Chiropractor Questions Chiropractic Adjustment

Should I see a chiro after a car accident?

I am still having some neck and upper back pain from my car accident 4 months ago. Is it too late to go see a chiropractor?

80 Answers

It is not too late to seek chiropractic help. Some neck injuries can be very serious. A chiropractic exam can result in a proper diagnosis (what is causing the pain), and potential therapy for injury rehabilitation.
Absolutely not too late to see a chiropractor. It is essential to have your spine checked out after an accident, as the doctor of chiropractic is specifically trained in these whip-lash type injuries. Proper treatments prevent future problems and further degenerative changes that happen after trauma to the spine and neck.
This should be the first Doctor you see!
All depends. Is the car accident case closed? 4 months after the accident, if you did not seek any treatment, you might still benefit from chiropractic care, just don't expect it to be part of the auto case. It is never too late to feel better after receiving adjustments.
No it is not too late. There could be damage that if not taken care of now could evolve into something worse.
It is never too late to see a chiropractor. After 16 years of practice, my oldest patient was 98 years old. You should always be examined after any trauma, either by an MD, DO, DC, or other qualified individual.

If your question is more along the lines of: "Is it too late for a car insurance company to pay for the care at a chiropractic office?" Then my answer is: It depends.
You should see a chiropractor 100% of the time after a car accident. Even if your symptoms are mild it's a good idea to get a professional evaluation to avoid more long term chronic issues which may arise when left untreated.
Yes especially if you did not have those symptoms before the car accident
After 4 months the acute phase of the healing process is complete, and symptoms should have drastically improved if they are going to heal on their own. Having pain after that much time is the way your body is telling you something is still wrong. Due to the forces involved in a motor vehicle accident you can strain muscles which causes spasm and restricted joint motion, which leads to degenerative changes over time; as well as sprain ligaments which allows joints to become unstable or misaligned, which leads to degenerative changes over time. Your body will heal with time, but it may heal in a way that leads to accelerated degenerative changes. If you are able to find a chiropractor that understands the importance of treating the soft tissues and can deliver spinal manipulations with low force adjusting techniques (you do not want to over stretch ligaments that have already been stretched through trauma) you will have a better chance to heal with minimal degenerative changes to the spine. It's never too late to go to a chiropractor because treatment can be to improve the condition, maintain the condition, or slow down the degeneration of the condition.
It's never too late to see a chiropractor and it would be a good idea if you've recently been in a car accident. The longer you wait the longer it will take to help resolve your issue. I hope this helps!
It is never too late...

