Have you ever been in an auto accident?
In all likelihood, you’ve answered yes. The vast majority of New Jersey residents will experience an auto accident at least once in their lifetime. In fact, about 26% of drivers have been involved in a car crash within the last five years.* Personally, I have been in several accidents. Some of them were more serious than others. I have had two accidents where my car was totaled (for the record, in both cases it was the other driver’s fault!) In both instances I received chiropractic treatment immediately following the accidents to minimize risk of long term injury.
Delayed Onset of Symptoms
In many cases, you may feel a little shaken up but relatively O.K. following a motor vehicle accident. However, do not let this feeling fool you. Research has shown that symptoms can present themselves from undetected injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident, days, weeks and even months after the accident has occurred. The reason for these delayed symptoms is scar tissue. Scar tissue builds up under the skin in and around muscle and tendons that have been injured. Nerve endings become irritated over time in the scar tissue and chronic long term pain may be the end result.
The state of New Jersey requires that all drivers purchase auto insurance. Fortunately, the laws of our state dictate that all auto accident participants have the right to receive medical treatment. With New Jersey’s ‘no-fault’ insurance laws, policyholders can recover medical costs from their insurance company, regardless of which party is at fault.
Chiropractic is widely regarded as one of the best treatment options for the common injuries associated with auto accidents, including whiplash and herniated discs. In fact, chiropractic has been found so effective that the no-fault personal injury insurance on your policy will cover chiropractic care following an auto accident.
This is very good news; it is imperative to seek medical attention after a car crash. A visit to the emergency room is always recommended. However, once it has been determined that you are not in critical condition, it’s also important not to assume that you are in good health.
Most likely, you have experienced an injury to the spine or the soft tissues of the spine. Symptoms of such injuries may present themselves immediately or may take time to develop. In some cases, these injuries have no symptoms at all but can lead to other maladies in the future. For example, whiplash can lead to an abnormal curvature in the neck. This leaves the body vulnerable to a number of health problems by compromising the functioning of the nervous system.
Why Chiropractic?
A large body of evidence indicates that the most prevalent of auto accident injuries—whiplash and herniated discs—can be effectively treated with chiropractic care. It’s my belief that insurance companies benefit by covering chiropractic costs; early chiropractic intervention saves money by eliminating the need for surgery, medication, and other healthcare costs.
Chiropractic care for whiplash is essential because it actually corrects the cause of pain and other symptoms. Beginning with x-rays and an orthopedic and neurological exam, chiropractic treatment locates the damage to the cervical (neck) spine. Our practice also works in conjunction with traditional medical practices. In particular, we are certified to read and interpret MRI results. By focusing on and fixing the issues associated with whiplash, chiropractic eliminates current and potential health problems related to the spine and nervous system.
Treatment for back injuries with chiropractic is the best option to avoid pain, medication, and possible surgical intervention. Herniated discs caused by the excessive force and trauma placed on the spine during an auto accident are a fairly common complaint. Chiropractic adjustment, when used in conjunction with physical therapy, is a conservative, drug-free, and healthy approach to treatment.
Monmouth Spine and Rehabilitation Center for Auto Accident Injuries
Along with traditional chiropractic techniques, the primary approach at Monmouth Spine and Rehabilitation Center is a method that focuses on total spinal alignment and health. This is known as Chiropractic Biophysics (CBP). We also use a combination approach that includes physical therapy, massage therapy, and acupuncture.
Do not hesitate to contact Monmouth Spine and Rehabilitation following an auto accident. Consulting with our chiropractic and physical therapy team can help you to avoid long-term, chronic pain conditions and other health problems. Chiropractic care is inexpensive when compared with the costs associated with ignoring the serious ramifications of auto accident injuries. New Jersey’s no-fault insurance laws make covering these costs even easier.
*According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
