Last Updated on March 15, 2024

Auto accidents can have a profound impact on your physical well-being. The sudden jolt of a collision can lead to neck and back pain, headaches, and a range of other uncomfortable symptoms. Another common injury that arises from auto accidents is whiplash. Chiropractic care is a popular choice for individuals seeking relief from these injuries. A common question that we hear is, “How many chiropractic sessions will I need after a car accident?”

Table of Contents

The Importance of Prompt Care

Before we delve into the number of chiropractic sessions you might need, it’s essential to understand the significance of prompt care. Seeking medical attention, including chiropractic care, as soon as possible after an auto accident is crucial for several reasons:

Early Diagnosis: Prompt care can lead to an early diagnosis of injuries, which rules out any dangerous symptoms and is essential for proper treatment.

Preventing Chronic Pain: Addressing injuries promptly can prevent them from becoming chronic conditions, saving you from prolonged pain and discomfort.

Legal Documentation: Seeking immediate care also provides essential documentation of your injuries which is often important for insurance claims or legal action later.

Physical and Emotional Relief: Early care can provide both physical relief from pain and emotional relief from the stress of the accident.

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Factors Affecting the Number of Chiropractic Sessions

The number of chiropractic sessions you’ll need after a car accident can vary significantly based on several factors:

Severity of Injuries

The extent of your injuries is a critical factor in determining the number of chiropractic sessions required. Mild injuries may only require a few sessions, while more severe injuries might necessitate a longer course of treatment.

Type of Injuries

The type of injuries you sustained in the accident also plays a role. Chiropractors can address a wide range of injuries, including whiplash, soft tissue injuries, and spinal misalignments. The specific injuries you have will dictate the treatment plan.

Individual Healing Speed

Everyone’s body heals at a different rate. Some individuals may respond quickly to chiropractic care and experience significant relief in just a few sessions, while others might require a more extended treatment plan.

Adherence to the Treatment Plan

Consistency in attending chiropractic sessions is crucial. Adhering to the treatment plan recommended by your chiropractor will likely lead to faster and more effective results. Often home exercises, movements or stretches are prescribed. Adherence to these exercises can also reduce the number of treatments needed.

Pre-Existing Conditions

If you had pre-existing musculoskeletal conditions or injuries before the accident, your chiropractic treatment plan may be more complex, and the number of sessions required could be influenced by these factors.

Age and Overall Health

Your age and overall health can impact how quickly you heal. Generally, younger individuals tend to heal more quickly than older individuals. Good overall health can also contribute to a faster recovery. A history of proper diet and exercise will usually contribute to shorter overall treatment times.

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What to Expect During Chiropractic Treatment

Chiropractic treatment typically involves a combination of techniques aimed at reducing pain, improving mobility, and promoting overall healing. Here’s what you can expect during chiropractic sessions:

Initial Evaluation: Your chiropractor will conduct a thorough evaluation to assess your condition, including a physical examination and potentially X-rays or other diagnostic tests.

Spinal Adjustments: Chiropractors often use spinal adjustments to realign the spine, reduce pain, and improve nerve function.

Soft Tissue Therapy: Soft tissue therapies, such as massage and myofascial release, may be employed to relieve muscle tension and promote healing.

Exercise and Stretching: You may be given specific exercises and stretches to perform at home to enhance your recovery.

Nutritional Guidance: Some chiropractors offer nutritional advice to support your body’s healing processes.

Progress Assessments: Your progress will be regularly monitored, and your treatment plan will be adjusted according to how well your healing or if your symptoms evolve and change over time.

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Average Number of Chiropractic Sessions

While the number of chiropractic sessions needed after a car accident varies from person to person, a typical treatment plan may involve multiple sessions over several weeks. Here’s a general guideline:

Initial Phase: The first phase may involve more frequent sessions, such as 2-3 times per week, for a few weeks to address acute pain and discomfort.

Intermediate Phase: As your condition improves, sessions may become less frequent, perhaps once a week or every other week.

Maintenance Phase: Once you’ve achieved significant relief, you may transition to a maintenance phase with occasional sessions to prevent the recurrence of symptoms.

It’s essential to communicate openly with your chiropractor throughout your treatment. They will continuously assess your progress and adjust your treatment plan as necessary.

