Should I Go to a Chiropractor After a Car Crash?
If you ever find yourself injured in a car accident, it’s important to seek immediate medical care. The responding emergency personnel can evaluate your injuries at the scene of the crash, and make sure you are transported to the hospital, but the rest is up to you. It’s now in your own hands to follow all of the doctor’s orders when it comes to rehabilitating your injury and caring for yourself.
This could very well include seeking care from a chiropractor. A chiropractor is a licensed practitioner, much like a physical therapist, who specializes in treating conditions affecting the muscles, tendons, and tissues. They are not doctors, though they are required to obtain a Doctor of Chiropractic degree.
Your primary care physician (PCP) will be able to recommend whether or not you should visit a chiropractor following a car accident. He or she may recommend this type of care to:
- Help reduce scar tissue
- Help reduce inflammation
- Reduce pain without the use of drugs
- Help restore the range of motion
- Help reduce pain throughout your entire body
- Help you avoid long-term pain
Not all car accident injuries will be immediately apparent. Some may take a few hours, or even a couple of days, to fully manifest. This is especially true in “minor” car accidents, because the damage done to your vehicle will not always equate with the level of injury you sustained. For example, MIST (minor impact soft tissue) injuries like whiplash can worsen over time. This is why you should speak to your doctor immediately. You don’t want to be barred from claiming compensation for medical bills because you waited too long.
Potential problems with your insurance company
Sometimes, the insurance company will fight back when it comes to honoring chiropractic claims. This is especially true if you decide to visit a chiropractor instead of your regular doctor. It is not that chiropractic claims aren’t compensable; it’s that insurance companies generally take issue with homeopathic remedies.
You may want to consider making an appointment with a physical therapist instead, as insurance companies are less likely to fight those claims. If your injuries are serious enough, consult with an orthopedic surgeon, and ask about your options.
Suffering an injury in a car accident does not have to ruin your life. It will be difficult dealing with the injury, but you surely don’t have to live with the pain. Contact an experienced Charlotte car accident attorney from the team of Warren & Kallianos, PLLC as soon as possible. Call our office at 704-377-7777 or complete a contact form on the website to schedule a free consultation.
At Warren & Kallianos, we believe in the importance of working directly with our attorneys, Jeff Warren and Chris Kallianos. When you work with our firm, Jeff and Chris are always accessible to you throughout the progress of your case.
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