Chiropractic treatment focuses on manipulating the Musculoskeletal System to improve overall health. Each chiropractor will have their own approach to your treatment that aims to restore the proper range of motion to your joints.
Signs You Should See a Chiropractor:
- You Have Pain and Tightness
- You Have Constant Headaches/Nausea
- Lingering Stiffness
- Decreased Range of Motion in Your Extremities or Spine
- You’ve Been in a Car Accident
What Do I Need for My Chiropractic Visit?
You will need to be able to provide health insurance information, medical history, legal identification, and some form of payment.
If your visit to a chiropractor is for auto accident treatment, you will need to be able to provide the following in addition to the above listed: physician referral, auto insurance claim number, insurance company and adjuster, accident details, and prior treatment. Let your chiropractor know if your pain has caused you to miss school or work or has significantly impacted your daily life. Additionally, you may want to discuss whiplash with your chiropractor as those who are involved in car accidents often sustain mild to severe injuries.
What Should I Expect From My First Visit?
The chiropractic office will have you complete a patient intake form. In this form, you’ll indicate the origin and longevity of any pain, detail any injuries you’ve sustained, and provide your medical history.
Prior to the adjustment, you’ll have a conversation with your chiropractor regarding soreness and joint mobility. Your chiropractor will perform range of motion, and orthopedic tests to evaluate joint articulation.
After the adjustment, your chiropractor may facilitate the use of an Intersegmental Traction Table and/or Electric Stimulation to help your muscles relax. The Traction Table will increase mobility in your spine by improving the circulation of spinal fluids. Electric stimulation uses a weak electric current to contract and release your muscles repeatedly to promote tension relief. Your chiropractor may recommend home remedy techniques such as stretches and simple exercises.
After an adjustment, you may experience soreness or stiffness as pressure is released from the joint capsules. Your muscles may also try to reestablish the previous position they maintained due to muscle memory. Hence it’s important to be consistent in your treatment to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness thereof.
Common Misconceptions:
Some people believe that they can pop their joints in any manner, with no consequences. However, cracking your joints in the same direction repetitively can be damaging to your range of motion. Repetitive movement in the same direction can cause hypermobility or immobility. For example, if you always pop your neck to the left, the range of motion favors the left side, making it difficult to properly complete movements on your right side.
Furthermore, many believe that the popping sound chiropractors are famous for comes from the cracking of bones. However, this sound originates from the air bubbles found in the synovial fluid that surrounds and lubricates the joints.
Covering Chiropractic Care Costs:
Health Insurance: Check with your chiropractic office when arranging an appointment to verify that they accept your health insurance.
Accident Recovery Care: In the case of an accident, using health insurance is not necessary. Your auto insurance may cover chiropractic treatment. Furthermore, if you reside in any of the following states your recovery treatment may be covered by PIP (Personal Injury Protection): Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and the region Washington D.C.
Cash/No insurance: Many chiropractic offices offer cash discounts for those who are not covered by insurance.
Were you or someone you know involved in a recent auto accident? Call Auto Accident Care Network now at 801-683-1948 to connect with a live care advocate. Our team at AACN can connect you to trusted attorneys and doctors to schedule a free legal consultation, a free thirty-minute massage, and a no-cost medical exam!
Comments are closed.