Every day, thousands of car accidents occur in the United States. From minor fender benders to major collisions, the sudden force of an accident can leave you with injuries that aren’t always obvious right away. Even if the damage to your car looks minimal, the impact on your body may be more significant, and if left untreated, those hidden injuries can worsen over time.
Many patients wonder if they should see a chiropractor after a car accident. While every situation is different, chiropractic care is often a safe, effective, and natural way to treat many common auto-accident injuries.
At Denver Integrated Spine Center (DISC), our team of experienced chiropractors, healthcare providers, and rehabilitation specialists is committed to helping you recover fully. We offer personalized treatment programs designed to relieve pain, restore mobility, and support long-term healing, allowing you to return to the lifestyle you love.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Just as each car accident is unique, so are the injuries that may follow. In fact, according to the National Safety Council, there were roughly 4.8 million medically consulted injuries from motor vehicle accidents in 2020 alone. Ranging from mild soreness to life-threatening injuries, you should never wait to receive medical care following a car accident. Some injuries appear immediately, while others take hours or even days to surface. Because adrenaline can mask pain, you should never assume you’re uninjured after a crash.
Some of the most common auto-accident injuries treated with chiropractic care include:
Chronic Back Pain
Back pain, especially in the lower back, is one of the most frequent injuries after a collision. Without treatment, this pain may intensify, limiting your mobility and quality of life.
Whiplash
Whiplash occurs when your head is suddenly forced forward and backward. This rapid motion can strain muscles, irritate joints, and even cause disc issues. Symptoms may include stiffness, headaches, dizziness, or shoulder pain.
Muscle Pain and Soreness
Soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, and muscle tears are extremely common. These injuries often become more painful in the days following an accident.
Joint Pain and Restricted Mobility
The force of impact can affect your shoulders, hips, or knees, causing pain and reducing your range of motion.
Spinal Injuries
Misalignments, herniated discs, and nerve irritation can occur even during low-speed collisions. Prompt treatment can prevent long-term complications.
Should I Go to a Chiropractor After a Car Accident?
In many cases — yes, it’s a good idea. Chiropractic care is a non-invasive way to address the underlying issues that cause pain after an accident. Even if your symptoms seem mild, a chiropractic evaluation can detect problems before they worsen.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care After an Accident
- Pain Relief: Chiropractic adjustments help realign the spine and relieve pressure on nerves, reducing pain naturally and often decreasing reliance on medication.
- Restored Mobility: Injuries to your back, neck, or joints can severely limit your movement. Chiropractic care helps restore your natural range of motion.
- Reduced Inflammation: Adjustments help regulate inflammatory markers in the body, relieving pain and promoting healing.
- Reduced Scar Tissue: Chiropractors use specialized techniques to break down scar tissue, which helps prevent long-term stiffness and discomfort.
What to Do After a Car Accident
Knowing the right steps to take after a collision protects both your health and your ability to file a successful insurance claim:
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if symptoms haven’t appeared yet.
- Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible.
- Schedule a chiropractic evaluation if your doctor recommends follow-up care or if you feel pain, stiffness, or mobility issues.
- Keep detailed records of all treatments and appointments.
- Follow up with your insurance adjuster to ensure your care is covered.
- Consult a personal injury attorney if your claim becomes complicated or disputed.
Who Pays for Chiropractic Care After a Car Accident?
Understanding coverage is an important part of your recovery. Fortunately, Colorado laws offer several avenues for patients to receive the care they need.
Colorado Is an At-Fault State
This means the driver who caused the accident, and their insurance company, is responsible for paying medical expenses, including chiropractic care, up to policy limits.
MedPay Coverage
Colorado policies include a minimum of $5,000 in Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage unless waived in writing.
MedPay benefits include:
- Covers chiropractic care, physical therapy, massage, imaging, and more
- Pays regardless of who caused the accident
- Has no deductible
- Pays immediately, allowing treatment to begin right away
Many patients rely on MedPay first because it ensures fast access to care.
Your Health Insurance
If MedPay is unavailable or exhausted, your health insurance may help cover treatment costs, though co-pays and deductibles may apply.
Attorney Liens & Self-Pay
If insurance coverage is delayed or disputed, some patients work with an attorney on a medical lien or pay out of pocket temporarily. Our clinic regularly coordinates with injury attorneys to ensure care continues uninterrupted.
Most Common Chiropractic Therapies After an Accident
Our chiropractors use a range of evidence-based therapies to help patients recover:
- Spinal Manipulation to restore joint mobility
- Flexion-Distraction & Decompression for disc injuries and nerve irritation
- Instrument-Assisted Adjustments for a gentle, low-force approach
- Soft-Tissue Therapy, including massage, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy
- Rehab & Therapeutic Exercises to build strength and prevent stiffness
- Ultrasound & Electrical Stimulation to reduce inflammation and muscle spasms
Denver Integrated Spine Center — Car Accident Treatment Tailored To You
Car accidents are unpredictable, even for the safest drivers. If you’re ever involved in one, knowing where to turn for help can make all the difference in your recovery.
Chiropractic care can effectively treat many of the most common crash-related injuries — including whiplash, back pain, neck stiffness, joint problems, and headaches. Early treatment not only relieves pain but also helps prevent long-term complications.
For those in the Denver area, Denver Integrated Spine Center’s Dartmouth and Hampden Clinic provide comprehensive chiropractic care, physical therapy, massage therapy, and rehabilitation — all tailored to your individual needs.
Your recovery is our priority. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation and begin your path back to the life you love.