While superficial injuries like cuts and bruises may heal quickly after a car accident, many injuries can persist for weeks or even months, and some may become chronic issues if not treated properly. It can seem intimidating at first to visit an Atlanta chiropractor and commit to the regular adjustments, but more treatment early on can prevent you from needing care years down the line. When you visit a car accident doctor in Marietta, they will be able to give you information on how long your course of treatment may take, but there are some general rules that apply.
When Should I Visit the Chiropractor After a Car Accident?
If there are first responders called to the scene of your accident, they may do some initial tests and evaluations to rule out injuries. However, many symptoms of car accident injuries aren’t apparent until days after the accident has occurred, requiring you to be on alert for anything out of the ordinary. But when these symptoms do begin to appear, sooner is better for getting to a chiropractor, especially a specialized accident doctor in Marietta. Issues may worsen over time if not treated, and early intervention usually reduces the duration of treatment needed.
If you experience any symptoms, even mild ones, for more than a couple of days, you should have them evaluated, even if the first responders were not concerned. Persistent headaches, migraines, and dizziness need to be addressed as soon as possible.
Even if your first session with your accident doctor in Marietta alleviates your worst symptoms, it is important to continue your maintenance care to ensure the problem does not come back.
How Many Times Should I Visit the Chiropractor?
Your specific injuries and needs will determine how many trips to the chiropractor you will need, as well as how often these visits should be. For example, whiplash typically requires a series of visits throughout the week for a number of weeks, while general soreness can often be reduced in one or two sessions.
There is no limit to how often you may visit your accident doctor in Marietta, however. Your chiropractor should work with you to taper off appointments as you begin to heal. Your doctor will have an initial recommendation on how long your treatment should take, but this may change as they begin to work on your spine. You should also communicate any changes, positive or negative, to your symptoms over time so they can adjust the plan as needed.
How Long Does Chiropractic Treatment Usually Last After a Car Accident?
One of the most common questions patients ask is, “How long should I go to a chiropractor after an accident”? There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but there are general guidelines.
For mild injuries, such as general soreness or minor soft tissue strain, treatment may last a few weeks with one to two visits per week. Patients often begin to feel relief quickly, but are encouraged to complete the full plan to prevent symptoms from returning.
Moderate injuries, including whiplash or joint misalignment, often require several weeks to a few months of care. In these cases, patients may wonder, “How many times should I go to a chiropractor after an accident?” Early on, visits may be more frequent, gradually tapering as healing progresses.
For more severe injuries, such as disc injuries or nerve involvement, chiropractic care may last several months. This is especially true if treatment was delayed. Patients asking “how long should you go to a chiropractor after an accident” are often reassured that consistent care now can prevent years of discomfort later.
Ultimately, how long should I go to a chiropractor after an accident depends on injury severity, overall health, and how closely you follow your treatment care plan.
Why Do Chiropractors Recommend So Many Visits?
For people used to traditional medicine, it may feel unnatural to visit a chiropractor many times in quick succession. However, the body is a changing and moving thing, and chiropractors believe that as we change and heal, our bodies require variations in care.
Immediately after an accident, you may require frequent treatment as well as a regimen of pain medication and exercises to assist with any difficulties. That will likely change over the next weeks, where you may only need to be adjusted once per week and can discard more invasive pain management techniques. For most people, the goal is to reach a point where appointments are only set up as needed.
What to Expect in the Days and Weeks Following a Car Accident
Many people wonder, “Should I see a chiropractor after a car accident if I feel okay?” The answer is often yes because symptoms frequently evolve over time. Within the first 24–72 hours, adrenaline and shock can mask pain. You may feel relatively normal, even if injuries are present. This is why seeing a chiropractor after a car accident early is so important. During the first week, inflammation tends to increase. Neck stiffness, back pain, headaches, and reduced range of motion often begin to appear. At this stage, seeing a chiropractor after an accident can begin correcting misalignments before compensatory patterns develop.
Over the next several weeks, untreated injuries may worsen or plateau. Pain that seemed minor can become persistent, and mobility may decrease. This is where many patients ask how long to see a chiropractor after a car accident—and the answer depends largely on when treatment begins. After one to three months, injuries that were never properly addressed may become chronic. Seeing a chiropractor after a car accident during this phase can still help, but treatment may take longer and require more frequent visits.
