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Auto Accident Chiropractor in Philadelphia, PA

Auto Accident Treatment Chiropractor Philadelphia PA Near Me

Auto accidents are a terrible reality in our modern lives. Every 60 seconds there is an auto accident, amounting to millions of accidents every year, but not everyone gets the care they need and have the right to receive. Whether it’s your first accident or you’re a veteran, this situation is always stressful and overwhelming and most people have no idea what to do. Many who’ve sustained serious trauma as a result of a car accident usually have the good sense to get evaluated at the hospital. Auto accident injuries are no joke.

It doesn’t take a lot of force to inflict injury. In fact, speeds of only 5-10 mph can generate significant G-forces to injure the soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments, and discs) in the neck. Factors influencing your injury include (but are NOT limited to) the vehicles’ size, weight, and speed differential, location of impact direction, head restraint location, seat failure, seat back angle and “spring,” seat back height, surface slipperiness, and more.

There is a major misconception when it comes to the damage to your car and how it relates to your injuries. Having little visible damage to the car does not mean that there are no injuries. Low-speed collisions can generate enough force to injure the neck. If the metal of the car crushes, energy is absorbed and LESS is transferred to the occupants and VICE VERSA! So, to avoid injury, it’s BETTER to have vehicular damage (the opposite of what you’d think)! Often, you have to crawl underneath the vehicle to see the damage.

Just because you don’t go to the hospital, thinking you didn’t sustain significant enough injuries, or the ER releases you, doesn’t mean you don’t have damage from the accident. Many people end up with chronic pain because they don’t seek treatment for a car accident soon after the accident. Time is also of the essence when it comes to your car insurance claim. The sooner you seek care the better. Insurance adjusters do this every day and this may be your first accident, that’s why it’s critical to work with doctors and professionals that understand personal injury so are a disappointment.

Chiropractors are the best choice for treating injuries after a car accident. At PA Pain & Rehab, we specialize in identifying and treating the most common issues that result from an auto accident, like soft tissue and spinal injuries. We want to find the root issue and treat that rather than treat symptoms only to have them return when the medication has worn off. The best part about chiropractic care for auto accidents is its holistic and all-natural approach. It is always the preferable option to avoid the risks and side effects of surgery and medication.

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How We Treat Auto Injuries In Philadelphia, PA

Comprehensive Consultation and Exam

Treating auto injuries starts with a comprehensive history and consultation with a doctor who’s really going to listen to your unique situation. We’ll take into account the accident itself, but we’re also interested in your health before the accident and what role that will play in your care. Car accidents are emotionally and physically stressful, we want to help alleviate that stress and correct any injuries. We are partners and advocates for our patients as they work to get back to 100%.

Many times, accidents cause injuries that are not visible to the naked eye, but if left untreated can snowball into larger health issues. Through a combination of chiropractic, functional, orthopedic, and neurological exams we’ll leave no stone unturned to get to the root cause of your specific issue and any other hidden issues you may not be aware of. We treat the body as a single unit working to keep you healthy and strong, we don’t want to neglect any error messages the body might be sending.

It’s critical to document your injuries properly in order to be protected by insurance. We have over 20 years of experience taking care of people injured in accidents. We will file all of your insurance claims and communicate your progress with an attorney, if you have one, so you don’t have to. Accident documentation can be complicated, luckily we are experts at managing these cases so that all you have to focus on is healing.

Specific Chiropractic Care in Philadelphia, PA

Based on the results of our consultation and exams, we will tailor a multidisciplinary-approach care plan specific to your injuries. Chiropractic adjustments are our most important treatment after a car accident. The impact from a crash, even at speeds of only 5-10 mph can be jarring for the spine and the body. If the spine gets knocked out of alignment it can affect the nerves that travel through the spine to service different areas of the body. This can result in pain, but pain is only a signal that something is wrong. Nerves carry every message between the brain and the body and when that communication line is broken the body begins to break down.

Neck and low back injuries after an accident are most common, whiplash being the leading culprit, but adjustments can help with a range of issues as they work to improve nervous system function. Chiropractic adjustments correct the spinal structure removing pressure on the nerves and allowing unimpeded communication between the body and the brain. They also provide rapid and long-term relief of inflammation, decrease muscle tension, restore proper range of motion, reduce the risk for serious complications, and speed up your overall recovery process.

Physical Rehabilitation

When you’re hurt in a car accident, you want to get back to life as quickly as possible. A customized plan based on your functional assessment will strengthen your muscles, improve your range of motion, and reduce healing times. As you work with a chiropractor to restore proper spinal structure, it’s important to retrain your muscles how to support that healthy structure. This will help adjustments to hold longer and prevent future injury. We’ll work with you in the office as well as provide you with at-home car accident recovery exercises to continue your healing at home.

Medical Care

At PA Pain & Rehab, we are lucky to have an orthopaedic surgeon on staff who specializes in providing care and pain management solutions for a range of spine, joint, and bone issues. He’s trained to handle emergency situations and help you find treatments to get back on your feet fast. If necessary, our doctor can prescribe an MRI to assess any soft tissue, joint, or spinal injuries and determine if your organs were impacted by the crash.

Medical Equipment

One of the last things that’s on your mind after an auto accident are the tools necessary to support recovery. We’ve got you covered. This is a frustrating and confusing time and we want your recovery, from the logistics to the healing, to be as seamless as possible. We can provide supports, EMS, medical pillows, and more to aid in your recovery and help make you as comfortable as possible while your body heals.

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What You Need to Know if You’ve Been in an Auto Accident in Philadelphia, PA

Do I need an attorney after an auto accident?

