When Should I See a Chiropractor After a Car Accident?

How Long Should I Go to Chiropractor After Accident

Suffering a car accident is life-changing, even if your injuries are minor. If you’re dealing with pain after a crash, it’s possible that a chiropractor can help you get your body back into alignment. All it takes is a phone call to book an appointment, and we are available whenever you need us.

But then what? You’ve booked your first appointment and have your visit on your schedule. You may be wondering how long you’ll have to make chiropractic appointments. Well, we’re here to get down to the nitty-gritty and answer, how long should I go to a chiropractor after an accident? However, the response to this question will vary depending on the severity of the incident and your injuries.

Related: What to Wear to Your Chiropractor Appointment?

Let’s go over some of the typical outcomes of a car accident and how long each scenario needs treatment.

Preventative Chiropractic Care

The first scenario is for small mishaps like fender benders or run-off collisions. You haven’t sustained any major or minor injuries and can walk away from the scene intact. You could choose a chiropractor even if you don’t have any visible signs of trauma. Preventative care is paramount in helping you mentally get back into the swing of things. Plus, you never know what your doctor will find. The internal imprint of the accident could have affected your body without physical symptoms.

In cases of preventative care, you should go to a chiropractor for a month. Schedule a visit as soon as possible after your car accident so that your practitioner can spot any issues early. Going earlier helps you reduce the overall number of visits you’ll need.

Try to schedule at least four once-a-week sessions in that period. You could also schedule an appointment once a month over four months. Speak to your chiropractor to determine the best course of action. To aid your recovery, ask your chiropractor for stretches or routines you can do at home between appointments. As you continue to see your chiropractor, it is always a best practice to drink water after your appointment. 

Dealing with Minor Injuries

Whether you are experiencing back pain or have a sore knee, the auto accident left you worse for wear. You should go to a chiropractor as soon as you’re able after the incident. If left untreated, the minor injury could quickly become worse.

Visiting a chiropractor soon after the accident can reduce the risk that your injuries will get worse and can help prevent the onset of migraines, muscle spasms, and pain. You’ll need about the same time in treatment as those going for preventative reasons. Aim for four sessions, but consider after that whether you will benefit from more visits.

Suffering from Whiplash

After your auto accident, if you have been experiencing whiplash, seeking a chiropractor’s help is essential. Whiplash is painful, long-lasting, and can result in chronic pain. Unfortunately, no two cases of whiplash look the same. You’ll want to seek chiropractic care to learn the specifics of your situation and what you can do to heal.

With whiplash, time is of the essence. If you wait until after settling the insurance claim, you could risk developing chronic pain. Your back, neck, and joints will thank you for making an appointment sooner rather than later. Unlike pain medication, chiropractic care will give you long-term solutions.

Since each case is individual, we can’t give you an exact timeline for recovery. Listen to your body and discuss with your chiropractor how long they think you should attend appointments.

Whiplash Treatment Plan

A side effect of whiplash is the neck, muscle, and back pain and stiffness. The chiropractic care you receive will target these areas. Along with healing in in-house treatment sessions, your chiropractor will give you exercises, activities, and tasks to help you recover further at home.

Whiplash Treatment from a chiropractor can include:

When choosing a chiropractor, think in the long term. You’ll want someone who you feel comfortable working with for an extended time and who offers a range of treatment options depending on your injury. You should seek a professional who tailors the treatment plan to your pain, needs, and lifestyle.

Experiencing Painful Effects

Maybe you aren’t experiencing whiplash, but the pain from your auto accident is severe. In this case, seeing a chiropractor can help you ease your suffering. A traditional doctor will prescribe you pain medication, which is good for immediate relief but doesn’t treat the cause of the pain.

If you go to see a chiropractor, your practitioner will provide a multi-faceted treatment plan to manage your pain. Alongside possible muscle and spinal manipulations, you’ll work with them to implement lifestyle changes you can keep up at home to aid your recovery between visits.

Your chiropractor will work with you to tailor the treatment plan to your schedule, but they will recommend that you prioritize your injury treatment. Starting and maintaining a treatment plan early will address any back, neck, and shoulder pain you sustained in the accident and help prevent further side effects from occurring down the line, like migraines, chronic pain, and aches. You should be prepared to prioritize chiropractor appointments and daily exercise routines.

If your auto accident injuries were severe, ongoing chiropractic treatment is recommended. Again, there’s no steadfast timeline for recovery – but regular chiropractor appointments and professional advice for home treatments will ensure that your recovery is far faster and more effective than if you don’t seek chiropractic care.

Any Other Questions?

Hopefully, this article fully answered your question of how long should I go to a chiropractor after an accident? If you have any further queries, you can contact our office. We are located in Citrus Heights, California, but we’d be happy to discuss your auto accident injuries no matter where you are living.

If you are in the area, feel free to drop by our clinic during office hours. You can also call us or send an email with any questions. Don’t let back pain or injury from a car accident hold you back. Visit Sunrise Chiropractic to get your life back on track.

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