Even a low-speed car accident under 10 mph can cause whiplash, back injuries, joint trauma, and other soft tissue damage that may not appear for days or weeks. A chiropractic doctor near Phoenix, AZ treats car accident injuries with a comprehensive exam, digital X-rays, chiropractic adjustments, massage, and rehabilitative exercise, while coordinating documentation with personal injury attorneys and insurance providers. Car accidents commonly cause or worsen neck pain, low back pain, and disc injuries, each covered in more detail within the full list of conditions treated at this Phoenix clinic.
Do you have a network of practitioners and attorneys that you involve in your personal injury cases?
We maintain a trusted network of personal injury attorneys, medical doctors, imaging centers, and rehabilitation specialists. This enables us to deliver comprehensive care and refer patients to professionals who are knowledgeable about the legal and medical aspects of injury cases, ensuring they receive both high-quality care and effective representation if necessary.
Can a Minor Car Accident Still Cause an Injury?
Yes. It is a common misconception that only severe accidents cause injuries. Even low-speed collisions under 10 mph can result in soft tissue injuries such as whiplash, back pain, or joint trauma. Common injuries after a car accident include whiplash and neck strain, back injuries such as disc herniation and spinal misalignment, shoulder injuries, headaches or concussions, knee and joint trauma, and soft tissue injuries such as muscle strains, sprains, and bruising.
How Does Chiropractic Care Help After a Car Accident?
Chiropractic care addresses the musculoskeletal and nervous systems to reduce pain and inflammation, restore mobility and alignment, prevent long-term damage or chronic pain, and promote natural healing without relying solely on medication or surgery.
Should I Visit a Chiropractic Doctor After a Car Accident Even Without Pain?
Yes. Car accidents can cause hidden injuries such as whiplash, soft tissue damage, or spinal misalignment that may not show symptoms for days or even weeks. Seeing a chiropractic doctor early can relieve pain naturally, restore mobility, reduce inflammation, and prevent long-term complications from developing.
What Are My Rights to Care After a Car Accident in Phoenix, AZ?
Arizona law gives accident victims the legal right to seek medical care regardless of fault. If another driver was responsible, their insurance may cover treatment, including chiropractic care. Patients also have the right to choose their own healthcare provider, the right to be evaluated by a chiropractic doctor even after an ER or urgent care visit, and the right to have injuries properly documented for insurance and legal purposes.
How Our Care Plan Works
Find It
Through our meticulous exam process we are going to find the root cause of your problem and show you exactly what is going on.
Fix It
We will develop a custom plan of attack using our comprehensive approach that won’t just have you feeling better in the short term but will give you the lasting results that you have been looking for.
Forget It
When you aren’t feeling 100% it is hard to focus on much else. Once we get you feeling and functioning better you will be able to forget all about your problem and get back to enjoying your life!
Why Is It Important to Work With a Team That Understands Personal Injury Cases?
Working with a team experienced in personal injury cases ensures proper documentation for legal and insurance purposes, coordinates care with attorneys and other providers, develops a treatment plan that supports both recovery and claim resolution, and bills and codes accurately according to personal injury insurance requirements. This clinic maintains a trusted network of personal injury attorneys, medical doctors, imaging centers, and rehabilitation providers to support patients through the entire process.
Why Is It Important to Seek Care Sooner Rather Than Later?
Delaying care after a car accident risks worsening injuries, the development of chronic pain, more invasive treatment down the road, and difficulty linking injuries back to the accident, which can affect a legal case. Documented, timely treatment strengthens both recovery and any related claim.
Does Car Insurance Pay for a Chiropractic Doctor After a Car Accident?
In many cases, yes. Car insurance may cover chiropractic care after an accident depending on who was at fault, the type of coverage involved, such as med pay, liability, or uninsured motorist coverage, and whether an attorney is involved. Many chiropractic clinics, including this one, work directly with insurance companies and personal injury attorneys so that care can move forward with little or no upfront cost to the patient.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury that occurs when the head is forcefully and suddenly thrown backward and then forward, straining the neck muscles and ligaments. Many injuries can cause whiplash, but the most common cause of whiplash is motor vehicle accidents.
Common symptoms include, but are not limited to, neck pain and stiffness, headaches (often starting at the base of the skull), dizziness, fatigue, limited range of motion, and tingling or numbness in the arms and hands.
Chiropractic adjustments realign the spine and neck, reduce inflammation, and promote healing and overall well-being. We often utilize soft tissue therapies and therapeutic exercises to restore the range of motion and alleviate pain.
Delaying care can lead to chronic neck pain, reduced mobility, headaches, and long-term spinal issues. Whiplash can worsen if untreated.
