Lots of folks prefer to treat with a chiropractor, and there’s a lot to be said for hands-on treatment, as opposed to medication or just letting time take its course.
Injury victims suffering from “whiplash” tend to get good results from chiropractic care, and there are various types of chiropractic treatment, depending on the chiropractor.
These days some chiropractors work with excellent massage therapists.
Some are educated in nutrition and kinesiology, as well.
In short, there are many excellent chiropractors. Many are true experts in treating injury victims. They play a big role in treating victims of auto accidents, especially for soft tissue or “whiplash” personal injuries.
“Whiplash” is a term used to describe a constellation of symptoms associated with soft tissue injuries to the neck area. It is very real, legitimate and well recognized in the medical literature, although it has been misused to imply an exaggerated injury to the neck.
Anyone who has sustained “whiplash” can tell it ain’t no fun, and can be very disabling.
My advice to injury victims is seek treatment, and, by all means, go with what works.
For some people it might be physical therapy, others medication or acupuncture– whatever.
I’ve helped many injury victims who have had good luck with chiropractic treatment, and others who just wasted lots of money with it.
Some are just interested in treating an injury victim only while the funds are available. This can be seen where the client has med-pay under his/her own policy. Some chiropractors are masters at finding that coverage and maximizing it to pay their own bills. When the med-pay is exhausted, the injury victim is determined not to need additional treatment.
Chiropractors are like lawyers. There are excellent ones, and unethical ones. I suppose this goes for any field.
It is perfectly acceptable for a chiropractor or any medical professional to use “med-pay”, but it should not be his entire focus. Injury victims can sense whether or not the chiropractor is more concerned with maximizing his pay, or the patient’s health and well-being.
The following, in my opinion, is key:
I always recommend that my clients also treat with their own family doctor.
Think of the family physician as your quarterback, who is involved with all your medical care.
The family doctor will refer you to any specialist you need to see, and should follow your care from start to finish.
If you would like chiropractic care for an issue like “whiplash” or anything else, talk with your family doctor.
More than likely your family doctor will go along with your request, and your medical records will reflect chiropractic care with the permission of, or better yet, upon referral, of the family physician.
No insurance company will then be able to successfully say you are seeking chiropractic care just to build up a case.
There is still a mis-perception out there that seriously injured folks don’t treat with chiropractors. These folks need to see more.
That’s why getting your family doctor’s blessing on your care is very important.
Doing so will be good for your medical health and legal condition, and you’ll be covering all the bases.
Keep your strength.
Charlie Donahue
injury lawyer
Keene, New Hampshire