The Importance of a Holistic Approach

Chiropractic care is most effective when combined with a holistic approach to recovery. This includes following your chiropractor’s recommendations for at-home exercises, maintaining a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and getting adequate rest. Additionally, if your chiropractor believes that complementary therapies like acupuncture or massage would benefit you, they may refer you to specialists.

Insurance Coverage

If you’re concerned about the cost of chiropractic care after a car accident, call a knowledgeable clinic. All Oregon auto insurance policies include coverage for chiropractic care as part of your medical benefits. But if your coverage if from another state this might not be the case. Be sure to contact your insurance provider to understand your coverage and any requirements for filing claims.

In Conclusion

The number of chiropractic sessions you might need after a car accident in Portland is influenced by various factors, including the severity of your injuries and your individual healing rate. Prompt care, adherence to your treatment plan, and a holistic approach to recovery can all contribute to a smoother and more effective healing process. Consult with an experienced chiropractor who specializes in auto accident injuries to create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Remember that seeking care as soon as possible is crucial to your well-being and the success of your recovery.

Katherine V.

March 9, 2023.

While recovering from injuries sustained from a car accident, I have seen a few different acupuncturists as well as a chiropractor and masseuse at Inner Gate, and I have appreciated them all. The care I've received has been stellar - compassionate, personable, considerate, and soothing. Truly, Inner Gate practitioners have greatly helped me in my healing process. Thank you!

Abbie W.

July 26, 2022.

I have been seeing Nick Maxwell for Craniosacral massage for the last several months after a car accident left me with whiplash, nagging low back pain, a mild concussion, and stress and anxiety. He is an incredibly gifted healer that has helped me immensely! I have had a plethora of bodywork over the years, and I can undoubtedly say that his massages are the best. He has also helped with digestive issues/SIBO/nervous system recovery. I would never see anyone else again after finding him. I am much calmer, happier, and healing well thanks in big part to his care.

Elizabeth M.

February 10, 2022.

Well, I will start by saying that Nicholas Maxwell is my favorite massage therapist. I went to him after 1 year of shoulder pain. Before going to him, I was waiting for the pain to just go away; it didn't. He was the first person I sought any help from. I'm sorry to say, I didn't expect that much relief from a massage but after about 3 sessions I felt close to cured of 1 whole year of pain! He recommended a great physical therapist to solve my shoulder stiffness and pain. My pt said that Nick did a great job of loosening up the muscles for a quicker recovery. Nick seemed to wipe out all the surface pain and extraneous tenderness so that my pt could pinpoint my injury which turned out to be shoulder tendonitis. Now I see both of them concurrently. They both gave the same estimate for recovery, which was shorter than I thought it would be. I've had more that 50 massages in my lifetime (CA, NY, NV), Nick is the only massage therapist I have been to that leaves me feeling better for days and days after the actual massage. If I could describe what Nick's massages feel like, it would be like this: If the ocean waves had massaging hands, they would be Nick's. Before going to Nick, I am a chuck steak. After my massage, I am filet mignon. What can I say, Nick Is Awesome!!

Julian J.

November 4, 2021.

My physical therapist suggested acupuncture for my chronic knee injury in July 2021. I'm going to explain my story, but I want to say at the beginning that Emma Ellsworth at Inner Gate Health & Wellness saved me from a life of chronic pain. It's really difficult and frustrating to find good care anywhere these days, so trust me when I tell you that you can end your search now. Just call Inner Gate and ask for Emma. I always find it helpful to read health care reviews from folks who suffer from the same issues as me, so here's a bit about my medical history: My orthopedic physician diagnosed me with IT band syndrome in my right knee in January 2021. I began a course of physical therapy, but not only did the IT band syndrome not get better, I actually developed IT band syndrome in my left leg due to overcompensation. I pushed myself a little too hard and started noticing that even very light exercise would cause my symptoms to flare up (inflammation, pain, swelling, etc.). By May 2021, I could not walk more than 3 blocks at a time without my knees flaring up. Keep in mind that I'm an otherwise healthy person in my mid-30s. I then developed hamstring tendinopathy in both legs, I assume to disuse. Along with preexisting patellofemoral pain syndrome issues, suffice to say that my knees were totally busted, okay. After all that, my physical therapist and orthopedic physician basically threw their hands up and suggested either cortisone shots for the rest of my life, acupuncture, or prescription pain medication that I really shouldn't be taking due to family history of hypertension. In comes Emma. I'm a huge believer in modern Western medicine and everything, but Emma succeeded where two physical therapists, a physiatrist, my orthopedic physician, and my primary care doctor all failed. Emma succeeded not only because she did something they did not - acupuncture - but she succeeded because she was more effective and patient at taking time to find the actual root cause of my issues. She is super methodical about interviewing me at the beginning of every session, evaluating what worked / didn't work from last time, trying out new areas for acupuncture, and over the course of 4 weeks eventually found an acupuncture solution that reduced my pain. I remember when it happened - I had an acupuncture session one Friday in October, and two days later I was going for a walk and ended up walking like 3 times further than I had walked in the past 6 months. I stopped and was like, "Wow my legs don't hurt at all." The pain literally vanished, went from a 5-6/10 on the pain scale all day every day down to 0-1. The massive pain reduction has allowed me to resume my physical therapy exercises with less pain and start rebuilding my knee strength. I still go to acupuncture to deal with some knee meniscus issues and overall wellness / mental health issues. Honestly, I feel such a tremendous sense of wellness after every acupuncture session that I kind of don't ever want to stop going. Anyway, if you made it this far, thanks for reading and hopefully my story is helpful. Seriously, go see the folks at Inner Gate. You won't regret it!!

