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The answer to the question of whether you should see a chiropractor after a car accident will depend on many different factors. There is no blanket yes or no answer to this question. This blog will cover some of the issues that could help you decide whether to seek an assessment and possible treatment by a chiropractor after being in a collision.
A New Jersey personal injury attorney could help you answer the question, should I see a chiropractor after a car accident? We will be happy to talk with you about this issue.
Your Injuries
Some kinds of injuries can benefit from chiropractic treatment. Even a minor collision like a fender bender could cause some of these injuries:
- Whiplash
- Soreness
- Soft tissue injuries
- Neck injuries
- Torn or stretched ligaments
- Injuries to the spine or back
- Soft tissue damage
If you suffered one of these injuries, you might want to seek chiropractic treatment. Usually, the recommendation is to see a chiropractor within 72 hours of the collision. If you wait longer than that, there might be a question as to what caused your symptoms.
Whiplash is a common injury after a car accident, particularly in rear-end collisions. Often, it takes a couple of days for the symptoms of whiplash to appear. A person with whiplash might experience these symptoms:
- Neck pain
- Headache
- Shoulder pain
- Back pain, usually in the upper back
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Visual disturbances like blurred vision
- Sensory nerve symptoms like numbness and tingling
A chiropractor can evaluate you and check for other trauma-induced injuries in addition to whiplash.
Other Medical Attention You Received After the Collision
Many people go straight to their doctor’s office or the emergency room after a car crash. If you suffered soft tissue injuries, you were probably sent home with a prescription for pain pills and muscle relaxants and told to rest. While this medical advice can be appropriate, a chiropractic adjustment might help your wounds heal better. You might want to go to a chiropractor for an injury evaluation.
Your Medical History and Past Injuries
If you have a current medical condition like arthritis, or a past injury to an area that got re-injured in a car accident, a chiropractor might be able to relieve your current symptoms and help you with pain management. Chiropractors can offer many forms of treatment, including spinal adjustments, physical therapy, tens units, spinal manipulations, laser acupuncture, and targeted exercises to increase the range of motion of the injured area.
The type of treatment you receive is a highly personal issue. Chiropractors are used to working in tandem with primary care physicians to achieve the maximum healing and restored function possible.
Also, your personal injury lawyer could advise you on whether you should seek an evaluation or treatment by a chiropractor. If you did not have immediate symptoms and did not go to the emergency room after the collision, it could be a good idea to get an evaluation by a chiropractor within 72 hours of the accident to document your injuries from the accident.
A New Jersey personal injury attorney would be happy to talk with you about whether you should go to a chiropractor after a car accident. We offer a free initial consultation with no obligation. Contact our office today.