If you have been in a car accident in Philadelphia, you may be wondering if you should work with an attorney. In addition to the injuries most people sustain after a car accident, there are a lot of details and unknowns that can be overwhelming and hard to navigate. Here are a few examples where an attorney might be helpful:

  • When you don’t understand the coverage from the insurance companies involved.
  • If you have sustained an injury – especially a serious injury, such as a broken bone or if your medical treatment costs thousands of dollars – it is definitely worth talking to an attorney.
  • If you had to miss work, the police report or other paperwork does not look accurate, or if there is a dispute over who is at fault.
  • When you don’t know or understand your rights.

An auto accident attorney can help you deal with all the medical bills, property damage, and other damage that may have resulted from the accident, as well obtaining compensation for your injuries.

Does my insurance cover chiropractic care after an auto accident in Philadelphia, PA?

In Pennsylvania all automobile insurance policies require Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. PIP is your “no fault” insurance which covers a minimum of $5000 in medical and chiropractic services. If you or someone in your household has automobile insurance in Pennsylvania you are covered as a driver, a passenger, or a pedestrian.

Do you have transportation to your practice after an auto accident?

At PA Pain and Rehab, we know it is hard enough to get to appointments when you’re injured after a car accident and it’s even harder when you don’t have transportation especially in Philadelphia. For this reason we make transportation available to those who need it if they live within a certain radius to any of our 6 offices around the city.

Do I need a referral for a chiropractor after an auto accident?

Chiropractors are “Portal of Entry” doctors. This means you are free to seek a chiropractic consultation at any time you choose, with any chiropractor you choose, without a prescription from your medical doctor or primary care physician. If you are thinking about using our services as a result of an injury you do not need a referral from your medical doctor.

Common Injuries from Auto Accidents

Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries to occur after a car accident, especially when involved in a rear-impact collision At impact, your head will bend backward and then “whip” forward seriously damaging the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints in the neck, upper and lower back, and lead to a lot of problems. Signs of whiplash can include:

  • Neck pain and stiffness
  • Loss of range of motion in the neck
  • Headaches
  • Tingling and numbness in the arms
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Blurred vision
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Irritability
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Memory problems
  • Depression

Chiropractic treatment for whiplash will help to decrease inflammation, correct spinal structure, strengthen damaged soft tissue, and speed up recovery by optimizing the nervous system. This will also help protect you from future injuries.

Low Back Pain

Back pain after a car accident can be the result of whiplash, sprains and strains, spinal disc damage, and joint injuries. The force of the impact can cause hypermobility or tear the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the lower back. This can lead to muscle tension, spasms, and leaves the spine unstabilized.

The impact can also damage or displace one or more of your spinal discs. Your discs sit between each vertebra and act as a shock absorber with a rigid fibrous exterior and a gelatinous center. If the exterior tears and the inner, jelly-like nucleus leaks into the spinal canal it can irritate the nerves causing intense pain and disruption to the nervous system.

If your spine is affected the only thing that is going to help fix it is chiropractic, you can’t medicate away a musculoskeletal issue. If these problems aren’t fixed it can lead to degeneration which has no cure.

Shoulder Pain

Your shoulder is the most mobile joint in your body. They are required for a variety of functions and it is that unique range of motion and mobility that makes them delicate and susceptible to injury. Shoulder pain after a car accident could be a symptom of a rotator cuff tear, shoulder impingement, or a fracture.

There are actually three joints that make up the shoulder – glenohumeral, AC, and SC. Joint restriction and misalignment can occur at any of these joints, and chiropractors are trained to adjust these joints to provide pain relief and restore motion and function. It is common for people with shoulder pain to also experience neck or upper back pain, so we take a global approach to any shoulder issue and make sure that the areas around your shoulder are functioning well, too.

Knee Pain

The knee is made up of several different bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. All of these must function properly in order for the knee to work. Common knee injuries after a car accident are a torn meniscus, knee fracture, torn ACL, or an MCL tear. Bones can break, joints can hyper-extend, ligaments can tear, and muscles can be torn and bruised. Ignoring a knee injury can have repercussions on other parts of the body. Many people with chronic knee injuries develop lower back pain as their body compensates to take pressure off of the injured knee.

Chiropractors are able to gently manipulate the knee joint to allow improved range of motion and decrease pain. It is also possible that the knee is not functioning properly because the muscles that support and move the knee aren’t working properly. The nerves that control these muscles originate in the lumbar spine, and if there is subluxation present that is affecting how the nerves are working, then this too needs to be addressed.

Concussion

A concussion is a brain injury that is caused by a blow to the head or a violent shaking of the head and body. It can occur with or without loss of consciousness and it can lead to temporary cognitive symptoms like:

  • Headache
  • Confusion
  • Lack of coordination
  • Memory loss
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Sleepiness
  • Excessive fatigue

There is no specific cure for a concussion, other than resting and restricting activities to allow the brain to recover, but when there is a concussion there are almost always issues found in the cervical spine. Chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue work are two of the best treatment options for a concussion as they can work to correct damage to the cervical spine.

Neck Pain

Neck pain is the most common complaint after a car accident. Even in low-speed collisions the neck and cervical spine can be injured. In order to limit the risk of chronic neck pain or other long-term issues, it’s crucial to see a chiropractor quickly after a car accident.

Many times, neck pain is due to a condition called subluxation. Subluxation occurs when a bone or section of the spine shifts out of its normal position. This causes pressure and irritation to nerves and affects how well your spine is able to move. If subluxations are not corrected, over time they can cause degeneration to the joints and lead to arthritis. Specific adjustments to the spine will remove pressure from the nerves and allow the joints to move easier. Correcting subluxations will also restore function to the nerves which will speed healing and allow the body to work at its best. If the root cause of your problem is coming from a subluxation in the cervical spine, you will continue to have symptoms until it is addressed. That is why chiropractic is so crucial to eliminating neck pain.

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