Car Accident Chiropractor in Springfield, IL

The term “personal injury” means injury that is caused by another person in which the victim has suffered physically or mentally. One of the most common types of personal injury lawsuits is that which results from a car accident. Unfortunately, car accidents are all too common in our society, with an estimated six million accidents happening in the U.S. each year. What’s worse is that many who suffer injuries in these car accidents do not receive the right care that they need. This results in chronic pain and suffering that can go on for years, decades, or the rest of one’s life. 

One of the most common reasons people don’t seek care after their accident is because, at the time, they actually feel okay for the most part. This is often due to the shock and adrenaline rush that occurs in such a rapid, intense moment. It is common for people to notice pain days or even weeks after the date of the accident once things calm down. For this reason, it is important that even if you feel okay immediately after, you should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional after an auto accident. Studies have shown that even contact between cars at speeds of 5 mph can cause bodily injury to a person. Most accidents occur at speeds significantly greater than that.

Time is of the essence when it comes to filing your claim with insurance companies. If you wait weeks or even months, they may question the validity of your injuries. In their eyes, if you were hurt, why did it take you this long to try and fix these problems? It is also important for your body to start treating any potential injuries as quickly as possible. The longer you wait to address a problem, the more chronic it can become. Chronic problems are always more difficult to treat because your body becomes so used to it being there that it thinks it is normal to have this problem. These types of problems typically take a lot longer to heal and can be a source of great frustration for people. Therefore, it is wise to seek care as soon as possible following your car accident.

How We Treat Auto Accident Injuries in Springfield, IL

Comprehensive Consultation and Examination

If you come to the Springfield Wellness Center following your auto accident, your first visit will be very busy. We always start off with a detailed history and consultation so we can ensure that we document all of the key information and details surrounding the accident. We want to know what happened, what your injuries are, and what kind of care you have received thus far, if any. These details are important because this is baseline information to which all other exams will be compared. This is how your progress is documented and demonstrated to insurance companies and attorneys alike.

After the consultation, we will do a detailed examination to document the objective data necessary for your care and your case. Our doctors will take you through a series of orthopedic, neurologic, and functional movement tests to accurately diagnose your condition. They will also check for subluxation, or misalignment, in your spine which could be the source of your pain from this accident. Following the examination, your doctor will discuss your visit frequency and schedule with you. It is important that you attend every visit so you can heal as quickly and efficiently as possible. It is also important for insurance companies to see that there are no major gaps in your care.

Specific Chiropractic Care in Springfield, IL

Chiropractic care is the bedrock of the care we provide because it directly influences the body’s nervous system. The nervous system is the master system of the body, as it controls all other functions of the body. Without a healthy nervous system, you can’t be a healthy individual, it’s that simple. By addressing subluxation, which causes interference in the nervous system, our chiropractors are able to help people truly heal from their accident-related injuries, rather than just covering them up like a band-aid. All too commonly we will see new patients in our office with chronic pain that can be traced back to auto accidents that were 5, 10, or even 20 years ago. If the body does not heal properly from injuries, the effects can be lifelong. Seeing a chiropractor gives you the best chance to make a full recovery and leave your injuries in the past for good.

Massage Therapy and Soft Tissue Work

When it comes to auto accidents, one of the first symptoms people notice is extreme muscle tension or soreness. Whether it be in the neck due to whiplash or in the lower back from the impact, the muscles get extremely tight and can spasm, causing tremendous discomfort for the individual. At the Springfield Wellness Center, we use a range of soft tissue therapies to provide relief for these people and help them on their healing journey. 

Massage therapy is one commonly used treatment in our office to help these muscles settle down. Our therapists are experts at working with auto accident patients and understand that they have different needs. They are able to use the right amount of force to be therapeutically effective and work alongside chiropractic care to produce great results. Our chiropractors also utilize soft tissue therapies such as Active Release Technique and Graston Technique to reduce painful adhesions in the muscles and improve range of motion. Soft tissue therapy is a staple of our auto accident care and a massive part of the healing process.

Therapeutic Exercise

It is true that our bodies heal through movement. For this reason, incorporating exercise into our care for auto accident patients is imperative. Even if you are in a lot of pain, there are still benefits to even small movements such as basic range of motion exercises and stretches. Movement stimulates blood flow, and blood flow is what helps our tissues get more oxygen, which is essential for healing. Also, exercise provides more stability to a spine recovering from injury and trauma, and this stability is what provides the foundation for a future without chronic pain from these initial problems. The muscles that surround, support, and move the spine have to be on the same page and working together equally. Our trainer will guide you through the right exercises during office visits, but also give you exercises and stretches to continue working on at home. That way, you are always in a state of healing.

