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Whiplash
Treatment for car accident injuries
Whiplash is the most common injury sustained
in car crashes causing chronic pain syndrome, neck pain, headaches,
migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, back injuries, disabilities and
depression resulting in lost wages and sometimes lost jobs.
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What You Should Know if You Have Been Involved in an
Auto Accident
Did you know that
one of the most stressful aspects of living in modern life is dealing
with the problems that arise after an auto accident? Were you also aware
that some auto accident injuries are hidden and are seldom detected for
months or even years? As a result, two things can occur when an injury
is not taken care of properly, or the accident victims settle their case
with the insurance companies before getting evaluated from a Doctor
trained in soft tissue injuries.
... This
Could Be A Big Mistake.
Why?
Because once you settle your case, you lose the right to have your
insurance company pay for treatment if you need it. A good rule of thumb
is to be informed of your rights and then make a decision. It is our
position that if you were indeed injured, you should get the care you
need to get you back to the way you felt and functioned just before the
accident.
It is not the responsibility of the insurance company to pay for
anything more than that. They are not responsible for pre-existing
injuries; only the injuries sustained from the accident. Even if you are
just sore, you should get checked out immediately because you may
experience pain, numbness, headaches, muscle stiffness, fatigue, and
other problems including arthritis many months down the road. Remember,
nothing is more important than your health, especially when you start to
lose it.
Here's where the problem begins...Most
people who suffer from an auto accident have one thing on their mind:
their automobile!
Common
questions include: Who is going to fix my car?
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What will I drive in the mean time?
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Will my insurance rates go up?
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Who is going to pay for it?
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And the
last thing on their mind is:
Am I Really O.K.?
Not only are auto accidents an inconvenience and a
hassle, a common redundant complaint of auto accident victims is that
they don't feel like their normal selves. You may also be experiencing
obvious pains and symptoms like muscle stiffness or spasm, neck pain,
headaches, numbness and tingling, back pain, difficulty sleeping,
irritability, memory loss, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and many
other difficulties. Or worse than that, you may be injured and feel
nothing at all.
Either way, did you know that auto accidents can cause post-traumatic
osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis can ruin your posture (giving you a
slumped or hump back appearance). Osteoarthritis can cause the discs in
your spine to degenerate and create scar tissue formation leading to
chronic stiffness and the inability to move properly.
As a matter of
fact...
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Most doctors are not trained in the detection of these hidden
injuries...
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If you have been in an auto accident, you need a
doctor who is trained in the biomechanics of the human body;
someone who treats these injuries every day. In addition, x-rays can
be taken to find out if there has been any structural damage. In our
office, we evaluate auto accident victims and make any appropriate
referrals to other health care providers if needed.
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Our primary responsibility is giving you the care, if
you need it, and submitting the required medical reports to the
insurance company, so your rights are protected.
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If we can't help you, we will refer you to a doctor
or facility that can.
If
you have been in an auto accident recently, there are some important
decisions you have to make, and if I were you, I'd make these decisions
very carefully.
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Q:
Should
I see an attorney before I see my chiropractor?
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A:
It is important to get checked out by the doctor first. That way the
findings from your exam will allow you the information you need in
order to decide if an attorney is necessary. If necessary, we can
refer you to a reputable and qualified attorney.
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Q:
What if my car
sustained only minor damage?
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A:
Documented studies done by Charles Carroll, M.D., Paul McAtee, M.D.
and Lee Riley, M.D. revealed that: "The amount of damage to the
automobile bears little relation to the force applied to the
cervical spine (neck) of the occupants."
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In other words, the damage to the passengers is not
necessarily directly related to the damage to the vehicle.
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Q:
If I need treatment for this injury, do I have to pay for it myself?
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A:
No, only in very rare circumstances does the patient pay for his
care as he goes. Our office provides care "on credit" when patients
are represented by an attorney. Some car insurance policies have
what is called "Med Pay." This means that medical bills will be
paid at 100% up to a certain limit. My office can assist you in
obtaining this information.
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Using your medical coverage should not raise your
premiums.
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Q:
The
insurance company has been calling me and wants to settle, what
should I do?
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A:
Do not sign or
settle until you have had us evaluate your injury for you. If you
settle before your injury is fully resolved, you will be completely
on your own and will have to pay out of pocket for your care.
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Q:
I've been to the hospital and my medical doctor, do I really need to
see a chiropractor?
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A:
You need a doctor who focuses in the treatment and diagnosis of auto
accident injuries. Usually hospitals will check vital signs, make
sure there are no life-threatening conditions and release the
patient with pain relief medication. They normally do not treat the
underlying improper musculoskeletal biomechanics that can and often
do lead to future pain. If you are still having problems, you should
get a second opinion.
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If your M.D. has given you pills, you must understand
that pills do not correct structural or soft tissue damage. There
are special therapies designed for that, and we offer these
modalities at our office.
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Q:
Does
your care hurt?
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A: Absolutely not. The care is very gentle and
quite soothing. Most patients can hardly wait to get their care.
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Q:
Is the care safe?
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A:
Yes, extremely. Particularly when compared to the side effects from
medication. I urge you to go to the patient testimonial tab to get a
feel for what you can expect.
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What do our patients say about A Functional
Life - Dr. Clary,
"Thank you so much for using your "magic touch" to fix my neck. Your
adjustments allow me to avoid surgery and to continue to work - pain
free! Without your Chiropractic experience I would have to change
careers. I thank you and my family thanks you!"
Joe Schepers - Mound, MN
A Functional Life
"I want to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to all of the great
doctors at A Functional Life for helping my family to stay healthy. You are the best
Chiropractors in all of Minnesota."
Matt Otto - Rice, Minnesota
"Thank you for educating me about how
chiropractic can help me to live a much more enjoyable lifestyle free of
aches and pains. Your seminars are the best thing I could have spent my
time on. It will help me for the rest of my life. You all are the best."
Kara N. - Woodbury, MN
"I have suffered from migraines my entire
life, until I met Dr. Fred Clary, DC that is. Dr. Clary, thank you for
relieving a lifetime of pain. I never believed in Chiropractic care
until I was introduced to you. I can now live my life free of those
terrible migraine headaches. I don't know how to begin to thank you!"
Karen K.- Excelsior, Minnesota |
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