How We Treat Car Accident Injuries in Phoenix, AZ
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
Our consultation exam process is designed to be thorough and patient-centered. We begin with a detailed consultation about your accident, symptoms, and medical history. From there, we proceed to a hands-on physical examination to assess the range of motion, muscle tension, neurological function, and spinal alignment.
We perform orthopedic exams, spinal alignment exams, and functional movement assessments, often supplemented by X-rays (and sometimes MRI or CT scans, as needed). These tests help us detect hidden injuries, such as disc issues, ligament damage, or nerve impingements, that may not be immediately painful.
Treating just the symptoms can lead to short-term relief, but not long-term healing. Identifying the root cause allows us to create a targeted plan that resolves the issue at its source, preventing chronic pain, degeneration, and future complications.
Personal injury patients receive comprehensive documentation of all findings, personalized treatment plans, and coordinated care with attorneys or other specialists when needed. We also educate our patients on what to expect during recovery.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan
We introduce therapeutic exercises as patients progress in their recovery. We begin with gentle range-of-motion and stability exercises, then gradually progress to strength and flexibility exercises to restore function.
These exercises aim to strengthen weakened muscles, improve joint stability, restore flexibility, and prevent reinjury.
Therapeutic exercises complement adjustments by helping the body “hold” proper alignment, reducing muscular imbalances, and promoting long-term spinal health.
Specific Chiropractic Care in Phoenix, AZ
Car accidents often cause microtrauma to the spine and soft tissues (even in low-speed collisions). Chiropractors are uniquely trained to identify and treat these issues before they become chronic. Early care reduces pain, inflammation, and long-term damage.
Chiropractic adjustments restore proper alignment, reduce pressure on nerves, improve joint mobility, and support the body’s natural healing process. They also help break the pain and inflammation cycle that often follows trauma.
We design individualized treatment tailored to each patient’s specific injuries, health status, and recovery goals. We may adjust the frequency, techniques, and supportive therapies to ensure optimal results.
Massage Therapy and Soft Tissue Work
After an accident, muscles often tighten as a protective response, leading to stiffness and restricted motion. Massage therapy helps release these tensions, improves blood flow, reduces inflammation, and supports the healing of soft tissue injuries.
Massage is effective for whiplash, back pain, muscle strains, ligament sprains, and joint stiffness. It’s especially beneficial for reducing scar tissue formation and improving mobility during recovery.
We integrate massage therapy alongside chiropractic adjustments. We focus sessions on the specific areas of trauma and coordinate with the overall care plan to optimize healing and comfort.
Do I Have to Pay Anything Out of Pocket After a Car Accident?
Usually not, especially when the other driver was at fault, med pay coverage exists on an auto policy, or a personal injury attorney is involved. Many chiropractic clinics in Arizona, including this one, offer care on a lien, meaning treatment begins right away and payment is deferred until the case settles, allowing patients to focus on healing instead of upfront costs.
How Long Should I Go to a Chiropractic Doctor After a Car Accident?
The length of care depends on the severity of the injuries, how well the patient responds to treatment, and overall health and activity level. Some people recover in a few weeks, while others need several months of consistent care. A chiropractic doctor evaluates progress regularly and adjusts the treatment plan as needed, with the goal of full healing rather than temporary relief. It is essential to complete the full recommended plan, since once a case settles, treatment costs are no longer covered by the at-fault party’s insurance, and many patients who stop care early are left dealing with pain years later.
How Is a Car Accident Injury Diagnosed and Treated?
Care begins with a detailed consultation about the accident, symptoms, and medical history, followed by a hands-on exam assessing range of motion, muscle tension, neurological function, and spinal alignment. Orthopedic exams, spinal alignment testing, and functional movement assessments are supplemented with X-rays and, when needed, an MRI or CT scan. Treating only symptoms can bring short-term relief without long-term healing, so identifying the root cause allows for a targeted plan that resolves the issue at its source and helps prevent chronic pain, degeneration, and future complications. Personal injury patients receive full documentation, a personalized treatment plan, and coordinated care with attorneys or other providers as needed.
A custom therapeutic exercise plan typically begins with gentle range-of-motion and stability work before progressing to strength and flexibility exercises that rebuild weakened muscles, improve joint stability, restore flexibility, and prevent reinjury. This complements Gonstead chiropractic adjustments, which restore proper alignment, reduce pressure on nerves, improve joint mobility, and support the body’s natural healing process even after the microtrauma caused by a low-speed collision. Massage therapy releases the muscle tension that develops as a protective response after an accident, improves blood flow, reduces inflammation, and supports healing for whiplash, back pain, muscle strain, ligament sprain, and joint stiffness.
Common Car Accident Injuries We Treat In Phoenix, AZ
Low Back Pain
Accidents can cause muscle strains or ligament sprains, herniated or bulging discs, lumbar spine misalignment, and nerve compression (sciatica).