Deep Tissue Laser

It is extremely common for injuries from auto accidents to cause a great deal of inflammation at different locations. At the Springfield Wellness Center, one way we combat this inflammation is by leveraging technology in the form of deep tissue laser. This advanced treatment modality uses light energy to penetrate deep into the tissue all the way to the cellular level. Here, it stimulates the cell to produce energy which is used to decrease inflammation and accelerate the healing process. This type of treatment can be used on joints, muscles, and bones alike, and gets great and fast results for people who are in significant discomfort. 

Common Injuries from Car Accidents in Springfield, IL

Whiplash and Neck Pain

Perhaps the most common injury sustained in car accidents is whiplash and neck pain. Whiplash occurs when the vehicle comes to a sudden stop, but the head keeps moving due to the momentum of the person’s body still moving despite the car stopping. This causes the head to move violently back and forth, causing tremendous strain on the muscles, ligaments, and joints of the neck. This can lead to sharp, severe neck pain and headaches that can drastically decrease range of motion and, at times, be completely debilitating. Treatments such as chiropractic and massage therapy are great at helping to alleviate the muscle spasms and allowing the muscles to relax so that improvements in range of motion can be made. This allows for further healing through gradual strengthening as exercise is appropriately incorporated into care.

Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is another common ailment resulting from the impact of car accidents. Common sources of lower back pain can include muscle strain, disc injury, or sciatica, and they can also be a great hindrance to the individual regardless of which one(s) they experience.  Treatments such as chiropractic and decompression therapy are great for getting the spine into alignment and taking the pressure off irritated discs and nerves that cause the sharp, shooting pain of conditions such as sciatica. Deep tissue laser is another great therapy for treating inflammation that results from disc injuries. This can oftentimes help people get through the acute stage of care and into a more stable condition where significant progress can be made.

Shoulder Pain

Shoulders are greatly impacted by car accidents. Not only do they suffer from muscle damage that occurs in the rotator cuff muscles, neck muscles, and upper and middle back muscles, but also the joints themselves can be damaged from the physical trauma of auto accidents. The shoulder is a complex joint, so it needs to be evaluated separately in order to accurately identify the cause of pain in a personal injury case. Chiropractors are greatly positioned to help people with shoulder pain. Chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue work are two great ways to improve range of motion and decrease pain in the various shoulder joints that make up the “shoulder”. 

Hip Pain and Knee Pain

In the lower extremities, injuries typically depend on the amount of impact involved in the accident. Hips for example have the potential to be jammed into their socket, which can cause extensive pain and suffering. Knees can also be compromised by certain points of impact and can result in damaged or torn ligaments, which require lengthy recoveries. At the Springfield Wellness Center, we have a unique array of treatments that can help people heal from these types of injuries and get back to living their lives how they want to. Things like deep tissue laser and exercise help to reduce inflammation, kickstart tissue healing, and restore function. Even if surgery is required for these kinds of injuries, our care can help shave off recovery time and get you back to where you want to be in a quicker fashion.

What You Need to Know If You’ve Been In A Car Accident in Springfield, IL

Should I go to a chiropractor after an auto accident?

Yes, absolutely, as quickly as possible. The longer you wait to be seen, the more injuries have time to settle in, which makes them more difficult to treat in the long run. The last thing you want is a problem like neck pain becoming chronic and affecting you for years and years because you didn’t get it taken care of while it was still a new injury. Chiropractors are trusted experts in helping people heal from auto accident injuries using conservative treatment techniques that get results for people.

Does car insurance pay for a chiropractor after an accident?

Yes, in Illinois if you are not at fault, the at-fault’s insurance company typically will pay for your treatment. If you are at fault, your own auto insurance may pay for your treatments if you have Medical Payments coverage, which is optional in IL. Remember, though, insurance companies do this stuff every day, and for many people, an auto accident is a person’s first one. If you are not sure what to do or how to navigate this process, it can be helpful to have a personal injury attorney in your corner to advocate for you and make sure you receive the care that you deserve.

What are my rights to care after an accident?

After an accident, you have the right to seek medical care and look out for your own well-being. Many people come to the Springfield Wellness Center through word of mouth, their own online research, or being referred to us by local attorneys. You also have the right to seek counsel from a personal injury attorney who can help you navigate this process and ensure you get the care you need and categorize your other losses as a result of the accident.

Do I have to pay out of pocket after an auto accident?

In most cases, no. Auto insurance companies will typically pay for the cost of your care, especially if you are not at fault for the accident. If you decided not to file an insurance claim and instead use your private health insurance, then yes, you would be responsible for your out-of-pocket costs for care.

For how long should I go to a chiropractor after an auto accident?

This depends greatly on several different factors including the extent of bodily injury, the amount of time it took for them to be seen relative to the accident date, as well as others. It is common for care to take 3-5 months in our office, but there are instances where it has been both longer and shorter. It all depends on the individual and their unique circumstances.