Most individuals see their family physician or general practitioner after an automobile accident or other common personal injury/s. However, seeing a chiropractor is more beneficial. Chiropractors specialize in treating, rehabilitating, and strengthening the musculoskeletal system after different types of personal injuries. Auto accidents are the most common personal injuries. The next most common type of injury comes from slip and fall accidents. These accidents are a leading cause of hip and head injuries. A chiropractor can help with injuries that involve the:

• Muscles
• Tendons
• Joints
• Ligaments
• Hips
• Neck
• Shoulders
• Spine
• Nervous System

Chiropractors are specifically suited to help individuals recover after one of these accidents. Because of this individuals are turning to chiropractic treatment after an auto accident or a slip and fall accident.

Who pays for chiropractic treatment after an accident

There are many different factors that determine who pays for chiropractic treatment after an accident. However, the party that is at fault or the insurance company usually handles the chiropractic care expenses. A chiropractor also provides records and reports detailing an individual’s injuries. This is for the chiropractic care that the at-fault party will be covering. However, an individual must prove, with the help of the chiropractor, that they did suffer an injury as a result of the accident. Pre-existing injuries typically are not covered. Chiropractic personal injury specialists are well-versed/trained on accident and injury claims.  

Injury claims and chiropractic expenses

An injury claim usually covers most if not all chiropractic treatment expenses following an accident. This often involves dealing with insurance companies and lawyers. It depends on the situation/circumstances of the accident. A personal injury chiropractic specialist keeps updated records and provides the individual with the assistance needed for a successful claim, as well as, for treating the injuries and getting the individual back to optimal health.  

Lawyers and chiropractors

After an accident, talking to a lawyer about filing a personal injury claim means they may recommend seeing a chiropractor. This is normal procedure for personal injury claims. Personal injury cases are rarely closed before the individual filing the claim is fully healed. If the individual is still being treated, the total cost of the medical expenses is still unknown. Only when the treatment is done can a lawyer present the total cost of the medical bills. This is because chiropractors are also specialists that can diagnose and treat injuries that general physicians or doctors can miss. Whiplash and back problems are two common injuries that happen as a result of auto accidents.  

How long to wait before seeing a chiropractor after an accident

How long the individual waits to see a chiropractor after an accident is up to the individual. However, it is highly recommended to see a chiropractor as soon as possible following an accident to get treatment going before the injury/s worsens and inflammation sets in. The injuries can still be treated, but it could take longer to heal them properly if they have set in. For example, whiplash treatment can take anywhere from 2 to several sessions, depending on the severity of the injury to the muscles and ligaments of the neck.  

The benefits of seeing a chiropractor after an accident

The benefits of chiropractic treatment after an accident includes:

Specialized treatment

Most personal injury claims involve injuries to the back, neck, muscles, and joints. Chiropractic treatment provides effective care immediately.  

Reduced pain and inflammation

Chiropractic treats the root cause of the pain, which helps reduce swelling and inflammation. A chiropractor will utilize various techniques/methods that include:

• Heat and ice
• Ultrasound
• Cold laser therapy
• Massage
• Electrical therapy

Improved frame of mind and range of motion

Two major benefits from seeing a chiropractor are an improved frame of mind and range of motion. Stiff muscles and a low mood can become lifted with chiropractic treatment that helps produce positive hormones as muscle tension is worked out and released.

Non-invasive and drug-free

Chiropractors use non-invasive and drug-free treatment methods. They do not prescribe medications or perform surgical procedures that could worsen or cause further injury.  

Chiropractors work with other doctors/specialists

A chiropractor might not be able to help with every injury or aspect of the injury/s. But doctors of chiropractic are members of the medical community. If they feel that they cannot help the individual, they will refer the individual to someone who can or work closely with the individual’s doctor to ensure that safety, overall health, and well-being are the first priority.  

Chiropractic is ideal for whiplash

Whiplash is a common and often debilitating injury suffered during a motor vehicle accident. One study showed that 93% of whiplash patients showed improvement after chiropractic treatment. Chiropractic for whiplash can help speed up the healing process and involves:

• Pain relief
• Inflammation reduction
• Spinal manipulation
• Chiropractic massage
• Trigger point therapy
• Stretches
• Exercises

Chiropractic can help with stress after an accident

One of the major benefits of chiropractic is stress relief. An accident or injury can generate intense stress and stress and make things worse. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to improve the levels of beneficial chemicals in the body, that can reduce stress. Injuries along with the insurance companies, lawyers, court costs can contribute to sleep, and diet problems.

Conclusion

It is highly recommended to make an appointment with a chiropractor after an accident. They can provide a thorough diagnosis and treatment, reduce the pain and healing time for injuries, as well as provide the necessary records for a personal injury claim. Seeing a chiropractor as soon as possible after an accident is beneficial for rehabilitating and strengthening an individual’s musculoskeletal health.

Body Composition

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Body fat percentage

The body’s fat percentage is a significant number but should not be relied upon as it does not provide an individual with a complete picture of their overall health. In order to maintain a healthy weight and understand the changes that the body experiences over time, an individual needs more specific values. If there is no comparison of body fat percentage to skeletal muscle mass, an individual will not be able to:

• Understand the increases and decreases in body fat percentage
• Maintain a healthy body fat percentage
• Maintain a healthy weight and muscle mass level
• Determine if the muscles are balanced

The body is a very complex system of many components that all work together. This is why it is important to get as much information as possible to understand, maintain a healthy weight and achieve optimal health.

Disclaimer

The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the musculoskeletal system’s injuries or disorders. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP, CIFM, CTG* email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com phone: 915-850-0900 Licensed in Texas & New Mexico

References

Jacobs, Craig L et al. “Musculoskeletal injuries and pain in dancers: a systematic review update.” Journal of dance medicine & science: official publication of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science vol. 16,2 (2012): 74-84. Plaza-Manzano, Gustavo et al. “Changes in biochemical markers of pain perception and stress response after spinal manipulation.” The Journal of orthopedic and sports physical therapy vol. 44,4 (2014): 231-9. doi:10.2519/jospt.2014.4996