CAR ACCIDENT TREATMENT OPTIONS

Part 2 : Chiropractic (Chiro)

Car crashes can be quite dangerous and may feel overwhelming to recover from. It is so important to have a team of doctors who are there to help support you through the process. Two weeks ago, we talked about the benefit of choosing a physical therapist to add to your healthcare team. Another medical professional that can be paramount to your recovery journey is a chiropractor.

Do I need to see a chiropractor?

Chances are high that a chiropractor can help you after your car injury. Licensed chiropractors, like the ones here at BC + PT, are all specially trained to handle accident injuries. Chiropractors focus specifically on injuries to the neck and spine, and use not only physical manipulations, but also orthopedic and neurological tests to evaluate if there is damage to your soft tissue structures, such as your muscles or ligaments, or injuries to bones or nerves that may have not been examined yet. More simply put, they use adjustments and physical examinations to see what other doctors may not have been able to pick up on.

Some offices, like BC + PT, are able to utilize state-of-the-art diagnostic testing, such as CRMA testing, EMG’s or MRI’s when medically necessary to help fully understand the nature or the injuries you’re experiencing. When it comes to your health and wellbeing after such a stressful situation, having more than one professional opinion is important! Consulting a specialist who is trained to find those injuries, such as a chiropractor or a physical therapist, is definitely a step in the right direction while you heal.

But it’s usually not enough to just have a chiropractor or single provider to work with. After a car accident, you may be working with several medical professionals, including surgeons, primary care doctors, pain management specialists, and more. It’s important for your chiropractor to work closely with these professionals to make sure you’re getting the best treatment possible (which BC + PT does!).

Chiropractic benefits

If you’ve been in a car crash, it’s important to see a chiropractor who is able to specialize in spine and soft tissue. These chiropractors are able to find the areas of the spine which are not moving properly, or are hypermobile, and help restore motion. They can also find hypermobile areas that move too much and treat them with stabilization exercises- this is helpful in a whiplash injury, for example, which our BC + PT chiropractors are specially trained in.

While chiropractors are most famous for adjustments and spinal manipulation, these modalities aren’t always the right choice for some regions of the spine- or even some people! That’s why chiropractors have a tool box consisting of other options for these types of injuries, including physical rehab or modalities such as electrical stimulation or ultrasound.

Another benefit of chiropractic care is the ease of access. Chiropractors at BC + PT don't need a referral or a script to evaluate your injuries, even under no-fault insurance, the insurance that pays for most auto injuries. Having a chiropractor on your team can play an important role in your recovery.

Chiropractic, physical therapy, or both?

While separated, both chiropractic care and physical therapy will benefit you in different ways, with different methods, however you do have a third option: BOTH! By having our team of BC + PT chiropractors and physical therapists working together in the same practice, we can help eliminate any guesswork about the quality of care or the true nature of your injuries. Your communication with your doctors is that much easier, AND you have the convenience of not having to go searching for additional providers scattered throughout Western New York.

Now while physical therapists and chiropractors use their expertise a little differently, you may find one to be more effective than the other or best in combination with each other. We are here to modify your treatment plan to what works best for you! Both our chiropractors and physical therapists take advantage of the tools available to them to help make your recovery that much easier. But rest assured, we will stay in contact with your primary care provider or other specialists also involved in your car crash recovery, so everyone is on the same page.

Sometimes auto injuries create havoc on your life. During this time, you may feel overwhelmed or a feeling of uncertainty with a lack of direction. Our BC + PT team has 86 combined years of experience managing these types of injuries! We are happy to be your “quarterback” and help get you on the right road to recovery. If you are ready to take the next step in your post-accident care, contact Buffalo Chiropractic, Acupuncture and Physical Therapy today to get on the road to recovery. Give us a call today or fill out our contact form to schedule your first appointment! Stop waiting and start healing!