Car accidents can damage more than our vehicles. Every year, thousands of Kingwood area residents and Houstonians are injured or disabled after being in a car wreck. Don’t take your health and car accident injuries lightly. You might not even realize the extent of your injuries until weeks after the accident. Some of the most severe symptoms, says Dr. Hamel, start showing up 1–2 weeks after the actual accident. Instead of waiting for that pain to appear, consider visiting an auto accident chiropractor . These chiropractors are trained to help patients who have sustained injuries after a whiplash injury. You might need a spinal alignment, physical therapy exercises, pain shots, shockwave therapy, or even surgery if your back and neck pain is severe.
Asking yourself questions like:
- "How long should I go to the chiropractor or get treatment after my accident?"
- "If my car was a total write-off, does that mean my injuries are significant?"
- "Should I just suck it up and deal with my back pain and headaches; I think I can live with this pain?"
- "My insurance company is stressing me out; I don’t know if I want to file an injury claim with them?"
There are so many questions to ask and get answers to; it can be a real headache. Dr. Hamel has been treating whiplash injury patients for over 24 years. He has experience dealing with insurance companies and your injuries, and he will give you straight-up answers about the severity of your injuries and what kind of care you need to get fixed and back to normal.
DO I NEED TO SEE A CHIROPRACTOR AFTER AN ACCIDENT?
In short, yes. Most new car accident patients coming into Kingwood Chiropractic are dealing with severe pain and symptoms such as headaches, neck pain, neck and back sprains, whiplash injury, spinal misalignments, extremity pain, and even numbness/tingling in the arms or legs.
Remember, you might not realize you’re in pain until weeks after your accident. Visiting a car accident chiropractor immediately following your accident allows you to start healing right away. There is no reason not to get chiropractic therapy once you have been cleared for fractures or concussions.
Many car crash victims experience body aches and sore muscles following their accident. During the impact, your body undergoes tremendous whiplash forces, unlike anything else you will ever experience. The pressure on your spine and surrounding musculature is significant, often resulting in damage to spinal joints and tears in muscles and ligaments. The reason patients are in so much pain after a car accident is due to misalignments of the spine, nerve pressure, muscle spasms, and severe inflammation. However, because your body is in shock, you might not notice your muscles are sprained or injured until a few days after the accident. The adrenaline rush from the crash can mask your pain, and when your body returns to equilibrium, that’s when you start feeling symptoms and pains. Even if you have minor scrapes or bruises, go in for a car accident evaluation. With chiropractic testing and thermal scans, Dr. Hamel can identify damage and inflammation in areas you might not think are injured. Additional symptoms that might appear immediately or later include:
- Headaches – could be migraine or tension headaches caused by severe muscle tension and spinal misalignments.
- Numbness and tingling – into the arms, hands, legs, and feet; usually indicates nerve irritation.
- Anxiety and stress – the body is in shock after a whiplash injury, and stress from pain, insurance, or car repair can add up.
- Dizziness – whiplash injuries may cause the room to spin when moving your neck or back quickly.
- Weakness – in your neck, back, or extremities.
These symptoms could indicate your spine is out of alignment and nerves are irritated. Visiting an auto accident chiropractor can help you avoid permanent damage. Neglecting therapy often results in chronic back pain, neck pain, or arthritis later in life. Dr. Hamel emphasizes that spinal injuries and misalignments do not heal well on their own.
You might experience several injuries as a result of your car crash. Your medical or ER doctor might refer you to a chiropractor immediately. Emergency care may provide pain medication or muscle relaxers, but these don’t fix spinal, ligament, muscle, or nerve injuries. Soft tissue injuries from whiplash are often invisible on X-ray or CT scan, and if untreated, can turn into inflexible scar tissue. Car accident injuries usually require ongoing chiropractic treatments, even for active individuals with postural stress.
PREVENTATIVE CARE
Visiting a chiropractor for preventative care helps identify misalignments, postural stress, and muscle spasms. Proper spinal alignment reduces stress on the nervous system, improves posture, and prevents future pain. Early chiropractic care after a car accident can reduce overall doctor visits and save money in the long run.
MINOR INJURIES
Chiropractic care can address minor injuries before they worsen. Untreated minor injuries may lead to spinal joint and disc degeneration, migraines, reversal of spinal curves, or even surgery. For example, shoulder pain may develop into rotator cuff impingement, and back pain may progress to a disc herniation or sciatica. Dr. Hamel compares ignoring injuries to neglecting a cavity—it eventually requires much more invasive care.
SEVERE OR CHRONIC PAIN
Severe pain after a car wreck may require ER visits, imaging, cortisone shots, or pain medication. Dr. Hamel sees patients who can barely sit, stand, or bend due to pain. Chiropractic therapy should begin promptly once fractures or concussions are ruled out.
WHIPLASH
Each year, over 100,000 drivers in Kingwood and Houston experience serious injuries after a car accident. Whiplash can cause long-term pain, joint damage, and nerve irritation if untreated. Chiropractic adjustments can relieve pressure, stress, and inflammation in the spine, reversing damage from whiplash.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GO? HOW MANY TREATMENTS SHOULD I GET?
Treatment frequency depends on injury severity, medical history, and goals. Minor injuries may require a few weeks, while severe whiplash may need 6+ months. The goal is restoration of pre-accident health with minimal pain during daily activities.
WHEN SHOULD I STOP TREATMENT?
Chronic neck or back injuries require ongoing evaluation. Your chiropractor will periodically re-evaluate progress, including pain levels, range of motion, and function. Treatment stops once goals are achieved.
CAN YOU GO TOO MUCH?
Generally, no. Frequent visits are necessary when pain or symptoms are severe. As improvement occurs, treatment frequency is gradually reduced. Chiropractic care includes adjustments, muscle release techniques, and corrective exercises. Maintenance adjustments once per month are recommended after completing a treatment plan.
For serious whiplash injuries, Dr. Hamel may recommend 3X weekly visits initially, even daily during the first week, to relieve pressure and start healing. Frequency decreases as recovery progresses.
GET CARE AFTER YOUR ACCIDENT: VISIT AN AUTO ACCIDENT CHIROPRACTOR TODAY
Don’t let a small car accident cause major health problems. Schedule an appointment with an auto accident chiropractor to prevent chronic pain. Learn more about car accident treatments today from Kingwood Chiropractic.
FAQ
1. How soon after a car accident should I see a chiropractor?
- It’s advisable to see a chiropractor as soon as possible, ideally within the first 72 hours, as long as fractures or concussions are ruled out. Early assessment helps prevent chronic spinal problems and ensures you can perform daily activities pain-free.
2. What types of symptoms can a chiropractor treat after a car accident?
- Neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, disc herniations, migraines, dizziness, reduced range of motion, and muscle spasms. Chiropractors realign the spine and relieve nervous system pressure, supporting healing.
3. How long will I need to see a chiropractor for treatment?
- Depends on injury severity and body response. Some patients improve within weeks, others require months. Serious whiplash cases may need 6+ months; minor injuries may only need 2 months.
4. Is chiropractic care covered by insurance after a car accident?
- Many auto insurance policies cover medically necessary chiropractic care. Kingwood Chiropractic accepts all PIP (personal injury protection) insurance from Geico, USAA, Farmers, Travelers, Nationwide, Allstate, Progressive, and more. Coverage limits vary from $2,500 to $10,000. For patients without PIP, Kingwood Chiropractic accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna.
5. What should I bring to my first chiropractic appointment?
- Bring medical records, accident report, insurance information, current symptoms, previous injuries, and accident details (speed, vehicle damage, symptom changes). This helps the chiropractor create an appropriate treatment plan.