Christopher A. Bowers, D.C., C.C.E.P
Chiropractic Clinic Of Iowa
214 Blairs Ferry Rd NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
Phone: (319) 378-1515
Fax: (319) 378-9292
Cell: (319) 651-2165
cbowersdc@gmail.com
www.ccofi.com
No, in many cases, symptoms may not show for several months. Seeing a chiropractor can determine the relationship of your symptoms to the accident.
It is never "too late" to see a chiropractor after an auto accident. Unfortunately, ER docs rarely refer patients, who have been involved in an accident, to chiropractors. The usual treatment is a prescription for muscle relaxers and pain killers and possibly, a work note. This is unfortunate because the soft tissue damage incurred in "whiplash" type injuries, alters the biomechanics of the spine and can lead to more disc and joint degeneration than necessary.
Soft tissue tends to heal in a way that leaves scar tissue, in a cross hatch pattern, that can cause alterations in the movement of the muscles and joints. When chiropractic care is administered early on, following a soft tissue injury, these biomechanical alterations can be addressed and corrected.
I would definitely go see a chiropractor. One of the biggest mistakes many people make is not going to a Chiropractor or Medical Doctor after an accident. Typically, the longer your take, the longer it will be for you to recover. Also, one thing that tends to happen is the development of arthritis.
No. Pain is your body's way of telling you there is some issue or dysfunction present. Letting this linger can possibly lead early onset of degenerative arthritis issues. Correction of dysfunction and spinal biomechanics to induce proper healing should help.
Yes. However, any insurance may not cover care due to the lapse in time.
It is not too late. Whereabouts do you live? If I know of anyone in your area I'd be happy to make a referral.
You should definitely see a chiropractor. Did you tell your insurance company you were experiencing pain? You will have to call them and let them know for a claim.
No, it definitely is not too late! The physical effects from car accidents can be long lasting, and the sooner you start treatment, the better.
It is not too late to see a chiropractor even though 4 months have passed since your car accident. Research shows that symptoms do not always occur immediatly after the accident and can take months to progress to the point that you realize you have a problem. A thorough histoy and examination will help determine the extent of the injury , so go see the chiropractor.
No, it's not late. However, waiting this long has created a chronic pain pathway. Make the call and get yourself out of pain. You'll be glad you did go to a Chiro. Hope this helps.
It is never too late to see a chiropractor, especially if you are still having pains stemming from an injury or an accident . Some motor vehicle accident injuries do not become evident until weeks, or in some rare cases months after the accident. The most common injury from a car collision is whiplash, which creates soft tissue damage from the sudden movement of the head in relation to the cervical spine, or neck. It sounds like you are dealing with a similar injury and could benefit from seeing a chiropractor. Hope that this helps you in anyway it can!
A car accident of 4 months duration is not too late to seek chiropractic care.
Pain is an indication of a physical disfunction. Addressing this disfunction and diagnosing the cause will go a long way to eradicating your pain.
I would recommend finding a reputable chiropractor in your area and schedule a consultation with them to see if they can help you with your pain. It would be hard to say for sure that a chiropractor can help without doing a proper physical examination and possibly x-rays. I do feel as though the chiropractor would be a good place to start. Just do your research to make sure you find a chiropractor that is genuinely concerned with getting you out of pain and not just putting you on a treatment plan and going through the motions.
Only if u want ur spine to function normal again. Ned's will not do that!
No. Although problems are best addressed immediately so they don't progressively get worse, it is usually not too late. Make sure you find a Doctor of Chiropractic who will do a thorough examination and x-ray to properly diagnose the cause of the neck and upper back pain. Only then is an individual and accurate treatment plan devised. You should also be able to open up a Personal Injury (PI) case so that the car insurance companies help to pay for the cost of care. Yours in health, Dr. Luneburg
Not at all! The sooner you see a chiropractor, the better!
Yes, I highly recommend you see a chiropractor 4 months after an accident to get proper care of your soft tissue injuries. Many of my patients don't feel pain until 3 to 6 months after a serious accident.
However, there are several other factors you will have to take into account. Has your auto insurance authorized care? They might not after waiting so long. So, you might have to use your health insurance to assist with paying for insurance.
While 4 months is a long time post-accident you will still likely benefit from seeing a Chiropractor. Following an accident the damage done will change from acute injury to sub-acute and chronic damage. Chiropractic has been shown to be not only an excellent modality for acute injury but also an excellent choice for treating chronic injury and restoring normal function and decreasing pain levels.

In Manitoba, MPI covers 100% of your Chiropractic care after an accident so there wouldn't be any costs associated if the accident occurred in Manitoba or in a vehicle insured in Manitoba. You are welcome to contact our office at 204-586-8424 for more information.
No, it is not too late. Especially after a car accident you should always see a chiropractor to get back into alignment for the nervous system to flow accordingly.
Of course it's not ! Chiropractors have made a great scientific study concerning the efficiency of chirpractic adjustments and treatment toward whiplash after a car accident. As doctors we provide the best evaluation and we are also able to refer you if it is needed. You will recover soon, no worries!
It is not too late to get chiropractic treatments at this time but it may make your symptoms worse if you wait for too long. Problem left untreated may accelerate the degeneration/aging process in the involved area(s).
Thank you for your question. I have cared for many people following a car accident. It is not too late to begin chiropractic care for your injuries. I find that the injuries from a MVA persist if they are not cared for properly. Chiropractic care is important to restore the spine to a more normal position to promote healing of the ligaments to support your spine as it heals. We would be happy to work with you to see if you could benefit from chiropractic care.

Dr Todd M Sands
No, it's not too late. Specifically in our office, we see patients sometimes 5, 10, or even 15 years post-injury.
Yes you should...there may be alignment issues as well as spasms that need to be addressed with active therapeutic exercises and passive physical medicine modalities. Finally, the need for advanced diagnostic studies may be warranted.
Absolute not, you still can go to a chiropractor. Yes, I do recommend going to a chiropractor after a car accident, we specialize in this type of incidents. Many chiropractors just work with car accidents or personal injuries. You have a year or more after your accident to go to a chiropractor, but the sooner the better.
It is never to late to see a chiropractor! You should be able to see a chiropractor under your car insurance policy so long as your case has not been closed. Sometimes, symptoms from car accidents lay dormant for many months. Having a chiropractor check you after a car accident, no matter how serious the incident is in your best interest long-term.
Yes--absolutely see a chiropractor---they are the only ones who can properly assess your skeletal structures---especially after an accident.
It is never to late to see the chiropractor. With that being said, the sooner you are able to go in and get an evaluation, the better.
It's absolutely not too late to see a chiropractor to help diagnose and treat neck and upper back pain. Happy to discuss your symptoms further. Please call my office (818) 369-4900.

