When it comes to your health, even minor car wrecks can cause problems. Delaying chiropractic treatment after a car accident can cause more serious issues.
Injury to the spinal cord is one of the most common problems resulting from an auto accident. Headaches, concussions, and emotional disorders such as PTSD are also common following a crash, but these injuries often go undiagnosed because people may not feel pain or discomfort right away. In fact, Dr. Hamel says that most new car accident patients don’t always feel all of their symptoms until about 2 weeks after the initial car crash. The patients usually notice something right away of course, like neck pai, headaches or back pain; but other symptoms can come later.
When it comes to your health, even a minor accident needs to be taken seriously. Unfortunately, delaying chiropractic treatment can cause more serious problems in the long run. If you’re asking, “should I see a chiropractor after a car accident?” the reasons listed below will help you see that the answer is yes.
Why Should I See a Chiropractor After a Car Accident?
1. You May Have Invisible or Hidden Injuries:
Not all injuries sustained during a car accident are immediately visible or noticeable. The rush of adrenaline and immense sense of relief when you realize you’re not seriously injured can mask the pain for several hours or days. In some cases, it takes time for the inflammation caused by an injury to begin putting pressure on nerves. It is very common for symptoms of whiplash to be delayed. At his office, car accident chiropractor, Dr. Hamel uses thermal scanning to see areas of hidden inflammation indicating injury or damage. Dr. Hamel always recommends coming in right away after a whiplash injury as long as the patient is cleared for fracture or concussion. Seeing a Kingwood chiropractic doctor as soon as possible after a car accident will help promote healing of the spinal joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons that have been injured.
2. To Avoid Long-term Injury:
Delaying treatment for injuries received in a car crash can lead to bigger problems down the line. For example, whiplash can develop into a chronic issue with pain that lasts for years if not treated promptly and properly. And minor pain can become a major problem if it's ignored for too long. We have seen it many times; where a patient comes in for back pain and when asked if they ever were involved in a car accident they say yes, a few years ago. Dr. Hamel asks them if they received any treatment and often times they say no. Damage to the spine is serious in whiplash injuries, the tissues and joints take time to heal, and that only happens when they get the right chiropractic care. Dr. Hamel goes on to say that he has seen car accident victims come in to his office after a low-speed accident and they are in bad shape; they just got hit the wrong way and they has significant injuries. It is best to get checked after an accident, you have nothing to lose, if an examination shows injuries, you will be glad you came in to see.
3. To Protect Your Legal Rights:
Filing a claim will be easier with a record of medical care. If the accident was another driver’s fault, it might be necessary to take legal action. Though it’s never a simple process, having proof of diagnosed injuries and a documented treatment record from your Kingwood chiropractor increases your odds of success in a legal battle. Unfortunately, with car crash accidents and injuries the insurance companies require lots of paperwork; they want to know the details like the speed of the accident, did the air bags go off, was the vehicle a total write off, did the patients go to the emergency room, and have their symptoms worsened since the date of the accident. During the chiropractic treatment the insurance company wants to know how the patient is responding to treatment, how it is affecting their daily life, work and activities, do they need to take medicine or have they had to miss work.
4. To Relieve Overall Pain:
The moment you realize you’re about to be involved in a car accident, your entire body tenses up. While you may not receive any major injuries, it’s common to have sore muscles or feel “out of whack” after an impact. These problems may not be life-threatening, but they can still get in the way of your everyday life. Think about how much pressure a whiplash injury causes on your body, your arms and hands are tense on the steering wheel, if you see the accident coming you are usually as stiff as a board at the point of impact. You might have damage to the spinal joints, your shoulder from the seatbelt, your face and body from the airbags deploying and other injuries.
Any injuries or spinal issues you had before the accident may worsen or act up again after years of improvement. By manipulating the spine, your chiropractor can help your body manage your car accident injuries naturally without drugs or invasive procedures. Dr. Hamel always tells his patients that they deserve to feel as good or a close to 100% as possible as they did before the whiplash accident. Watch out if the insurance company is trying to settle early or get you to take a small, lump sum offer. We see this with almost every car accident claim says Dr. Hamel, the insurance company really makes it difficult on the injured patient; trying to get them to settle their case as soon as possible. On the other hand, most fender bender accidents that Dr. Hamel sees are serious but not life threatening; most of my cases are not settle for hundreds of thousands of dollars; we usually treat our patients with chiropractic care for anywhere from 8 weeks- 6 months tops. We really strive to get their spine restored and them living a pain free, active lifestyle as soon as possible; that is what most patients want.
