Understanding What Happens at the Chiropractor

Car accidents are traumatic events that can lead to significant strain and injury to the body if you do not see a doctor. People often experience neck and back pain from the sudden and violent jolting that can occur. Also, headaches and other issues may arise as a result of the collision.

However, not all injuries require surgical intervention or pain medications from a car injury doctor. In fact, some medications can mask the pain so much that the underlying issues may become worse over time.

Therefore, instead of relying on medicinal and surgical approaches, you may want to ask your physician if other holistic approaches may help. Most of the time, it may be possible to treat aches and pains holistically through physical therapy and chiropractic treatments instead.

Chiropractic therapy performed by a licensed and certified Doctor of Chiropractic is often used to treat injuries sustained during a car accident.

For example, whiplash is a common neck injury that results from the sudden movements and jerking motions related to auto accidents.

Chiropractors are well-suited to treat this type of injury through spinal manipulations and targeted adjustments. However, while chiropractic care might be the best option after a collision, many people avoid treatment because they do not understand the process and are often misinformed.

It is necessary to understand the real process when visiting a Chiropractor to better understand the ways you can benefit from this care after an accident.

1. Interview or Discussion with a Car Injury Doctor

The initial visit to your chiropractor may not even include an adjustment; it all depends on required testing and imaging. However, the overall format will seem somewhat familiar, especially if you have ever visited a typical doctor’s office.

The first thing a chiropractor will do is ask you questions about your injury, pain level and duration. Once they understand your specific problem, they will ask you questions about your medical history.

Questions during this part of the visit will relate to any past injuries, medical conditions, medications, habits, drug and alcohol use and other inquiries about your lifestyle.

With the advent of the digital age, many chiropractic practices have forms you can download and fill out at home to help speed up this phase of your initial visit.

2. Physical Exam

Next, a car accident Doctor of Chiropractic will perform a physical examination to determine the level of your pain and the effect the injury has had on your range of motion. During this phase of the initial exam, the chiropractor may feel your spinal column, ask you to move or walk, and test your reflexes and muscle strength.

3. Additional Testing

After the physical exam, the chiropractor may feel that further testing or imaging is necessary to diagnose your injury and prepare a treatment plan accurately. Most likely, the additional testing will include an x-ray.

While many people are uncomfortable with these devices because of radiation exposure, x-ray machines provide the clearest picture of spinal and neck injuries.

Also, the level of radiation exposure from these machines is minimal and controlled. However, chiropractors will not use this device unless they feel it is necessary for your treatment.

4. Diagnosis and Treatment Options

As with any other auto accident doctor, once the tests are complete, the chiropractor will need to analyze the results. If they were able to conclude the extent of your injuries from your physical exam alone, then you may have your results and diagnosis by the end of your first visit.

However, if more imaging and testing are required, then it may take a couple of days. In either case, the Doctor of Chiropractic will notify you of your treatment options and how they wish to move forward.

5. Treatment Plan and Duration with a Car Injury Doctor

It is not uncommon for your initial treatment plan to include two to three chiropractic visits per week initially. The frequent visits will probably last anywhere from four to six weeks, although they can go longer if the injury requires it.

Most often, after going through the initial treatment phase, your chiropractor will suggest continued care, but it will likely be less frequent, perhaps once a week or month, depending on your condition.

The violent movements of the body during a car accident can lead to a variety of musculoskeletal injuries, many of which will not require surgery.

If you are looking for an auto injury doctor, then contact the chiropractors at City Wide Accident and Injury for an assessment and treatment today.

Understanding What Happens at the Chiropractor| City Wide Injury & Accident – Houston, TX