Auto Accident Chiropractic Care in Walnut Creek, California

Been in a Car Accident? Your Body May Be Telling You Something Changed

The accident may have happened in seconds, but afterward you may start noticing that your body doesn't feel quite the same.

Maybe your neck feels stiff when you turn your head. Your back hurts when you sit, stand, or get out of the car. You may notice soreness through your shoulders or find that movements you normally don't think twice about suddenly feel uncomfortable.

Or maybe you walked away from the accident feeling relatively okay and started noticing discomfort later.

At Stojanovich Chiropractic in Walnut Creek, California, Dr. Nick Stojanovich regularly evaluates and treats patients following auto accidents. With more than 27 years in chiropractic practice, he understands that every collision and every person involved in one is different.

The first step is finding out what you're experiencing and determining what type of care is appropriate for you.

Whiplash, Neck Pain and Stiffness After a Car Accident

Whiplash is commonly associated with rear-end collisions and occurs when the neck moves rapidly backward and forward during an impact.

Symptoms can include neck pain and stiffness, reduced range of motion, headaches, and discomfort involving the shoulders, upper back or arms. Symptoms don't necessarily appear immediately following the collision and may become noticeable afterward.

If you're experiencing symptoms following an accident, an appropriate evaluation can help determine what's going on and whether chiropractic care is appropriate.

Back Pain and Changes in Movement After an Auto Accident

Your neck isn't the only area that can be affected by a collision.

After an auto accident, some people notice discomfort or changes involving the lower or upper back, shoulders, hips, muscles, joints, or everyday movement.

You might notice it when you:

  • Turn your head while driving

  • Sit at your desk

  • Bend or lift

  • Get in and out of your car

  • Exercise

  • Sleep or change positions

  • Carry groceries

  • Take care of your children

  • Return to work or normal activities

Those details matter.

Rather than looking only at where you hurt, Dr. Stojanovich considers how the accident and your symptoms are affecting the way you move and function throughout your day.

What If I Didn't Feel Pain Immediately After My Car Accident?

Feeling relatively okay immediately following an accident doesn't necessarily mean you'll feel the same way later.

Some symptoms associated with whiplash and other musculoskeletal injuries can become noticeable in the hours or days following an accident.

That's one reason it's important to pay attention to changes in how you feel and function after a collision.

If you develop pain, stiffness, restricted movement or other concerning symptoms following an accident, seek an appropriate healthcare evaluation. Certain symptoms or injuries may require medical evaluation, emergency care, diagnostic imaging, or another healthcare provider rather than or before chiropractic treatment.

What Happens During an Auto Accident Chiropractic Evaluation?

When you come to Stojanovich Chiropractic after a car accident, your visit begins with a conversation.

Dr. Stojanovich will ask about the collision, what you experienced at the time, when your symptoms began, what you're feeling now, your health history, and how your normal activities have been affected.

Your examination may include appropriate orthopedic and neurological testing and an evaluation of movement and other relevant findings.

This isn't about assuming that everyone who has been in an accident needs the same treatment.

It's about gathering the information needed to determine what may be appropriate for you.

X-Rays and Diagnostic Imaging After a Car Accident

Not every person involved in a car accident needs the same type of imaging.

When Dr. Stojanovich determines that X-rays or other diagnostic imaging may be appropriate, he can refer you for the appropriate studies.

Imaging can sometimes be important for identifying or ruling out injuries and conditions that require different care. If your examination or symptoms indicate that another healthcare professional or a different level of care is needed, Dr. Stojanovich can make an appropriate referral.

Chiropractic Care After an Auto Accident

If chiropractic care is appropriate for your condition, Dr. Stojanovich will discuss his findings and recommendations with you.

Care may include chiropractic adjustments and supportive therapies selected according to your examination, symptoms, stage of care, and individual needs.

There isn't one automatic “car accident treatment.”

The therapies recommended for one patient may not be the same as those recommended for another. Your care is based on what Dr. Stojanovich finds during your evaluation and how you respond as care progresses.

You'll also have an opportunity to ask questions and understand what is being recommended and why.

Experience With Auto Accident & Personal Injury Cases

Auto accident and personal injury cases are an established part of Dr. Nick Stojanovich's practice.

Dr. Stojanovich regularly works with patients following motor vehicle accidents, including individuals experiencing whiplash and other musculoskeletal concerns after a collision.

And we understand that an accident can involve more than your physical care.

There may be insurance questions, documentation, communication with an attorney, imaging referrals, and other details that suddenly become part of your life at the same time you're trying to get back to your normal routine.

Our office is familiar with that process and can help you understand the aspects of your case that relate to your chiropractic care.

