Visiting Your Chiropractor After a Car Accident: What To Expect

If you were involved in a Gresham car accident and were injured, then you might need to schedule a chiropractic appointment. Sometimes, the whiplash from a car crash can strain muscles and joints that you didn't even know you had. While some of these issues can be addressed by your body healing itself, you might still require the services of a professional to assist you with adjusting and working out the tension of your muscles. If you've already scheduled a chiropractor appointment after being involved in an auto accident, then you probably want to know a bit more about what to expect when you show up at your chiropractor’s office.

History and Symptoms

The first thing that the chiropractor will do to help determine how to address your issues is to gather your medical history and learn what symptoms you're showing. You'll be expected to retell what happened during the car accident since this will provide the chiropractor with invaluable information about what specific movements or impacts could have caused your symptoms. In most instances, you'll also have to account for your medical history in general as well as whether or not you've ever experienced symptoms like this prior to the car accident and, if so, how frequently.

Exam and Evaluation

Next, the chiropractor will conduct a chiropractic exam and evaluation on you. This most commonly consists of the specialist physically examining your muscles and joints and their responses to different movements and actions. The entire exam will test your muscle strength, tone, range of motion, and neurological activity. You can also expect the medical professional to check your pulse, respiration, and blood pressure since all of these can also indicate a chiropractic issue. In some more severe or unclear cases, the chiropractor might even want to run a diagnostic test to pinpoint any irregularities in muscle structure. These tests might consist of X-rays, MRIs, and other types of typical laboratory tests.

Diagnosis and Treatment

After undergoing testing and treatment, you can expect the chiropractor to provide you with a diagnosis detailing exactly what he or she believes your medical condition to be. Consequently, he or she will also advise you on what he or she believes the best course of treatment to be. Your recommended treatment plan could consist of coming in once every week or two to have your muscles rubbed down, or it could consist of a more intensive approach that involves muscle therapy and adjustments. You might have to undergo electrical stimulation, stretching and strengthening exercises, and education on proper postures, ergonomics, and nutrition since all of this can affect your muscular issues.

Sources:

Chiropractic Treatment Plan, spine-health.com
What are the Basic Concepts? takingcharge.csh.umn.edu

Dr. Darren Faherty D.C.

In 2004, Dr. Darren Faherty graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology from UWEC - University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Dr. Darren continued education at the highly esteemed University of Western States (formerly Western States Chiropractic College) where he obtained his chiropractic degree in 2007. He has been helping people recover from injuries and return to their normal lifestyles ever since.