Auto Accident Care FAQs
What if my car sustained only minor damage?
Documented studies done by Charles Carroll, M.D., Paul McAtee, M.D. and Lee Riley, M.D. revealed that: “The amount of damage to the automobile bears little relation to the force applied to the cervical spine (neck) of the occupants.”
In other words, the damage to the passengers is not necessarily directly related to the damage to the vehicle. Thus auto accident injuries need to be immediately evaluated by a qualified chiropractor like those found at Advanced Spine and Wellness
What if I need orthopedics, neurologists, and MRI imaging facilities?
We will immediately refer you for an MRI or any imaging studies necessary to evaluate the extent of your injuries. We also work exclusively with other local qualified medical doctor professionals such as orthopedics & neurologists to provide any additional necessary care.
I've been to the hospital and my Medical Doctor, do I really need to see a Chiropractor?
You need a doctor who is experienced in providing the necessary care and diagnosis of auto accident injuries. Usually, hospitals will check vital signs, make sure there are no life-threatening conditions and release the patient with pain relief medication. They normally do not provide healthcare for the underlying injuries that can often lead to future pain.
Does your care hurt?
The care is comfortable and quite soothing. Our patients look forward to the care they receive during their office visits.
Is Chiropractic care safe?
Yes. The care is safe and gentle. In fact, we have patients that range from newborn infants, children, to the elderly who receive effective relief.
Why am I getting headaches after an auto accident?
During the impact of an accident your neck is forcibly “whipped” back and forth and side to side past its normal range of motion. As a result whiplash injuries can affect the muscles and tissues in your back and neck. Stiffness, back pain and/or neck pain can ensue immediately or take days, weeks or even months to appear. It is crucial to treat whiplash immediately even if you are not yet experiencing neck or back pain.
Headaches and migraines are common symptoms that can occur as a result of whiplash injuries or any type of motor vehicle injury. Headaches may appear when specific vertebrae in your neck are restricted and out of position due to the impact of an accident. Sprained neck muscles can cause pain to radiate to your head. Any injuries or traumas to your head can cause headaches and migraines. If you are experiencing headaches after your car accident, then you should get treated as soon as possible so that your headache pain does not become permanent.
At Advanced Spine and Wellness we treat whiplash injuries to get you functional and back to normal.
Why do I get neck pain following an auto accident?
Whiplash injuries occur when there is a sudden forced movement of the head or neck in any direction which can cause a rebound in the opposite direction. Surrounding and supporting tissues of the neck and head will be affected. Consequently, the surrounding muscles begin to tighten, contract and fatigue quicker resulting in pain and stiffness. Car accidents are the most common cause of whiplash.
It is vital to get a proper evaluation to determine how to get you feeling better without the use of medication, which is designed to mask the pain, not treat the cause of the pain. At Advanced Spine and Wellness our goal is to help you recover from automobile injuries and focus on correction of one’s ailments.
What if my symptoms did not begin immediately?
Oftentimes, pain and/or symptoms of injury are delayed following a car crash. The soft tissues (muscles, tendons, discs, ligaments, etc.) are commonly stretched and/or sustain micro-tears in an automobile accident. This leads to an inflammatory reaction that takes time to build up with the soft tissue. Often patients mask their initial symptoms with pain medications and are unaware of the level of their pain and stiffness until these medications wear off.
Could a car accident have an impact on experiencing sciatica?
Yes, after we experience trauma from sudden force, the spinal column along with soft tissues such as tendons, ligaments, fascia and muscles can shift. This unexpected force can cause a vertebra to bulge, resulting in sciatic nerve compression. If you experienced an auto accident, we cannot stress enough how important it is to see a chiropractor immediately. Even if you are not experiencing pain, we can help restore spinal alignment to avoid any future flare ups.
When Should I go?
If you have a spine, call today. You should get your spine checked whether you have pain or not! Also, here in Florida, we have only 2 weeks from the date of the accident to get evaluated. If you wait past the 2 week period, you forfeit any insurance benefits tat you may have. Therefore, we recommend that all victims of accidents in Florida make an appointment to be evaluated by a professional accident injury doctor within 72 hours of the accident's occurrence.
So do not wait until it is too late! Let one of our accident injury doctors determine once and for all if you have suffered any injuries that will appear later and give you problems down the road.