How often should you see a chiropractor for treatment after an auto accident?
If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident, even an accident with no damage to your vehicle, you still may have an injury. Below is a list of common car accident injury symptoms to watch out for:
Neck and back stiffness
Pain in the neck, upper, mid, or lower back
Loss of range of motion
Headaches
Numbness and tingling into the arms and legs
Carpal tunnel syndrome
TMJ
Fatigue/brain fog unable to focus
Blurred vision
Vertigo or dizziness
If you have been involved in a car accident, it is likely that overtime you will experience some type of discomfort or pain. This can also be said even if you have not sustained any serious injuries. Although it may take several weeks to be felt, slight pains can become long-lasting conditions if left untreated. To make sure that a minor ache or pain does not become permanent, it is imperative to seek treatment from a car accident doctor/chiropractor.
A common question that OIWC patients who are victims of a car accident ask Dr. Ressler is “how often do I need to get adjusted after my accident?” To answer, here is a quick breakdown of what can be expected during the initial visits. Experienced auto accident recovery chiropractor, Dr. Ressler’s absolute highest goal is to give you immediate pain relief. Dr. Ressler will begin first by reviewing your medical history and activities of daily living. He will then perform a comprehensive neurological, orthopedic, and musculoskeletal examination. Upon his findings, he will give you an initial diagnosis of your injuries. Therefore, unless there are complications with your injuries, after you have been diagnosed, he will perform an adjustment. Because Dr. Ressler’s style of adjusting does not involve twisting of snapping of the neck and low back, you can get safe quick relief. He treats auto accident injuries with a specialized instrument called an “activator.” By using the activator method, he corrects the position of the specific misaligned joint. The activator method is effective for misaligned joints of the spine and/or extremities. Pain is caused when the joint is out of alignment which places pressure or irritate the nerves. Once the pressure has been taken off the nerves, the pain will be alleviated. The activator method is very gentle and versatile. This makes the activator ideal to treat most symptoms related to a car accident.
Dr. Ressler will order diagnostic imaging such as an MRI to get additional information regarding your injuries. If he feels you need an MRI, he will refer you to a qualified imaging center. After you receive your diagnostic imaging, the center will send the report directly to the OIWC office. Once he has received the MRI findings, he will design a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific injuries and needs. Dr. Ressler will coordinate your care providing physical therapy and refer you to orthopedic doctors should your injuries be severe.
The treatment plan and frequency of your adjustments depend on the intensity of the pain and type of injuries. In the beginning due to your injuries, the misaligned joints may move back out of position in a day or so after being put back in place by DR. Ressler. Therefore, you may start with frequent appointments for the first week, that eventually will be spaced out as your pain levels improve and your injuries recover. Dr. Ressler will monitor your progress at every appointment to ensure you are healing optimally. As pain levels have significantly decreased, the number of treatments per week will be reduced. Most Oviedo Injury and Wellness Center’s patients see an improvement in their range of motion, flexibility, strength, and pain levels within 3-4 visits.
Eventually when your pain has been completely diminished your treatment plan will no longer be required. However, to maintain alignment and prevent future injury, Dr. Ressler suggests regular maintenance appointments. Oviedo Injury and Wellness Center’s patients typically schedule quarterly “spinal tune-ups” (once per three months) to preserve alignment.
When it comes to the original question of “how often do I need to treat with my auto accident doctor/chiropractor,” the takeaway is that everyone heals at different rates. So, the answer is that the length of your treatment comes down to your injuries and how quickly your body heals. Untreated injuries make your body more prone to a permanent or future injury. This is because the injured tissue has less ability to stretch or flex when it is being stressed.
For a complete guide of what to expect during your injury recovery
Dr. Ressler has helped hundreds of patients recover from auto accident injuries. He will create the perfect treatment plan that you need to for a complete rehabilitation. Oviedo Injury and Wellness Center provides customized care to all patients based on the accident and accident injuries. Using state-of-the-art technology, rest assured that your care is personalized and will give you optimal results. Are you a new patient? Are you new to chiropractic care? No problem! Call 407-977-5005 today to schedule your FREE consultation (new patients only) with OIWC’s auto accident injury chiropractor.