Don’t Wait, See Your Car Accident Chiropractor Right Away
Don’t waste time asking yourself, “should I see a chiropractor after a car accident?” Reach out to Hamel Chiropractic and Wellness—the sooner you schedule an appointment, the sooner you’ll start feeling better. Dr. Hamel has over 24 years of experience treating car accident patients in the Kingwood and north Houston, Texas communities. Dr. Hamel’s office will take care of everything for you, including giving you the comprehensive chiropractic care you need to get back to your normal, pain free self; just like you were before the car wreck. His office will file all of the claims and paperwork with the insurance company so you won’t have to stress about any of that. As a car accident patient, all you have to do is participate in your chiropractic care, do your exercises and listen to Dr. Hamel’s recommendations to get you back to a pain free lifestyle as quickly as possible.
What To Do Next-Book Your Initial Car Accident Appointment
At Hamel Chiropractic and Wellness there a few ways to book appointments. The easiest way is from our website, click the Book Online button, pick a day and time and we will get you set up. Occasionally his office does have same day appointments so if you really need to come in, don't wait. If you have other questions about cost, insurance or appointments please give the office a call 281-360-8387, they are happy to help.
FAQ
Is it safe to see a chiropractor right after a car accident?
Answer: Understandably, safety is a primary concern after an accident. This question addresses the immediate need for care and whether chiropractic treatment is advisable without exacerbating any potential injuries. Dr. Hamel always recommends getting chiropractic treatment right way after a car wreck as long as the patient is cleared for fracture or concussion. The longer you wait for the spine and muscle to stiffen up before getting treatment; the tougher it is on the patient. We have seen car accident patients come in over the years who were in severe pain; but as their chiropractic care plan goes on they start seeing great results; getting out of pain and being able to do the things they like to do like work, golf, or go to the gym.
What specific benefits can chiropractic care offer after a car accident?
Answer: Dr. Hamel says there is tremendous stress in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine after a car wreck; the pressure needs to be released in order for the body to start healing and getting rid of pain.
How soon should I see a chiropractor after a car accident?
Answer: Timing can be crucial in addressing injuries effectively. This question helps individuals gauge the urgency of seeking chiropractic care post-accident and whether delaying treatment could impact their recovery outcomes. When it comes to chiropractic care for whiplash injuries, the sooner the better says Dr. Hamel. We always make sure the patient does not have signs of a concussion or a fracture; and then they are clear. The damage done to the spinal joints, extremities, muscles and ligaments can be significant in a car wreck so it is important to begin chiropractic treatments as soon as we can. The healing can only begin when we can reduce inflammation, take pressure off of the spine and get the joints back in alignment. If car accident injuries are left untreated for weeks or months Dr. Hamel says, it can take a lot longer for the chiropractic treatments to give results and benefits for the patient.
What types of injuries can chiropractors treat following a car accident?
Answer: Many people may not be aware of the range of injuries chiropractors can address, such as whiplash, back pain, neck pain, and other musculoskeletal issues. The main injuries we see in car accident patients are low back pain, headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain and wrist pain. The impact of the car wreck can cause these injuries but also other things like a seat belt, air bags or projectiles flying around in the car can contribute to aches and pains.
Will my insurance cover chiropractic care for injuries sustained in a car accident?
Answer: Yes, Dr. Hamel offers a few different insurance plans that cover chiropractic care and treatment after a car accident. He accepts all patients involved in car crashes that have their own PIP on their auto policy. Personal Injury Protection, (PIP), covers any medical treatment the patient gets after their car accident. His office accepts PIP insurance from Geico, USAA, Progressive, Allstate, Farmers, Travelers, State Farm, Nationwide and more. The limits of PIP are set by Texas law at $2500, $5000, $7500 or $10000; the patient has to check with their insurance agent to see what their limits are. For all PIP covered care the patient has NO out-of-pocket expenses for their treatment. For PIP auto coverage Dr. Hamel’s office takes care of all of the filing with the insurance company. If the patient has no PIP insurance Dr. Hamel does accept medical insurance from Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna. When using medical insurance the patient may have a deductible to meet or co-pay for each chiropractic visit; Dr. Hamel says our patients pay any where from $15 to $65 for co-pays. For all medical insurance, the filing for Blue Cross Blue Shield or Aetna is done by Hamel Chiropractic and Wellness. For patients who do not have any medical insurance there is a 3rd option to pay for care using self-pay discounts or HSA/FSA health spending cards.
