Auto Accidents
The mistake many people make on the day they are involved in a car accident is not realizing that they are actually hurt. Powerful emotions such as anxiety, nerves, frustration, or anger can take over during the intense adrenaline surge from the accident. It may be difficult to focus on the physical aches and pains of the moment, as you try to deal with the legalities of being in a car accident, including dealing with the other driver, the police, and sorting out insurance matters. On the day of the accident, most people have one thing on their mind: their automobile! Common questions include:
"Who is going to fix my car?"
"What will I drive in the mean time?"
"Will my insurance rates go up?"
"Who is going to pay for it?"
And the last thing on their mind is: "Am I Really O.K.?"
Not only are auto accidents an inconvenience and a hassle, a common redundant complaint of auto accident victims is that they don't feel like their normal selves. You may be experiencing obvious pains and symptoms such as muscle stiffness or spasm, neck pain, headaches, numbness and tingling, back pain, difficulty sleeping, irritability, memory loss, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and many other difficulties.
Or worse than that, you may be injured and feel nothing at all. Often, if symptoms are not felt on the first day, they are very noticeable by the following morning. At this point, you must make the important decision whether you will seek treatment or not. It has been our experience that if the injury is left unattended, significant negative physical consequences can develop later on, such as chronic pain and stiffness in the injured areas. This can take place when the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints of the body do not heal appropriately and form excessive scar tissue at the injured site.
Even more, did you know that auto accidents can cause post-traumatic osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis can ruin your posture (giving you a slumped or hump back appearance). Osteoarthritis can cause the discs in your spine to degenerate and create prominent bone spurs.
Treatment in our office for these auto-related injuries is typically covered at 100% by your auto insurance company. If not, we can refer you to a personal injury attorney who specializes in this area and will not charge unless an award is recovered.
Auto Injury? Know your rights
Did you know that one of the most stressful aspects of living in modern life is dealing with the problems that arise after an auto accident? In addition to the physical consequences to your body that can take place when an injury is not taken care of properly, additional problems can ensue when the accident victim settles their case with the insurance company before obtaining a proper evaluation by a Doctor trained in soft-tissue injuries.
... This Could Be A Big Mistake.
Why? Because once you settle your case, you lose the right to have your insurance company pay for treatment if you need it. Before you settle with the insurance company, thoroughly consider how you will afford medical coverage in the event that you do not get better. It is extremely important that you be informed of your rights prior to making a decision. It is our recommendation that following an accident, you receive prompt evaluation and treatment of your injury. The ultimate goal is to allow you to return back to the way you felt and functioned prior to the accident.
Even if you are experiencing only mild soreness, you should be evaluated in order to ensure that your current symptoms will not develop into more serious problems later on down the road, including osteoarthritis. Remember, nothing is more important than your health, especially when you start to lose it.
Most Doctors Are Not Trained In The Detection and Treatment of Auto Injuries...
If you have been in an auto accident, you need a doctor who is trained in the biomechanics of the human body; someone who treats these injuries every day. Chiropractors are specialists in treating the most commonly injured part of the body in auto accidents, the spine. In addition, x-rays can be taken to find out if there has been any structural damage. In our office, we thoroughly evaluate auto accident victims and make appropriate referrals to other health care providers, as needed.
Our primary responsibility is giving you the care you need to restore health. We will also submit the required medical reports to the insurance company so your rights are protected.
And remember, if we can't help you, we will refer you to a doctor or facility that can, and is familiar with treating auto injuries. You should be aware that not every doctor treats auto accident victims, including most primary care physicians; therefore, it is important to find one that has experience handling these types of cases.
If you have been in an auto accident recently, there are some important decisions you have to make, and if I were you, I'd make these decisions very carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I See An Attorney Before I See My Chiropractor?
A: It is important to get checked out by the doctor first. There is nothing more important than your health. Also, the findings from your exam will provide you the information you need in order to decide if an attorney is necessary. If necessary, we can refer you to a reputable and qualified attorney.
Q: What If My Car Sustained Only Minor Damage?