Low back pain can make everyday activities difficult, delay healing, and increase stress and fatigue during recovery.
Chiropractic adjustments restore alignment, relieve nerve pressure, and reduce inflammation. Complementary therapies, such as decompression, electrical muscle stimulation, or rehabilitation exercises, may also be used.
Untreated back injuries can become chronic, worsen with time, or result in nerve damage, making them more difficult to treat later.
Shoulder Pain
Seatbelts, airbag deployment, or bracing for impact can cause trauma to the shoulder joint and surrounding muscles.
Common injuries include, but are not limited to, rotator cuff strain or tear, shoulder impingement, dislocation, AC joint sprain, and soft tissue inflammation.
Chiropractic treatment may involve joint mobilization, soft tissue therapy, stretching, and strengthening exercises to restore function and relieve pain.
Delaying treatment may result in frozen shoulder, reduced mobility, or chronic inflammation affecting your ability to use the arm normally.
Knee Pain
Knees often strike the dashboard or twist awkwardly during impact, causing trauma to ligaments, cartilage, or bone.
Common injuries include, but are not limited to, ligament sprains (ACL, MCL), meniscus tears, patellar dislocation, bone bruising, and soft tissue swelling.
We utilize joint mobilization, soft tissue techniques, knee decompression, and rehabilitation exercises to alleviate and reduce pain and restore knee function.
Ignoring knee pain may lead to instability, chronic joint damage, or the need for surgical intervention.
Concussion
A concussion is a mild-to-severe traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or a sudden jolt that causes the brain to move inside the skull. In car accidents, it often results from hitting your head or from the whiplash motion.
Common symptoms include, but are not limited to, headache, dizziness, confusion or brain fog, nausea, memory loss, and sensitivity to light or noise.
Chiropractors treat brain injury indirectly by addressing symptoms like neck tension, headaches, and dizziness. Proper cervical spine alignment also supports nervous system function and healing.
Untreated concussions can worsen or lead to post-concussion syndrome, causing long-term cognitive and neurological issues.
Neck Pain
Common injuries include, but are not limited to, whiplash, muscle strain, facet joint irritation, cervical disc injury, and pinched nerves.
Neck pain can limit head movement, cause headaches, disrupt sleep, and make daily activities painful, which may slow down your overall recovery.
Chiropractic adjustments help restore proper alignment, reduce muscle tension, and alleviate nerve pressure. Techniques may include spinal manipulation, cervical decompression, massage, and posture correction.
Delaying treatment can lead to chronic neck pain, nerve issues, decreased mobility, and long-term spinal degeneration.
What Are the Most Common Injuries After a Car Accident?
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury that occurs when the head is forcefully thrown backward and then forward, straining the neck muscles and ligaments, most often from a motor vehicle accident. Symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, headaches that often start at the base of the skull, dizziness, fatigue, limited range of motion, and tingling or numbness in the arms and hands. Delaying care can lead to chronic neck pain, reduced mobility, and long-term spinal issues, which is covered in more depth on the neck pain page.
Accidents can also cause low back pain through muscle strain, ligament sprain, herniated or bulging discs, lumbar misalignment, and nerve compression such as sciatica, which can make everyday activities difficult and delay healing if left untreated; full detail is available on the low back pain page and the disc injury page.
Shoulder pain after an accident often comes from seatbelt force, airbag deployment, or bracing for impact, leading to rotator cuff strain or tear, shoulder impingement, dislocation, AC joint sprain, or soft tissue inflammation, treated with joint mobilization, soft tissue therapy, stretching, and strengthening exercise. Knee pain can result from the knee striking the dashboard or twisting during impact, causing ligament sprains, meniscus tears, patellar dislocation, bone bruising, or soft tissue swelling, treated with joint mobilization, soft tissue technique, knee decompression, and rehabilitation exercise.
A concussion is a mild-to-severe traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or a sudden jolt that moves the brain inside the skull, often resulting from hitting the head or from the whiplash motion itself. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, confusion or brain fog, nausea, memory loss, and sensitivity to light or noise. A chiropractic doctor supports recovery indirectly by addressing neck tension, headaches, and dizziness, since proper cervical spine alignment also supports nervous system function and healing. Left untreated, a concussion can progress to post-concussion syndrome with long-term cognitive and neurological effects.
How Do I Get Started?
This clinic is currently offering a $49 Chiropractic Special that includes a consultation and exam, a free MRI review, X-rays, and a doctor’s report of findings on the second visit, listed on the special offers page. Patients throughout Phoenix, Glendale, and Scottsdale can review the full list of conditions treated, meet the care team on the doctors page, or schedule an appointment online or by calling (602) 973-1630. The clinic is located at 2735 W Union Hills Dr #102, Phoenix, AZ 85027.
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2735 W Union Hills Dr #102, Phoenix, AZ 85027
