Why You Need Treatment After a Car Accident
A car accident can change your day in an instant. Even a low-speed collision generates enough force to shift vertebrae, strain muscles, and damage ligaments in your neck and back. The problem is that you might not feel the full extent of your injuries right away.
Adrenaline and the body's natural stress response can mask pain for hours or even days after a crash. Many patients come to Advanced Wellness Chiropractic reporting that they felt fine at the scene but woke up the next morning unable to turn their head.
Getting examined promptly after an accident is one of the best things you can do for your recovery and for your insurance claim.
Delayed Pain Is More Common Than You Think
It is not unusual for car accident symptoms to appear 24 to 72 hours after the collision. In some cases, symptoms develop gradually over the course of a week or two. Common delayed symptoms include:
- Neck stiffness and pain
- Headaches that start at the base of the skull
- Shoulder or upper back tightness
- Low back pain that was not there before the accident
- Numbness or tingling in the arms or hands
- Dizziness or difficulty concentrating
Just because pain is delayed does not mean the injury is minor. Soft tissue injuries like whiplash can cause long-term problems if they are not treated properly. Our companion article on what to do after a car accident covers the steps you should take immediately following a collision.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is the most common car accident injury. It happens when your head is thrown forward and then snapped backward rapidly, like the cracking of a whip. This violent motion can damage the muscles, ligaments, discs, and joints in your neck.
Symptoms of whiplash include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Reduced range of motion when turning your head
- Headaches that radiate from the neck
- Tenderness in the shoulders and upper back
- Fatigue and irritability
Whiplash can vary from mild to severe. Without proper treatment, even moderate whiplash can lead to chronic neck pain that lasts months or years.
How We Treat Car Accident Injuries
At Advanced Wellness Chiropractic, our car accident treatment program is designed to address the full scope of auto injuries. Dr. Je'an-Claude Bordeaux uses a combination of therapies matched to your specific injuries.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Chiropractic adjustments are one part of care after a collision.
Gentle, targeted adjustments restore proper alignment and allow your body's natural healing process to work the way it should.
Soft Tissue Therapy
Muscle strains and ligament sprains are inevitable in most car accidents. Active Muscle Release and Graston Technique help break up scar tissue and adhesions that form as these injuries heal. Without soft tissue treatment, these adhesions can limit your mobility permanently.
Shockwave Therapy
For stubborn injuries that are not responding to initial treatment, shockwave therapy may be considered for some tendon problems. This therapy sends acoustic waves into the injured area, increasing blood flow and breaking down calcified tissue.
The Importance of Early Treatment
We encourage getting evaluated early after a car accident. Here is why:
- Inflammation is easier to manage early. Fresh injuries respond better to treatment than chronic ones.
- Scar tissue has not set in yet. The longer you wait, the more fibrous adhesions form in damaged tissue.
- Your insurance claim is stronger. Documentation of injuries and treatment that begins promptly after an accident supports your claim.
- You avoid compensatory injuries. When one area hurts, your body shifts stress to other areas, creating new problems.
What the Research Says
Active care after whiplash: A randomized trial published in Spine (Rosenfeld et al., 2000) followed 97 patients with whiplash from motor vehicle collisions. At six months, an active mobilization program had reduced pain more than a standard program of rest and a soft collar. A three-year follow-up (Rosenfeld et al., 2003) found that the active approach still showed less pain and sick leave, and that delaying the start of care by two weeks did not change those outcomes.
Chiropractic care for chronic whiplash: A small retrospective study published in Injury (Woodward et al., 1996) reviewed 28 patients referred with chronic whiplash symptoms and reported that 26 of them (93%) improved following chiropractic treatment. The study had no comparison group, and its authors called for a randomized controlled trial.
Who is at risk of lasting symptoms: A multicentre cohort study published in Pain (Sterling et al., 2012) followed 286 people with acute whiplash and found that initial neck disability and cold pain sensitivity predicted disability at 12 months.
We Work with Auto Insurance
Navigating insurance after a car accident can be overwhelming. At Advanced Wellness Chiropractic, we can help with records and billing questions. Situations we see include:
- Medical payments coverage (MedPay), which is optional coverage that some auto policies include
- Third-party liability claims
- Attorney-referred cases
- Uninsured motorist claims
Payment depends on the available policy benefits, claim status, and any agreed billing arrangement. An accident claim does not guarantee coverage or a zero balance, so discuss your responsibility with our office before treatment begins.
What to Do Right After an Accident
If you have been in a car accident, here are the steps to take:
- Get a medical evaluation. Even if you feel fine, get checked. This documents your condition.
- Document everything. Take photos, get a police report, and save all records.
- Contact your insurance company. Report the accident, but avoid giving recorded statements without legal advice.
- Schedule a chiropractic evaluation. The sooner you are examined by a specialist, the better your treatment outcome.
- Follow your treatment plan. Consistency is key to recovery.
Do Not Wait to Get Help
If you have been in a car accident in Bridgeton, MO, or the surrounding areas of St. Ann, Maryland Heights, Hazelwood, or greater St. Louis, Advanced Wellness Chiropractic can help. Dr. JC has extensive experience treating auto injuries and will create a recovery plan designed for your specific situation.
New to our office? Learn what to expect at your first chiropractic visit. Schedule your post-accident evaluation today or call (636) 393-8390. The sooner you start, the sooner you recover.
