Chiropractic Care After An Auto Accident: FAQs

Car accidents are one of the biggest reasons people end up needing medical care because they have sustained injuries. Injuries after a car accident can lead you to seek help from a range of medical care providers, and a chiropractor really should be one of those providers. Take a look at some of the most common questions about chiropractic care after a motor vehicle accident injury and the answers you should know. 

How soon should you go see a chiropractor after your accident?

In most cases, the sooner you can see a chiropractor after you have sustained a motor vehicle accident injury, the better off you will be. You should always seek emergency attention first immediately after the accident, but visiting a chiropractor on your own soon after is also a good idea. The chiropractor will document your injuries just like a typical physician and create a treatment plan to help you get over your injuries. 

Why are chiropractors a good fit when you have an injury due to a car accident?

Chiropractors are skilled in adjusting and realigning the musculoskeletal system. Injuries that are common after a car accident include things like whiplash and spinal pain, which are both examples of misalignment of the skeletal system or damage to the surrounding tissues. 

Will your insurance cover the costs of a chiropractor after an accident?

If you seek medical care from a chiropractor after your car accident, your car insurance or the driver's car insurance who was at fault should pick up the costs of your care. Chiropractic care is medical treatment, and because your treatments are relative to the accident, it should be included in your claim. 

Will the chiropractor prescribe medications for your injuries?

Most chiropractors operate without the use of prescription drugs. Therefore, you likely will not be prescribed medications when you visit the chiropractor. This is one reason why a lot of injured individuals will seek treatment with their family doctor and a chiropractor at the same time, especially after a car accident. 

What's the difference between a chiropractor and a physical therapist?

Both treatment providers do offer similar forms of treatment, but chiropractors are far more skilled than physical therapists in the realignment of the musculoskeletal system. Therefore, while physical therapy is a good thing to help with things like restoring range of motion, you will see far greater results in most cases with a chiropractor's professional medical attention.