to an appointment, it needs to be rescheduled right away.
Missing just one visit can stall your progress, and it can be a red flag to your insurance company that you aren't taking your recovery seriously.
You also need to follow any advice your chiropractor gives you during your treatments.
They may recommend exercises or stretches you can do at home, and if they do, you should do all of them.
These movements could help you heal faster and enhance the progress you make during your chiropractor sessions.
And if your chiropractor puts any limitations on your activities, you need to stick to them as well.
Even though they may seem inconvenient, following those restrictions will help you improve faster and shorten your overall recovery time.
No matter what your diagnosis is, you should focus on your overall health as part of your treatment.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet and follow any lifestyle advice your chiropractor gives you.
If your chiropractor has given you the okay, start a light exercise routine and listen to your body so you don't try to do too much.
Hydration supports your muscles and may help them heal faster, so be sure to drink plenty of water.
Visit The Arrowhead Clinic
After an accident, it's vital to seek immediate chiropractic care.
The experienced chiropractors at the Arrowhead Clinic have specialized training that allows them to work with victims of car accidents to get them the medical attention they need.
After making the initial diagnosis, they will design a personalized treatment plan tailored to their patient's specific recovery needs.
And if another driver's negligence caused the automobile accident, they can refer you to a personal injury attorney who will help you with your personal injury claim.
Don't let minor injuries turn into chronic soreness or long-term musculoskeletal issues.
If you have recently been involved in an accident and need pain relief, click the button below to schedule a Free Consultation with an accident injury chiropractor at Arrowhead Clinic.