Common Car Accident Injuries Chiropractors Treat
Seeing a chiropractor after a car accident is about identifying and treating injuries that may worsen over time if left unaddressed. Even minor collisions can put significant strain on the spine, muscles, joints, and nervous system. Because symptoms can appear days or even weeks after an accident, going to a chiropractor after a car accident allows underlying issues to be treated early, reducing the risk of long-term pain or mobility problems. Here are some of the most common car accident injuries that a chiropractor after an accident is trained to diagnose and treat.
Whiplash and Neck Injuries
Whiplash is one of the most frequently treated injuries when seeing a chiropractor after a car accident. It occurs when the head and neck are suddenly forced forward and backward, straining muscles and ligaments while potentially misaligning the cervical spine. Symptoms may include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and reduced range of motion. Chiropractic care focuses on gentle adjustments and soft tissue therapy to restore proper alignment and support healing without invasive treatment.
Back Injuries and Spinal Misalignment
Car accidents often put sudden force on the spine, leading to muscle strains, ligament sprains, or spinal misalignment. These injuries may cause mid or lower back pain, stiffness, or difficulty standing and sitting comfortably. A chiropractor after a car accident works to realign the spine, reduce inflammation, and improve mobility, which can significantly shorten your recovery time and help prevent chronic back issues.
Herniated or Bulging Discs
The impact of a collision can put too much pressure on the spine and spinal discs, causing them to bulge or herniate. This can also impact nearby nerves, leading to sharp pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs. Chiropractic treatment helps reduce nerve compression through targeted adjustments and supportive therapies, for a noninvasive approach that can help patients avoid more invasive treatment options.
Headaches, Migraines, and Dizziness
Persistent headaches and dizziness are common after a car accident and are often linked to neck injuries or spinal misalignment. When the cervical spine is out of alignment, it can affect blood flow and nerve function. A chiropractor after an accident addresses these underlying issues, helping reduce the frequency and severity of headaches while improving overall neurological function.
Shoulder, Hip, and Joint Injuries
Seatbelts and sudden impact can place significant stress on the shoulders, hips, and other joints. These injuries may cause pain, inflammation, and a limited range of motion. Chiropractic care focuses on restoring joint alignment and function while reducing soft tissue inflammation, allowing the body to heal more efficiently.
Nerve Compression and Radiating Pain
Nerve compression injuries often result in radiating pain that travels into the arms, hands, legs, or feet. These symptoms may develop gradually over days or weeks, making it unclear that they are accident-related. Seeing a chiropractor after a car accident allows these nerve-related issues to be identified early and treated with non-invasive techniques that relieve pressure and promote nerve healing.
When Should I Stop Treatment?
Patients frequently ask, “How long should I go to a chiropractor after an accident if I feel better”? The answer is until the underlying injury—not just the symptoms—has resolved. Completing your care plan helps ensure long-term recovery and reduces the risk of chronic pain. Many patients feel tempted to stop treatment once pain subsides. However, chiropractic care works in phases, and stopping too early can allow injuries to return. Early treatment focuses on reducing pain and inflammation. As healing progresses, care shifts toward restoring function, rebuilding strength, and preventing future injury. This is why chiropractors often recommend multiple visits, especially in the early stages.
For people with chronic pain in the back or neck, going to a chiropractor as your primary accident doctor in Marietta may be a lifelong activity on a set schedule. Many people choose to go monthly, or some other increment, to keep their spine in alignment and avoid any injuries in the future.
But if you are seeking acute care for an injury as a result of a car accident, you will likely be able to reach a point of full recovery. You will need to define what this looks and feels like for yourself, and then work with your chiropractor to reach that goal. You can collaborate to determine what seems like a natural stopping point based on your recovery.
Marietta Car Accident Specialists at AICA Orthopedics
AICA Marietta provides specialized chiropractic care designed specifically for car accident injuries. Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, our team takes a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to recovery. If you’ve been injured in a collision and are considering a chiropractor after a car accident, contact AICA today to schedule your first consultation and understand what a treatment plan may look like for you.