How Chiropractic Care Helps
After a car accident, it's common to feel fine at first. Adrenaline masks pain, and many injuries — especially soft tissue injuries like whiplash — don't show up until 24 to 72 hours later. By the time symptoms appear, inflammation and compensatory tension have already set in.
Getting evaluated early is one of the most important things you can do for your recovery. Chiropractic care addresses the root cause of your pain rather than masking it with medication, helping your body heal the way it was designed to.
What We Treat
Whiplash Whiplash is the most common injury from rear-end collisions. The sudden back-and-forth motion of the neck strains muscles, ligaments, and joints. Symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, headaches, shoulder tension, and difficulty turning your head. Left untreated, whiplash can lead to chronic pain and reduced range of motion.
Back Pain After a Car Accident The force of impact — even at low speeds — can compress the spine, irritate discs, and strain the muscles that support your back. We see lower back pain and mid-back pain frequently after accidents, and both respond well to chiropractic care.
Headaches Post-accident headaches are often cervicogenic — meaning they originate in the neck. Spinal misalignments and muscle tension from the crash can refer pain into the head. Chiropractic adjustments that restore proper cervical alignment frequently resolve these headaches.
Soft Tissue Injuries Muscles, tendons, and ligaments absorb a tremendous amount of force during a collision. Soft tissue injuries are painful and slow to heal without the right support. We combine chiropractic adjustments with soft tissue therapy and massage to promote circulation and reduce inflammation.
Nerve Pain and Tingling If you're experiencing shooting pain, tingling, or numbness in your arms, legs, or hands after an accident, it may be a sign of nerve irritation from a compressed or inflamed spinal structure. Early evaluation and care can prevent these symptoms from worsening.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after an accident should I see a chiropractor? As soon as possible — ideally within 24 to 72 hours. Early care reduces inflammation, prevents compensatory injury patterns from forming, and creates a documented record of your injuries, which can be important if you file a PIP or personal injury claim.
What if I don't feel pain yet? This is actually when it's most important to get evaluated. Many accident injuries are "silent" at first. An evaluation catches issues before they become bigger problems.
Do I need a referral? No. You can book directly with us. If your primary care provider or attorney wants to coordinate care, we're happy to communicate with them as well.
Will my insurance cover this? Oregon's PIP law covers chiropractic care after an auto accident regardless of fault. We also accept most major health insurance plans. Call us and we'll verify your coverage before your first visit.
How many visits will I need? It depends on the nature and severity of your injuries. Some patients recover in just a few visits; others benefit from a longer course of care. We'll give you an honest assessment and a clear care plan at your first appointment.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first appointment is focused on one thing: understanding exactly what happened to your body and what it needs to heal.
We'll start with a thorough consultation — you'll walk us through the accident, when symptoms started, and how you're feeling day to day. From there, we perform a physical and neurological exam to assess your range of motion, muscle strength, and spinal alignment. If X-rays are needed, we can discuss that at your visit.
By the end of your first appointment, you'll have a clear picture of what's going on and a personalized care plan — no vague timelines, no pressure. Just honest answers and a path forward.
Most first visits take about 45 to 60 minutes. Same-day and next-day appointments are available, and we handle PIP insurance paperwork so you don't have to.
What a Typical Care Plan Looks Like
Phase 1 — Relief Care
Phase 2 — Rehabilitation
Phase 3 — Maintenance & Prevention
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance
Oregon drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, which means your treatment is covered regardless of who was at fault in the accident. You don't need to wait for a claim to be settled to start care.
We work with PIP insurance directly and can help you understand your coverage so you can focus on healing rather than paperwork. Learn more about PIP coverage →
Easy Scheduling
We make it simple to get started
Same-day and next-day appointments
Convenient scheduling
Friendly, responsive team
Insurance Accepted
Personal Injury Proctection Accepted
