7 Surprising Reasons to See a Chiropractor After an Auto Accident
We have a million things on our mind every day, and lots of planning and checking-in occurs. Then there is the secondary level of planning that is less frequently discussed, such as what to do in a fire, or how to handle a hurricane. Perhaps we even have emergency plans for some what-ifs and etc. But in the topic of what to do in a car accident, the concept of chiropractic visits doesn’t immediately enter discussion where ERs and insurance companies dominate the scene.
Accident injury doctors come in a few various forms, but going to a chiropractor after a car accident needs to start being recognized as a first-response. When you choose to make a chiropractic visit immediately following a car accident, you are preventing a multitude of potential issues, whether you “feel” like you need to be adjusted or not. The impact alone is enough to shift things internally that would otherwise wreak havoc if left unattended.
Here are 7 reasons why going to your chiro after an accident is essential. Some of these may just surprise you!
1) You’ve been whipped out of shape:
Whiplash is no joke. This one injury affects over 3 million every year, with over half of cases reported as directly linked to an auto injury. According to Palmer Chiropractic, the motion of whipping any body part back and then forward like whiplash causes micro tears in surrounding ligaments. The big problem is misunderstanding the symptoms, or deciding against care post-accident, thinking you are just “fine”. However, so many chronic problems arise after an accident that end up being “resolved” with surgery, medication, or more involved though unwanted additions to our lives. Any of these symptoms are possible after a car crash, correlated to whiplash: blurred vision, neck pain, headaches, dizziness, shoulder pain, reduced range of motion in the neck, arm pain, neck stiffness, low back pain. Visiting your chiropractor immediately after an auto accident can prevent these, start the healing process, and minimize the time you deal with after-effects.
2) The uninvited guests whiplash
While whiplash is a serious enough reason alone, multiple other types of injuries are common as direct result of an auto accident. Some of these may not even be immediately evident, or you may not be aware of how intensely you’ve been impacted. The list includes injuries to the head, bones, torso, neck, hand/arm, shoulder, foot/leg.
All of these further spread into their own worlds of injuries and life quality can be severely impacted by the one incident. A chiropractor will be able to assess where the source of the problem lies, and help you make a plan to resolve the issue. Many times the method will also prevent future surgeries or compounded problems, when caught soon enough.
3) Florida’s auto accident laws allow you more choice for treatment than you’re aware of:
If you have Florida insurance…you have PIP! Personal Injury Protection is a part of every Florida auto insurance policy. This lesser known part of your plan can make a huge difference to your treatment after a car accident. While medical doctors, hospital tests, and other things are often needed after a crash, chiropractic care is equally crucial… and is covered by PIP laws. Check with your policy to get an idea of specifics, so that if the unfortunate and unexpected does happen to you (or anyone you know!), you are already set with a plan of action for healing and help.
4) 14 days, and not a penny more!
According to Florida Injury Law, “You must obtain medical care within 14 days if you suffer injuries in a traffic accident in Florida, or else run the risk of your insurance company denying your claim.” This is essential to understand and not allow the overwhelm of an accident cause you to delay seeking treatment.
If pursued in this timeframe, however, a claimant is potentially able to receive coverage for: up to $10,000 medical/disability benefits, up to $5,000 in death benefits, up to 80% coverage for surgeries/x-rays/rehabilitation services, and/or up to 80% coverage for hospitalization/nursing/ambulance fees. This is due to PIP.
5) You don’t have to do this alone:
There are many options for car accident victims to immediately receive help or advice after the incident. Auto accident clinics such as East Coast Injury are created for the sole purpose of getting you from crash-confusion to a much safer, secure place. Beyond that, chiropractors are often equipped with networks and knowledge to not only care for your needs in the office, but refer you to next steps for healing. Chiropractic offices such as East Coast Injury welcome patients from auto accidents, understanding the traumatic experience recently lived through and extending whole person compassion.
6) Pain management is possible:
Chiropractic treatment is intended to bring a patient back into alignment (literally) with their optimal capacity. Pain is a serious distress, and without resolve can cause depression and worsening of symptoms as the body tries to adapt. According to Palmer Chiropractic, auto accident victims have reported up to 80% improvement in pain after only a few weeks of care immediately following their accident. Soft tissue damage can otherwise cause terror in the body for months after an incident, as can weakened muscles. Chiropractic work and technique can also restore mobility at a highly expedited speed and strengthen the body to allow full healing.
7) Quality of life:
Chiropractors are trained to treat a person from head to toe without invasive methods or the use of pharmaceuticals. While these certainly have their place, surgeries and drugs are often not the “only option” as they are toted in many cases. Both, especially in conjunction, often result in lifelong dependency and serious change in a person’s ability to enjoy life as they knew it. With the skills and perspective of a chiropractor, many people have been able to avoid the hospitalization + surgery + drug + bigger drug cycle that others become engulfed by.
Whether you guessed these reasons or not, all of them are solid motivation to give your post-crash plan a bit of time and energy. By doing this, you will not only be equipped to handle the worse with more ease, but potentially save yourself from allowing the aftermath to absorb any more time than absolutely necessary. Auto accident injuries treated by chiropractic care and compassion are often healed in record time, sometimes even accomplishing the “impossible” according to other diagnoses.
For any auto accident we recommend you reach out to:
East Coast Injury Clinic – Chiropractor & Neurologist
10550 Deerwood Park Blvd. #609
Jacksonville, FL 32256
(904) 513-3954
