Man with neck pain after car accident

Auto Accident Chiropractic in Prineville

Even a low-speed collision puts tremendous force on your spine. In the split seconds of impact, your head accelerates and decelerates faster than your body can brace for, overstretching muscles, ligaments, spinal joints, discs, and nerves.

Dr. Hanes has seen real whiplash injuries from crashes as slow as 8 to 10 mph, often with barely a scratch on the vehicle. Your car is built to absorb a crash. Your spine isn’t.

Many people don’t feel significant pain until several days after the accident, but with soft tissue injuries or a mild traumatic brain injury, the sooner treatment starts, the better.

NEW PATIENTS

Common Injuries After a Car Accident

Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, some obvious right away and others that take time to surface. Care here commonly addresses:

  • Whiplash
  • Neck pain
  • Back pain
  • Headaches
  • Concussions
  • Mild traumatic brain injury
  • Shoulder injuries
  • Sciatica
  • Herniated discs
  • Pinched nerves
  • Muscle and ligament injuries
  • Joint sprains
  • Numbness and tingling

What to Expect at Your Visit

Your care starts with a detailed history and a complete orthopedic and neurological exam. X-rays are taken when indicated, and everything is carefully documented, both for your treatment plan and for your insurance claim. From there, care focuses on reducing inflammation, restoring proper spinal motion, and preventing the compensation patterns and scar tissue that can turn a minor injury into a chronic one.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I see a chiropractor after a car accident?

As soon as possible. Early evaluation helps catch injuries before they worsen, reduce inflammation, restore normal motion, and prevent long-term compensation patterns. It can also be important for insurance documentation.

Can whiplash become permanent?

It can if it isn’t treated properly. Untreated whiplash may contribute to chronic neck pain, headaches, dizziness, disc problems, and nerve irritation that can persist for years. The accident you “walked away from” at 25 can become the neck pain that won’t quit at 45.

Do you accept auto accident insurance?

Yes. The process is routine, and in many cases care may be covered through the vehicle’s personal injury protection, depending on your policy and location. It helps to bring your claim number, adjuster contact information, accident report, and ID.

Will I need X-rays or an MRI?

Not everyone does. Care starts with a medical history and complete examination, with X-rays taken when clinically indicated. An MRI may be recommended if the examination suggests a disc injury or nerve involvement.

How long does recovery take?

It depends on the injury. Minor soft-tissue injuries often improve within a few weeks, while injuries involving discs, ligaments, or nerves may take several months. Early evaluation and appropriate treatment can support recovery.

Schedule Your Auto Accident Evaluation

Whiplash and other crash injuries don’t always announce themselves right away, and waiting rarely makes them easier to treat. If you’ve been in an accident, even one that felt minor, contact Hanes Chiropractic Wellness Center to get evaluated before pain has a chance to settle in.
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Auto Accident Chiropractic Prineville OR | (541) 447-7230