Best,
Dr. Meg Zepfel D.C., M.S.G.
No. You have up to a year after the accident to seek treatment. I recommend that you seek treatment immediately because it can get worse. If you are in the Memphis area give us a call at 901-751-0939.
You should go and see a chiropractor for at least an examination.
It is never to late to see the Chiropractor. However, make sure you take any medical information you have gathered during this time, so the doctor will have a full understanding of your initial problem. In addition, allow the Chiropractor the time to completely examine you. After, the initial work up, be sure to follow the Chiropractors plan of care. Compliance is a major part of getting back your health.

Dr. McMasters
Chiropractor
Hello,
I would suggest seeing a local Chiropractor, its not too late. He or she will be able to examine you further and provide you with an explanation to your prolonged discomfort.
Its NEVER too late to see a chiropractor? I have been treating patients for 10 years who have been involved in a car accident. If you want treatment to be covered by the responsible party insurance then I would highly recommend an attorney. I work with several that will listen to your case and see if you should file a claim. If you are interested in just feeling better than call us at 770-545-8888 to schedule your appointment. I look forward to helping you.
Good afternoon,
No it is not too late for most of everything. If you don't get treated, it would be the same pain as right now or even worse as time goes by. We will take a look at your case and your situation. Most important thing is your health. You should not let it affected your health. We have the most up-to-date technologies along with chiropractic adjustments, laser, decompression table, cupping, Magnesphere, Sauna and acupressure to help you better and quicker result. Please contact us at 703-208-7352 to schedule a free consultation.
No it's not too late. as matter of fact you are still in pain after 4 months because the injury/ problem was never addressed.
Definitely not too late. Symptoms arising from a car accident can start two years after an injury and can haunt you for the rest of your life if you don't re-align your spine and re-set your muscles. Get your spine aligned by a chiropractor who does a technique called Applied Kinesiology for best results.
No, it is not too late to see a chiropractor. There are several factors that come into play as far as payment or litigation. With regards to care it's always important to get checked after an accident.
No, it is not. If you have inflammation from the car accident 4 months ago that was not corrected, the inflammation will still be there. Go get some treatments!


In peace,

Pei Vuong, D.C.

3868 W. Carson St. Ste 330
Torrance, Ca 90503
626-425-8548
www.DrPei.com
I would seek out a Gonstead chiropractor as soon as you can. They will be successful in locating the issue in the spine still causing you difficulty. All the best.
It's not too late . Of course the sooner the better. If you were able to see any other physician and/ or therapist take those results to your exam. The chiropractic physician. needs to have a baseline of the initial Start Of Care ( SOC). Hopefully, you had x-rays 4 months ago. If your claim is still open related to this accident, then it can be billed to Insurance company.

If your claim is close, yes you can still get treatments but you will be responsible for payment.

Best of Health,
Dr. Hazziez
Absolutely, it is not too late for you to receive treatment and stop the progression of your pain, however, in most cases, the longer you wait the more treatment you will need. I would be glad to assist you and answer any further questions.


It is not too late to see a Chiropractor. But it's better to see a Chiropractor physician or an Acupuncturist as early as possible to prevent more adhesion or scar tissues forming due to the injury. Most of the injured muscles and/or misaligned joints, even they are in pain, you are still using them on a daily basis. Without being treated, the pain might progressively get worse and leave you suffer from chronic pain condition.
No its not to late, sometimes pain does not come till a month after the car accident. Its never to late to start trying to feel better. Thank you!
Under the state law of Texas, you have two (2) years to make an auto claim. Never to late to seek treatment for pain..
At the 4 month mark, if you haven't let your insurance know that you have been in an accident , the likelihood of them covering care is LOW. With this said, many docs have discounted treatment plans (I have a $55/visit 4pack after the first visit) so shop around and find a good doctor who has great reviews. It might be you feel better in just a few visits (Many in one or two) and others need up to 6. With this said, my visits are 30 minutes long and we do lots of muscle work and physiotherapy homework. Remember, your body is worth it and your care shouldn't depend on who pays for it. Let pain be your guide in homecare and get massage/chiropractic care on that area until it feels back to normal...With care thereafter to ensure it is at optimum.
You should definitely see a chiropractor to evaluate your continued problems stemming from the car accident. However, auto insurance companies typically do not reimburse if you do not seek care within 2-4 weeks after the accident. You may have to use your medical insurance instead.
It's never too late to see a good chiropractor. Personally I would recommend finding someone who at the very least practices Applied Kinesiology and low force adjustments such as DNFT (Directional Non-Force Technique). Hope this helps
No, but if the problems are continuing, there is a liklihood that scar tissue has developed. This being the case, appropriate chiropractic care can rehabilitate the scar tissue and relieve the pain.
Yes, it is never to late to see a chiropractor after a car accident. It might take the healing process a little long since it has been a few months
Yes, typically you will get a whiplash after a car accident, which throws off your spinal curves. If they are not restored muscle pain and spasm will result. It may also cause arthritis in the long run.
It's not too late to get gentle neck and upper back pain relief from your car accident four months ago. I'd be happy to help you. You can call me at 247-2222.

