chiropractic care after a car accident
Physiotherapist giving back massage to a patient in the clinic

How Long After Auto Accident Can You Go to the Chiropractor?

In the days after a car accident, there’s a lot you need to think about. You’re dealing with insurance companies and car repairs, and it’s easy to neglect caring for yourself. But unfortunately, that stiffness in your neck or ache in your back is only likely to worsen in the weeks and months after your accident.

 

It’s common for injuries that seem minor at the time of your accident to get worse over time, which is why it’s essential to be proactive about getting the care you need. Here’s what you need to know about chiropractic treatment after a car accident.

When is chiropractic care needed following a car accident? 

An injury can occur even in a seemingly minor auto accident. A low-speed collision with a car at a stoplight or as you’re backing out of a parking space can cause enough damage to your body to require medical attention. Soft tissue injuries like whiplash can result in chronic pain if left untreated. In fact, most whiplash injuries happen in collisions with only relatively minor vehicle damage.

 

It goes without saying that you should seek medical attention at the nearest emergency room if you’re seriously hurt following a car accident. But even if your pain is only mild, you should still seek medical care.

 

You may decide to visit a medical doctor for your injury, but they’ll probably recommend painkillers or muscle relaxers to treat the injury’s symptoms rather than its underlying cause. Other medical professionals may refer you to a physical therapist. At Kim Chiropractic & Rehab, we take the optimal approach—chiropractic care to ease your pain combined with physical therapy to help strengthen and rehabilitate the injured area after your accident.

Why should I get a chiropractic evaluation after a car accident? 

It’s best to visit a chiropractor for a consultation even if you’re not experiencing pain. Injuries sustained in car accidents often cause no discomfort initially. Instead, the pain manifests weeks or months later. The at-fault party’s insurance company will not likely cover the expense of treating your injuries if you wait that long to seek treatment. For this reason, it’s recommended that patients receive a chiropractic evaluation no later than two weeks following an automobile accident.

 

Why should you visit a chiropractor instead of your primary care doctor following a car accident? Chiropractic doctors specialize in treating auto accident injuries and their associated symptoms, such as neck pain, back pain, headaches, shoulder pain, numbness, and tingling. We can diagnose and treat your injuries using advanced technology and the most effective techniques. We’ll help you regain your lost range of motion, overcome muscle weakness, and eliminate discomfort, muscle spasms, and inflammation. And with prompt treatment, your risk of chronic symptoms decreases.

Learn More About Chiropractic Treatment After a Car Accident

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, it’s in your best interest to seek chiropractic treatment as soon as possible. Contact Kim Chiropractic & Rehab today to schedule a consultation, or call 301-881-1000.

 

Kim Chiropractic & Rehab offers full-body auto accident treatment In Columbia and Rockville, Maryland, and Centreville, Virginia. For your convenience and the best possible outcomes, they offer both chiropractic care and physical therapy rehabilitation in each of their offices. Contact them today to schedule a consultation. Their goal is to help you recover from your accident as quickly and fully as possible.