After a car accident, the last thing you want to do is worry about which doctor is going to take the best care of you. Whether you are looking for a car accident chiropractor or wondering whether a physical therapist is recommended, your doctor may recommend a variety of combinations depending on your injuries and any chronic pain. While chiropractic and physical therapy are not the same, they do have a lot in common. Here are a few things to know about if you’ve been injured in a car accident.
Goals of Chiropractic and Physical Therapy
The goal of any therapeutic doctor is to help you feel better as swiftly and effectively as possible. Chiropractic care aims to relieve pain through a natural, non-invasive treatment and help you experience healing and restoration after an injury. Chiropractors assess your spinal cord and identify what are called subluxations, or misalignments of vertebrae and joints. The spinal cord is what houses and protects the body’s nervous system and how the brain communicates with the rest of the body. Chiropractors use gentle adjustment techniques to realign the spine and restore proper flow of communication in the body.
The goal of physical therapy is to help you recover and heal from back pain or any sorts of pain and injuries through learning and practicing exercises and rehabilitation techniques to use at home and in the weeks and months to come. A physical therapist aims to educate and empower you to engage in treatment activities that will help restore function and flow to your daily life. Depending on the severity of your injury or pain, a physical therapist uses a variety of treatment techniques to help promote healing through strengthening your musculoskeletal system. Physical therapists work with you to relearn and practice new ways of going about your everyday activities in a healthy way.
Education for Chiropractors and Physical Therapists
Chiropractors earn a doctor of chiropractic while physical therapists earn a doctor of physical therapy degree. Chiropractors learn about the spine, the musculoskeletal system, and the nervous system, through a combination of post-secondary education, clinical supervision, internships, and more. Chiropractors also learn about radiology and how to use diagnostic imaging tools like X-rays to help get a better picture of a patient’s spine in order to provide the best quality care. Chiropractors may also spend additional time and education on specific areas of treatment, such as car accident chiropractor treatments. Physical therapists also require post-secondary education specifically for physical therapy education. An average physical therapy education program is three to four years long.
Chiropractic Treatments for Car Accident Injuries
Car accident injuries are commonly treated by chiropractors because of how often these types of injuries are related to the neck, back, joints, and supporting muscles. If you have experienced whiplash after a car accident, chiropractic is a non-invasive, natural treatment option for relieving pain in your neck and back while also addressing how the whiplash has affected your bones and muscles. A car accident chiropractor will identify how the accident has affected your body and identify any areas of concern, such as misalignments, slipped discs, or muscle strains.
It is not uncommon for you to begin experiencing symptoms of an injury in the hours and even days following an accident as your body relaxes after the adrenaline rush and you begin to feel more pain and discomfort. Chiropractic care helps your body to heal properly without the use of medications or invasive techniques; instead, it encourages the body to heal itself through realigning the spine and encouraging healthy communication from your brain to the rest of your body.
Physical Therapy Treatments for Car Accident Injuries
Physical therapy can be an important part of your treatment after you have been injured in a car accident. This type of treatment is also natural and does not use medications to treat your injuries. Instead, a physical therapist will work with you to find ways to heal, restore your normal functioning, and get you back to participating in your daily activities. In physical therapy, you learn exercises and activities to help strengthen damaged muscles and tissues through a combination of treatments. A physical therapist will work with you to improve your flexibility, range of motion, and other ways you may have been impacted by your injury.
Treatment Plan for Car Accident Injuries
When you’ve been injured in a car accident, talk to your doctor about effective non-invasive and natural ways to treat your pain and injuries through chiropractic care and even physical therapy when necessary. By treating your pain and discomfort naturally, you avoid costly medical procedures and medications, instead opting for treatments that encourage the body to heal and restore itself.
Call now and schedule an appointment with a car accident chiropractor at AICA Orthopedics in Atlanta to learn more about how you can experience natural healing and get back on your feet today!