Car accidents are one of the leading causes of injuries across the states. While fatality rates are in decline, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), millions of people still sustain injuries from these incidents each year.
Getting involved in a car accident is not an easy thing to deal with. For some, it can be a traumatic experience that results in various injuries, both physical and mental. Many are lucky enough to get away with a few bruises or scratches, but others suffer more severe damage, ranging from broken limbs to more worrisome injuries.
In most cases, the best thing to do is to seek medical attention immediately. However, what happens afterward once you’re in recovery but you’re still reeling from the effects of your auto accident? This is where chiropractic treatment comes in.
Benefits of a Chiropractic Treatment
Whether your car accident has left you with minor or major injuries, these effects can have significant impacts on an individual’s physical well-being and overall quality of life.
But how exactly can chiropractic treatment help you in these cases?
In the recovery process following a car accident, if you’re looking for a non-invasive approach, chiropractic care is gentle, safe, and completely drug-free.
Additionally, such treatment can also address the underlying musculoskeletal issues and promote the body’s natural healing process. Chiropractors will help ease car accident victims into regaining mobility, alleviating pain, and improving their overall quality of life.
If you’re unsure whether chiropractic care is for you, here are just some of the most common injuries sustained from a car accident that can be treated with chiropractic treatment.
- Whiplash — Whiplash occurs when the head is suddenly jerked forward and then backward, causing strain to the neck muscles and ligaments. Symptoms you could get from such trauma are neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and limited range of motion. As it focuses on realigning the spine and reducing inflammation, chiropractic care has become a great treatment for whiplash.
- Spinal misalignments — Spinal realignment is a common treatment in chiropractic care. That’s why spinal misalignments caused by car accidents are something that can easily be taken care of with chiropractic.
When the vertebrae become misaligned due to trauma or force, such damage can pressure the surrounding nerves, resulting in pain, numbness, and tingling. However, with the help of chiropractic adjustments, you can correct these misalignments, relieve pressure on your nerves, and restore proper function to the spine. - Soft tissue damage — Another common outcome of auto accidents is soft tissue damage. Pain, swelling, bruising, and reduced range of motion can be felt as this involves injury to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons throughout the body.
Medication for pain relief can help ease these symptoms. Still, for a holistic approach, chiropractic techniques like massage therapy and manual manipulation to address soft tissue injuries might work better in the long run.
By working with expert chiropractors, people involved in car accidents can experience an improved quality of life and long-term wellness. All of these without having to worry about invasive approaches and prescription drugs.
Who Should Pay For Your Chiropractic Treatment?
Medical bills are no joke, and the same can be said for chiropractic care. While they’re significantly more cost-effective than going to the hospital, there are still some costs involved.
Of course, in car accidents where you might not be the one at fault, paying for your treatment may seem unfair. Apart from the physical trauma you have already endured, identifying who should cover the costs of your chiropractic treatment can lead to a lot of mental distress as well.
Several factors come into play when determining who owes you compensation for injuries received in a car accident, like the specific nature of the auto accident, the insurance coverage of all parties involved, and other legal considerations.
If you want to alleviate the stress that comes with this unfortunate situation, let a skilled injury lawyer handle your auto accident claims.
Consulting with a qualified personal injury law firm can help you factor in all the considerations you need to keep in mind to get the most out of your compensation and where you can get it from. These can include:
Personal Injury Claims
This can cover your medical expenses, including chiropractic care, regardless of who was at fault for the car accident. Other benefits may also cover lost wages and other related costs.
Health Insurance
Depending on policy terms and coverage limits, your health insurance provider can reimburse you for chiropractic treatments.
Third-Party Liability Claims
If another party’s negligence caused the car accident, you may be able to pursue a third-party liability claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Out-of-Pocket Payments
In some cases, you may need to pay for chiropractic care out of your pocket, particularly if you don’t have insurance or if your insurance doesn’t fully cover the costs. However, it’s essential to keep detailed records of all expenses incurred for potential reimbursement or as evidence in a legal claim.
When Should You Get Chiropractic Treatment?
After seeking medical attention and getting advice from your personal injury lawyer, the perfect time to consider chiropractic treatment is as soon as possible.
Even after getting prescribed pain medication or undergoing the surgery you needed, you might find yourself still feeling the aftereffects of all that bruising or swelling from your auto accident. This is the ideal time to get evaluated by a chiropractor. They can thoroughly examine you to assess your injuries and give you the best treatment plan.
While a medical doctor should always treat dire injuries, other complications like soft tissue damage or spinal misalignment can be easily seen by a chiropractor. If left untreated, such cases can worsen over time, leading to chronic pain or even reduced mobility.
By getting prompt chiropractic care, you can jumpstart the recovery process and expedite your healing journey. Moreover, chiropractors can also create personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs. Depending on what is recommended, they may include spinal adjustments, therapeutic exercises, and other techniques to optimize your recovery.