Working With Personal Injury Attorneys and Medical Liens

If you're working with a personal injury attorney following your car accident, Stojanovich Chiropractic can work with your attorney as part of your case.

Our office accepts appropriate personal injury liens and can provide documentation and reports related to your chiropractic evaluation and care.

You do not need to figure out every administrative detail before contacting us.

Let us know about your situation when you schedule, including whether you're already represented by an attorney, and our office can discuss the next steps that apply to your case.

Auto Insurance and MedPay for Chiropractic Care

Questions about payment are common after an auto accident.

Depending on your individual situation and available coverage, our office can work with applicable automobile insurance and MedPay for accident-related chiropractic care.

Coverage, benefits and individual circumstances vary, so we won't make assumptions about what your particular policy will pay.

Our office can discuss your situation with you and explain the information we need to help determine how your accident-related care will be handled.

Do I Need an Attorney Before Seeing a Chiropractor?

You don't need to wait until you have every part of your accident case figured out before contacting our office.

Some patients already have a personal injury attorney when they first call us. Others don't.

If you are represented, our office can work with your attorney and provide appropriate documentation relating to your chiropractic care. Decisions about whether you need legal representation are separate from your healthcare, and we don't provide legal advice.

When Should I Seek Care After a Car Accident?

If you're experiencing neck or back pain, stiffness, limited movement, headaches, numbness, tingling or other symptoms following an accident, it's important to seek appropriate healthcare evaluation.

Some symptoms following trauma can indicate injuries that require urgent or emergency medical attention. Severe pain after a significant collision, weakness, difficulty walking, loss of consciousness, confusion, worsening neurological symptoms, or other serious concerns should be evaluated promptly by an appropriate medical professional or emergency department.

Chiropractic care is not a substitute for emergency medical evaluation when one is needed.

Once immediate medical concerns have been addressed, Dr. Stojanovich can evaluate whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for your musculoskeletal concerns.

Chiropractor Serving Walnut Creek and the East Bay

Stojanovich Chiropractic is located in Walnut Creek, California and serves patients from Walnut Creek and surrounding Contra Costa County and East Bay communities.

If you've been searching for a car accident chiropractor, auto accident chiropractor, or chiropractic care for whiplash in the Walnut Creek area, you may have a lot of questions right now.

That's okay.

You don't need to know exactly what treatment you need before you call. That's what the evaluation is for.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractic Care After a Car Accident

Can I See a Chiropractor After a Minor Car Accident?

The amount of visible vehicle damage doesn't tell us everything about what you're experiencing physically. If you develop musculoskeletal pain, stiffness, limited movement or other symptoms after an accident, an appropriate healthcare evaluation can help determine what type of care you may need.

 

Can Whiplash Symptoms Appear After the Accident?

Yes. Symptoms associated with whiplash can begin after the collision rather than necessarily being apparent immediately. If you develop neck pain, stiffness, headaches, reduced movement or other symptoms following an accident, seek an appropriate healthcare evaluation.

 

Will I Need X-Rays After My Car Accident?

Not everyone needs the same imaging. Dr. Stojanovich will evaluate your individual situation and can refer you for X-rays or other diagnostic imaging when appropriate.

 

Does Dr. Stojanovich Treat Whiplash?

Dr. Nick Stojanovich regularly evaluates and treats patients with appropriate musculoskeletal concerns following auto accidents, including patients experiencing whiplash-related neck pain and stiffness.

 

Does Stojanovich Chiropractic Work With Personal Injury Attorneys?

Yes. Our office works with personal injury attorneys and can provide appropriate documentation and reports related to your chiropractic evaluation and treatment.

 

Does Stojanovich Chiropractic Accept Personal Injury Liens?

Yes. The office accepts appropriate personal injury liens. Contact us so we can discuss the details of your individual case.

 

Can You Bill Auto Insurance or MedPay?

Our office can work with applicable automobile insurance and MedPay. Benefits and coverage vary, so we'll discuss your individual situation rather than promising coverage before it has been determined.

 

What Should I Bring to My First Appointment After a Car Accident?

When you schedule, our office can tell you exactly what is needed for your situation. Depending on your case, that may include insurance information, accident or claim information, information from your attorney if you're represented, and relevant medical or imaging records you already have.

 

Schedule an Auto Accident Chiropractic Evaluation in Walnut Creek, California

After a car accident, there can be a lot to sort through.

Your healthcare shouldn't feel like another puzzle you have to solve by yourself.

If you're experiencing pain, stiffness, changes in movement, or other musculoskeletal concerns following an accident, contact Stojanovich Chiropractic to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Nick Stojanovich.

We'll start by listening to what happened, understanding what you're experiencing now, and determining the appropriate next step for your care.

Schedule your auto accident chiropractic evaluation in Walnut Creek, California.