First Steps to take after being in an Auto Accident
1. Call your doctor and schedule an appointment with a provider who handles car accident patients.
2. Make sure you let the receptionist who takes your call know that you were involved in an MVA no matter how small. Your chiropractor will likely perform a more detailed exam and take X-RAYS.
3. Arrive early to fill out paperwork. You will likely need an insurance claim number, insurance car and driver’s license. Expect this to take some time as you want as much detail about
the accident and the vehicles involved.
4. Be prepared for your appointment to take anywhere between 1-1.5 hours.
5. Your provider may refer you out for further imaging such as MRI/CT or other specialist doctors depending on the extent of your injurie's
Common Questions and FAQs
Why don’t you feel neck pain right after the accident?
Sometimes car accident victims don’t feel any pain or discomfort immediately after an accident. This is because the adrenaline from the trauma can mask any pain, and you may only start to feel it a few days or weeks after the incident. This is why it’s so important to consult a chiropractor as soon as possible. They can detect any underlying issues and start the process of healing right away.
How soon should you see a chiropractor after an accident?
It’s best to consult a chiropractor as soon as possible after the accident. We recommend seeing a chiropractor within two weeks of the accident. Doing so will ensure that any underlying issues can be addressed before they worsen and cause more damage.
Why manual treatment is better for car accident victims?
Manual chiropractic treatments are often the best option for car accident victims as they can target both the pain and the underlying cause. Manual treatments such as adjustments, trigger point therapy, and soft tissue manipulation can help reduce pain, improve range of motion, and promote healing. This is why manual treatments are often recommended for car accident victims vs. just masking the pain with medications.
What can I Do at Home?
Inflammation is a common consequence of physical injury. While some amount of inflammation is normal and indicates your body’s attempts to heal itself, too much can be harmful to your tissues and can cause discomfort. Some things you can do at home to help are: ice the swollen and tender areas, sleep on a cervical pillow and on your back(if possible) use a rolled-up towel or cervical traction block to give some relief to the neck area, avoid inflammatory foods such as simple carbs, excess gluten, sugar and dairy as they will make the inflammation and pain worse.
Most importantly, seek medical attention as soon as possible to get your injuries examined. Even small accidents can cause long-term injuries that worsen as you age.