Anyone who has ever been in a vehicle accident knows the importance of seeing a medical professional as soon as possible. One of the best ways to avoid long-term physical complications after a collision is to see a licensed chiropractor. Not only do patients get a full-scale examination, but they can also regain range of motion, experience less pain, and enjoy many other benefits of chiropractic care, and all without surgery or drugs. The main reason millions of people see chiropractors after accidents is clear: these highly skilled physicians are trained to set the body right, even when there are no apparent injuries.
The human body is a delicate and complex entity. Sometimes it can be in a very bad way but not display any outward signs of trouble. That’s why it’s so essential for accident victims to seek medical attention after any kind of vehicular collision. Problems with the neck, shoulders, spine, and other body parts can be quite serious but not show clear symptoms for weeks or months. This is especially true with whiplash, in which the head is thrown back and forth or side to side rapidly. Whiplash is a serious injury that can have both short and long-term health consequences, including severe headaches, the inability to move one’s neck, and fainting.
There are other reasons to see a chiropractor, of course, but for car accident victims, it’s vital to make an appointment with a chiropractor quickly, before “invisible” injuries show themselves, and much more serious symptoms begin to appear. Chiropractors not only minimize symptoms like pain and stiffness, but can set the body on a path toward healing as quickly, safely, and naturally as possible.
10 Reasons to See a Chiropractor After a Vehicle Accident
If you’ve been in a car accident, a trip to the chiropractor’s office is in order. You should get there asap to take advantage of all the benefits of this highly specialized and effective form of medical care. Chiropractors can relieve pain, diagnose and treat problems like whiplash, restore range of motion, help you avoid the change of enduring long-term pain, and even help document everything for an eventual insurance claim.
Range-of-motion, known as ROM for short, is the normal range through which any of the body’s joints can be moved. Many diseases and injuries cause restricted ROM. It’s just one of the many normal kinds of bodily functions that chiropractors can help restore. Here’s more about the key benefits of seeing a chiropractic physician as soon as you can after the accident:
- Reduction of Inflammation
- Discovery of Non-Obvious Physical Problems and Injuries
- All-Body Pain Reduction
- Referral to Other Specialists If Needed:
- Immediate and Long-Term Pain Reduction
- A Completely Non-Invasive Approach That Uses No Drugs
- Enhanced Range-of-Motion (ROM)
- Minimization of Scar Tissue
- Assistance with Insurance Claim Filing
- Complete Examination of the Spine
Everyone’s state of health is unique, and accident-related injuries range from mild to severe. That’s why your visit with a chiropractor might include more or fewer of the items listed above. It’s important to follow the doctor’s orders and inform the office in-between visits if anything goes wrong, your symptoms worsen, or new ones surface. The key thing to remember is to always keep the lines of communication open between you and your chiropractor. That way, you’ll be sure to not only get the very best medical care but can enjoy a full, drug-free, natural recovery.
General Benefits of Chiropractic Care
There’s plenty more to chiropractic medicine than emergency care for accident victims. Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs), do hundreds of different things related to helping their patients live healthier, happier lives. As any other type of medical professional, a chiropractor has several areas of special focus. Spinal health and wellness is one of the primary categories of care offered by every DC.
So, in addition to helping injured folks heal naturally and without drugs or surgery, chiropractic physicians help non-injured clients sleep better, live without back pain, enjoy all the benefits of good posture, and learn how to eat a well-balanced diet. Here are some of the many ways that this natural kind of medical practice can offer better lives to anyone who decides to make an appointment with the local chiropractor:
- A better sense of full-body balance
- More restful and more regular sleep
- Freer breathing
- Healthier and less painful pregnancies
- Improvements in asthmatic conditions
- More complete digestion
- Enhanced immune function
- A higher overall level of bodily energy
- Improvements with blood pressure irregularities
- More muscle and joint flexibility
What To Do Immediately After an Auto Accident
If you are in a vehicle collision, it’s important to know what to do first. Of course, you should follow any directions given by law enforcement personnel. If you do not need to go to a hospital, remember to contact your insurance agent as quickly as possible. If they ask whether you are injured, explain that you don’t require immediate medical help but plan to visit your chiropractor as soon as possible and will inform the insurer about the results of that exam.
Get to your chiropractor’s office as soon as you can and have a full examination. Give the doctor’s staff members all the details about the accident and follow any medical advice the chiropractor gives you after the examination.
When an Accident Happens
After taking care of your immediate responsibilities at the accident scene, as noted above, you’ll eventually end up in a chiropractor’s office in the best-case scenario. That means you’ll be getting the exact kind of care and medical attention you need in those precious hours and days immediately after the mishap. This is the time when whiplash, minor head injuries, sprains, and muscle strains aren’t obvious to the untrained eye. But, a licensed chiropractor can get to the bottom of things and discover precisely what type of care you need and whether you have any of these non-apparent injuries.
At the end of your visit, the doctor will explain all the details of your exam and might recommend a treatment regimen for you to follow. You’ll also be given documentation you can use to file an insurance claim to get reimbursement for some or all of the cost of treatment, depending on the conditions of your auto policy.
There’s no reason to let the lingering effects of a car accident cause you long-term health problems. At Spinal Health & Wellness, Dr. Tim Ciolkosz specializes in treating injury victims and anyone who suffers from headaches, back pain, or neck discomfort. The Spinal Health & Wellness clinic at Pike Creek is located in Wilmington on 3105 Limestone Rd, Suite 303.
Feel free to call and make an appointment or walk-in for fast, attentive service. We are happy to deal with your accident emergency. Our phone number is 302-993-9113. See our website for more information about our practice.