Mitchell P.

October 19, 2021.

Inner Gate Health & Wellness provides exceptional care! Their staff, specifically Emma Ellsworth, is skillful, compassionate, and effective at providing holistic healing services, including acupuncture. I highly recommend treatment with Inner Gate and Emma Ellsworth for symptoms including depression, anxiety, pelvic floor pain, back pain, and digestion issues.

Ruben S.

April 15, 2021.

This is a long overdue, rave review for Terry. I've been to many acupuncturists over the last decade and she is hands down the most helpful and accommodating. I came in with a very unsolvable problem (tinnitus) and had tried everything before coming to Terry. Terry has helped improve my symptoms with Tinnitus and a number of other issues. She's also extremely patient and takes time out of every session at the beginning to go over progress and how I'm feeling. She has a good understanding of my problems and is always ready with solutions to help. Acupuncture with Terry is one of the highlights of my week -- thank you for being so great!!

Dr. Kaley B.

November 28, 2020.

Very impressed! Great acupuncture, well organized front desk. Liz is fantastic, and I'm not a fan of needles. Finally got some relief from back and neck pain. Looking forward to a few more sessions!

Abbie W.

September 15, 2020.

I highly recommend Oliver Leonetti at Innergate Acupuncture! I have seen him for the last 12 years for various ailments - ranging from nagging sports injuries to digestive issues to insomnia/anxiety, and he always provides the highest level of care that truly lasts. Not only is he extremely knowledgeable and skilled, but he is super kind and caring and always take the time to truly listen. I always feel better after leaving my appointment. I honestly do not know what I would do without Oliver or Innergate Acupuncture! Also, I've seen several of the acupuncturists there, and they are all fantastic as well.

M W.

July 9, 2020.

I can't recommend these guys enough! I have a 10 yr old competitive skier who was having some knee pain & had never had acupuncture done before...not only did these guys gently ease him into the entire process - they also helped him get back on the ski hill after the first couple of treatments I was super impressed with their professionalism & how both Liz and Casey approached his injury - now my little guy looks forward to going to his acupuncture appointments! Yay! Thank you a zillion times over for taking such good care of my little guy.

Abby J.

January 9, 2020.

I used to think acupuncture was sort of hokey. Not total witchcraft, but definitely not the magic, cure-all that people said. Well, folks, a few months in and I can report that I'm a changed woman! Well, really, it only took one session. Terry took my whole health history into consideration and helped with everything. Anxiety, sleeplessness, colds, ankle injuries, back pain--you name it. I've come in with problems and always left improved. I'm sure all the acupuncturists are lovely, but I want to stress how awesome Terry is. She takes my concerns seriously without making me feel like I'm at a stuffy doctors office. She approaches her work with humor and friendliness and is spot on with her treatment. Terry has made me feel comfortable from the get-go and has made my weekly appointments something for me to look forward to. My friends all have heard me rave about her, so I'd say everyone I know should go see her, but then I may never be able to squeeze in my appointments again! Just kidding, of course. Also, big props to the front desk staff too. They have been super kind and helpful when guiding me through insurance issues or unexpected after work traffic. I'd highly recommend Inner Gate SE to anyone with any ailment!

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