Thank you,
Dr. Valentine
It's never too late to see a chiropractor for your auto accident. Although it is always best to be treated immediately after your car accident, it is worse to leave it as is. Do not wait for symptoms to appear to be treated following a traumatic injury.
If you are in the state of NC, the statute of limitations is up to 3 years after an accident. If you have an attorney, please check with them. I would definitely advise going to see one and get examined to determine the extent, cause, and nature of the injuries. If you are in Charlotte, we would be happy to look at all of your options. We have been treating auto injuries for over 17 years.
It is not too late at all to seek chiropractic care! I often have patients that seek chiropractic care with me for symptoms caused by car accidents from years prior, and they still achieve results. By all means, seek chiropractic care as soon as you can, especially to minimize the potential for long-term spinal damage that may have been caused by your accident.

In Health,

Dr. Chad Luce
Its definitely a great idea to see a good chiropractor, if you haven't yet.
It is never too late to go to see a Chiropractor, and the sooner you can get in to receive treatment the better. So, yes, if you are still having neck and upper back pain from a car accident 4 months ago, I would recommend finding a local Chiropractor who also offers a combination Physiotherapy Modalities and Massage Therapy as soon as you can in order to get the best results. Best of luck! -Dr. M
Yes. If it has been months since your accident and you're still having discomfort then by all means you should be examined by a chiropractor and possibly have X-rays taken of the complaint area and more if recommended by the chiropractor that you are examined by. If this reveals an issue that chiropractic can help with, then go through the treatment as chiropractors are trained to treat an array of injuries as result of a motor vehicle accident. They may refer you to a physical therapist, orthopedic or neurologist if they feel those types of providers would be better at treating you.
Good question. It isn't too late to be treated after a car accident, even though four months have passed by. Also, I have three massage therapists on staff that could work out some of the scar tissue that has possibly become an issue since your car accident. I would be glad to help you with your pain from the car accident at my office if you're interested.

Thank you, Ryan Larson

Ryan Larson DC, ATC/L
Many times Chiropractic Physicians see patients a long time after an accident. If you have had other treatments from other physicians or therapists, make an appointment with a Chiropractor for evaluation and bring your records with you. Hope this helps!
Yes. It's very important you get X-rays to see if you have lost the proper curves to the spine.
Not at all. It is never too late to receive care for your injuries. Hopefully you were evaluated and treated by another health care provider since the accident occurred. To best allow the chiropractor that you choose to help you, bring any information on prior diagnosis and treatments with you to your first visit. Good luck and get well.
The answer is yes. You should go see a chiropractor; it is not too late. I would suggest having the Chiropractor take x-rays of your spine to rule out any contraindication. With the recent car accident which you are experiencing neck and upper back pain, your body will try to find ways to adapt by forming scar tissues in those injured areas, which will decrease your ranges of motion.
Absolutely, That's probably why you are still having discomfort. The structures involved may take a while to manifest.
If you still have pain from a car accident I highly recommend you seek treatment. Did you initially go to the hospital? Do you have an attorney representing you? Please feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or concerns.
678-556-0566
Yes, potentially. Have you had care yet for this incident? Yours in health, Dr. Tim Harrigan, Chiropractic Physician  Natural. Safe. Effective. http://www.naturalhealthtucson.com/doctor/chiropractor/1007L/tucson-chiropractor/video-testimonials.htm w. 520-818-8857 f. 520-829-7162 e. DrTimHarrigan@yahoo.com http://www.NaturalHealthTucson.com 
Yes, we still see patients even after 4 months. Please call our office at 208.345.7262 to set up an appointment. Thank you, Dr. Maria
Hi,

No, it's not to late to go have your neck and upper back looked at. Whiplash injuries can have a long recovery time. Chiropractic care can help you figure out what is going on and the extent of your injuries.

Best regards,
Dr. Peets
If you are still experiencing discomfort from an automobile accident 4 months earlier, a second opinion would help you figure out what is going on and why you are still struggling with pain. A chiropractor deals with the nervous system which controls spinal movement and function of nerves, muscles and organs. Call if would like to see how your nervous system is functioning or it's lack of function.