After An Accident: How to Get Your Life Back

Car Accident Recovery: Getting Your Life Back

Car accidents can be one of the scariest experiences of your life. In an instant, your life can change, and it can be difficult both physically and emotionally to get back to normal. Fortunately, many doctors are well-educated in spinal injuries and the best treatment methods available to you in your car accident recovery.

After any necessary hospital or urgent care exam, Chiropractors are often the first healthcare professional the majority of people see after getting into an accident. With a focus on relieving pain, restoring mobility, and supporting long-term healing, chiropractors are an option for getting well without falling into a cycle of taking prescription drugs, starting physical therapy immediately, or getting injections. What’s more, research has shown chiropractic care to be very effective at treating injuries like head, neck and back pain, whiplash, and extremity issues.

• Over 6 million car accidents happen each year in the US, accounting for over 3 million injuries.
• An estimated 38% of people with chronic neck pain believe it began with a car accident.
• Research shows chiropractic care can improve range of motion and decrease the pain associated with whiplash.

The First Step in Car Accident Recovery

In Florida, you must be examined within 14 days of your accident.  In non-emergencies, we can perform that exam for you, your primary MD can if they are willing, or you can visit an urgent care center near you. Most MD’s will order testing, refer to a specialist, and/or prescribe anti-inflammatories.  While medications can provide pain relief, they don’t do a very good job at helping your body heal, and almost everyone needs specific guided rehabilitation after an accident.

Chiropractic is a great place to start because we are trained in spinal injuries and our approach is conservative. I have taken extensive post-graduate education on accident reconstruction, MRI protocols, injury triage, and more. Spinal injuries sustained in an accident will either be bone (fracture), disc (herniation), or non-disc ligament (whiplash).  X-Ray and MRI are both imaging options that can help diagnose the exact nature of your injuries.  The next step after a thorough exam is to reduce inflammation and get moving.  We can help you do both safely. Moving your joints is essential to increasing the blood flow to your tissues so they can start healing. Getting back to your normal daily activities may take a little bit of time, but by sticking with a specific treatment plan, you’ll be in a great position to feel better and get back to your daily life as quickly as possible.

Should I Hire An Attorney?

Attorneys are there to stand up for you if the insurance companies are treating you unfairly when reimbursing or settling the value of your necessary future medical costs associated with your injuries. There are many reputable attorneys in Gainesville that we have worked with, and they have provided excellent service for our patients. We welcome the relationship with personal injury attorneys in order to provide the very best outcomes for our patients in their journey to car accident recovery.

Here for you,

Kent Owens, DC

Science Source:

A systematic review of chiropractic management of adults with whiplash-associated disorders: Recommendations for advancing evidence-based practice and research. 2010.