Whiplash is an injury to the neck that is caused by sudden or violent jolting of the neck in one direction followed by another direction. Whiplash is most common in auto accidents but may also occur from falls, skiing injuries, or other sports related injuries.
Chiropractic Clinic Services, providing care for Broomfield, Westminster, Thornton and the North Denver Metro Area.
Auto Accidents & Injuries
What is Whiplash?
Auto Accidents & Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic treatment following a car accident, no matter how minor of an accident, can be essential in preventing chronic back and neck pain. When car accidents occur, the alignment of vertebrae in your spine can be altered. Alterations in the alignment of the spine can cause areas of the spine and spinal discs to deteriorate quicker than normal. Even if you do not immediately feel pain, alignment should be checked. Discomfort may also become worse over the course of two weeks following an accident. It is easier to treat spinal alignment issues due to whiplash and car accidents immediately after they happen.
You can expect your treatment following a car accident to include a thorough examination, chiropractic adjustments to both the spine and any extremities that may have discomfort after the accident and soft tissue therapy to help the muscles around effected joints relax and recover.
What to Bring to Your First Auto Accident Appointment
Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your appointment. If you have had any imaging or emergency care done before seeing us, please bring those documents or the images so we may review them at your appointment. If you have already gotten a claim number from your auto accident, please bring that in as well. If you do not wish to go through your auto insurance, we will request any insurance information you wish us to bill as well as a photo ID.
We always send home a little homework home with you called an auto packet. This packet will ask you questions about your pain, its location, and details about your accident. In this is where we would have you list your claim numbers, billing addresses, and contact information for your adjuster.
Who Pays for Chiropractic Care After an Auto Accident?
After you get into an auto accident your auto insurance company may cover medical claims related to your accident. This is called Med pay. This is so you can receive treatment without having to go through your medical insurance. This is not how every auto insurance company works, so please when you are filing your accident with your insurance be sure you ask if you have this available to you. If this coverage is available they will set you up with a claim number and billing information to give to your provider. We have ability to bill your medical claims out to the at fault driver or an attorney if you choose to go that route. Each case is different so please ask us for more information and we will be able to help you based on your situation. This means you would not have to pay out of your own pocket for treatment! If you have any specific questions please feel free to reach out to us and we can talk you through it as well.
Some Additional Tips for Before, During & After An Auto Accident
Whiplash injuries are sprain/strain injuries of the neck involving the muscles and ligaments that provide structure and support to the most vital part of your body. The cervical spine (neck) is vitally important in protecting the spinal cord and brain stem; whiplash injuries can compromise the integrity of the spinal cord and the spinal nerve roots which control everything in the human body.
What is a Whiplash Injury?
Before:
Prior to your next car purchase, pay attention to the automobile's size and weight and consumers report evaluation, stay away from the smaller cars, which put you and your passengers at a greater risk. In addition, highlight the restraint system the car is equipped with, particularly the head and seat restraints and the number of airbags.
Adjust your head rest. Research suggests that not having a head restraint is safer than using one in the lowest position, which is the default setting in roughly 80% of cars. Furthermore, restraints are not designed specifically for each unique individual, resulting in the majority of cars being designed for the average person. The best solution is to move your head rest to a safe position immediately after purchase or consider an additional (add-on) head restraint.
During:
If you are able to brace prior to impact:
-
Push your head & neck firmly against the headrest, ensuring that you're flush against the seat back.
-
Secure a good grip and straighten your arms against the steering wheel.
-
Focus on something straight ahead, not turning your head or neck.
-
Bring your shoulders up approximating your ears, shrugging them.
-
Immediately following impact call your chiropractor for an evaluation.
Injuries from auto accidents can cause severe injuries to the structures in your neck and lower back. Sometimes injuries such as whiplash injuries occur without severe initial signs and symptoms.
After:
Follow the Doctor Orders: Ice your troubled area (neck or low back), keep well hydrated, utilize soft collars for support if needed, adjust your work station, and avoid aggravating the injured tissues; follow through with the doctors recommendations to keep the injury from becoming chronic.