When you are injured in a car accident, it’s a good idea to make sure that you get the medical care you need. This can be a little difficult at times, though, because sometimes the injuries from a car accident don’t become apparent for a few days.
It’s important to make sure that you are checked out by a health-care professional soon after your accident, and that you consider returning for a follow up. Pay attention to your body, and how you feel following a car accident. This is important if you want to avoid problems later.
One of the health-care providers that might be able to help you with injuries from a car accident is a chiropractor. Find out whether your insurance company will cover chiropractor visits or, if you have been injured through the fault of another, the other insurance company will cover the visits. If not, you might need the help of a personal injury attorney to get the care you need.
Choosing a Reputable Chiropractor
These days, legitimate chiropractors go through a rigorous program of training to learn how to help treat certain types of injuries. However, there are still plenty of quacks practicing, and you could be taken advantage of if you aren’t careful.
It’s important to choose your chiropractor carefully. Be wary of practitioners who insist on “special” tests, such as those involved with Biological Terrain Assessment or that use a Toftness device. The most reliable and reputable chiropractors base their practices in medical science and don’t purport to cure diseases or try to “prescribe” you vitamin supplements or homeopathic remedies.
Also, watch out for those who try to get you to sign long-term contracts for treatment. Instead, you want to look for those who are more conservative in their approach, and that use long-accepted chiropractic practices that involve certain at-home exercises, careful manipulation (sometimes recommending the use of massage), and heat or ice packs. In many cases, your doctor can help you find a reputable chiropractor to help you with your recovery.
Once you have a reputable chiropractor, it’s possible for you to get help with certain car accident injuries.
Types of Injuries a Chiropractor Can Treat
While there are chiropractors that claim they can help you with a number of injuries and diseases, most reputable chiropractors concentrate on back pain, neck pain, and other musculoskeletal issues. These are common injuries in a car accident, especially minor accidents. You do need to pay attention to the possibility of fractures, since you might need more than chiropractic help in these cases. A good chiropractor can recognize the signs, and can help you get the right diagnosis. Some chiropractors make use of ultrasounds and x-rays in appropriate situations to help pinpoint your problem (watch out for those that jump to these expensive tests immediately, though).
If you feel stiffness or soreness in your neck or back after a car accident, it might make sense to see a chiropractor. If you are uncomfortable doing so, you can see your regular health care provider for suggestions on who to see. That way, you can avoid disreputable chiropractors. Your personal injury attorney might also have insight into professionals who are reputable and who can help you move forward with the right chiropractic treatment.
If you are having trouble getting an insurance company to pay for your treatment, your personal injury attorney can usually help. In many cases, a chiropractor can help you recover from some of the issues that arise from a car accident. With your lawyer on your side, you can get the resources you need to make a complete recovery.