A: Documented studies done by Charles Carroll, M.D., Paul McAtee, M.D. and Lee Riley, M.D. revealed that: "The amount of damage to the automobile bears little relation to the force applied to the cervical spine (neck) of the occupants." In other words, the damage to the passengers is not necessarily directly related to the damage to the vehicle.
Q: If I Need Treatment For This Injury, Do I Have To Pay For It Myself?
A: No, only in very rare circumstances does the patient pay for his care as he goes. Our office provides care "on credit" when patients are represented by an attorney. Or, some car insurance policies have what is called "Med Pay" or Personal Injury Protection (PIP). This means that medical bills will be paid at 100% up to a certain limit. Our office can assist you in obtaining this information.
Using your medical coverage should not raise your premiums.
Q: The Insurance Company Has Been Calling Me And Wants To Settle, What Should I Do?
A: Do not sign or settle until the extent of your injuries have been evaluated by a doctor. If you settle before your injury is fully resolved, you will be completely on your own and will have to pay out of pocket for your care.
Q: I've Been To The Hospital And My Medical Doctor, Do I Really Need to See a Chiropractor?
A: You need a doctor who focuses in the treatment and diagnosis of auto accident injuries. Usually hospitals will check vital signs, make sure there are no life-threatening conditions and release the patient with pain-relief medication. They normally do not treat the underlying improper musculoskeletal biomechanics that can and often do lead to future pain. If you are still having problems, you should get a second opinion.
If your M.D. has given you medication, you must understand that pills do not correct structural or soft-tissue damage. In other words, medication is there mainly to cover the pain. There are special therapies that your M.D. does not provide, which are designed to heal soft-tissues. We offer these treatments at our office, which include massage, mobilization, traction, ultrasound, ice/heat, electrical stimulation, etc.,
Q: Does Your Care Hurt?
A: Absolutely not. The care is very gentle and quite soothing. Most patients can hardly wait to get their care.
Q: Is The Care Safe?
A: Yes, extremely. Particularly when compared to the side effects from medication. Chiropractic care is conservative and natural.
Whiplash Injuries
Symptoms
Have you ever awoken in the morning and felt neck stiffness or pain? Have you ever finished some type of physical activity and just didn't feel comfortable in your neck? How about backing up your car, and you can't seem to turn your neck far enough to see behind you? These are all typical symptoms of neck problems that are caused by misalignments of the spinal segments in the upper back and neck. Why does it happen you might ask? The neck or cervical spine, as it is called, is comprised of seven vertebrae. Surrounding these vertebrae are muscles, tendons, and ligaments. If the vertebrae are pushed out of place by poor posture, accidents or falls, or overuse, the muscles and tendons will be forced to stretch too far. This can cause pain and discomfort. Also, this action of the connective tissue can force the spinal segments out of place, putting pressure on the spinal nerves. This whole syndrome can be very uncomfortable, and until the spine and connective tissues are helped back into their normal positions, the pain usually does not go away.
Evaluation
Your health history will be discussed with you to find out why this condition has occurred. A physical examination of the appropriate regions will be performed, along with any necessary spinal x-rays. While patients understandably want results as quickly as possible, these tests are needed to help us fully understand their problem so the most effective and efficient treatment can be given. The results of these tests will be given as quickly as possible. At that time, patients will also have the opportunity to ask any questions that they may have.
Treatment
Some patients who have very mild occurrences of this symptom may actually get away with no treatment at all. After a few days the pain just seems to go away. This is not that uncommon, AT FIRST. Unfortunately, it has been our experience that unless the mobility of the spine is restored, this symptom will continue to return. And, usually each time it returns, it is worse than before. The appropriate treatment for this type of symptom, in most cases, includes chiropractic adjustments of the spine, along with certain types of physical therapy. Chiropractic adjustments help restore normal spinal motion, while the physical therapy helps alleviate muscle tightness or spasms. The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the condition, how often you have had the condition in the past, your age, and your normal activity level. Your treatment will be customized to your specific situation so that your results will be the quickest and longest lasting.
