Auto Accident Chiropractic Care In Des Moines
Get The Care You Need After A Car Accident
Car accidents put sudden, forceful stress on the body, even at low speeds, and the resulting pain doesn't always show up right away. Beyond whiplash, auto injuries can also involve the back, shoulders, and joints throughout the body, sometimes with symptoms that build gradually over the days following a collision.
At ADIO Chiropractic Clinic, Dr. Jeffery Stickel and Dr. Luis Amador-Gaxiola work with patients recovering from auto accidents to build a treatment plan focused on correcting the underlying damage, not just easing pain temporarily. Getting evaluated soon after an accident can also help catch injuries before they turn into a longer-term problem.
If you've been in an accident, request an appointment today to get evaluated.
Understanding Auto Accident Recovery
Why Auto Injuries Need A Correction-Focused Approach
Because adrenaline can mask pain immediately after an accident, many patients don't notice the full extent of their injuries until hours or even days later. An auto accident chiropractor can evaluate your body for the kind of misalignment and soft tissue damage that doesn't always appear on standard imaging, helping you understand what's actually going on before it turns into a longer-term problem.
Rather than treating just the pain that's showing up right now, Dr. Stickel and Dr. Amador-Gaxiola look for the underlying cause of that pain, which often means catching and addressing damage that hasn't fully presented yet.
Types Of Auto Injuries
Auto accidents can affect the body in several different ways, and it's common for patients to experience more than one type of injury at once.
- Whiplash occurs when the head is forcefully jerked back and forth on impact, straining the muscles and ligaments in the neck. It's one of the most common auto injuries and can cause stiffness, headaches, and reduced range of motion.
- Back injuries often result from the body absorbing sudden force, whether from bracing on impact or the seatbelt restraining movement, and can range from muscle strain to disc-related pain.
- Shoulder injuries are frequently related to seatbelt pressure or the arms instinctively bracing against the steering wheel or dashboard.
- Joint injuries throughout the body can occur when the impact forces a joint into a position it wasn't prepared for, leading to pain that may not be immediately obvious.
Auto Injury Treatment Options At ADIO Chiropractic Clinic
Recovery from an auto injury often involves more than one type of care, depending on which of the injuries above you're dealing with and how severe it is. We frequently combine:
- Chiropractic Adjustments to restore proper movement to joints affected by the impact
- Chiropractic Rehabilitation & Corrective Care to diagnose the full scope of injury using digital X-ray imaging and build a longer-term recovery plan
- Decompression Therapy for pain related to disc compression or nerve irritation following the accident
- Red Light Therapy to support tissue healing and reduce inflammation
- Shockwave Therapy for stubborn soft tissue pain that hasn't resolved with rest alone
Because every accident and every patient is different, Dr. Stickel and Dr. Amador-Gaxiola build a treatment plan based on your specific evaluation rather than a generic protocol applied to everyone who walks through the door.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after a car accident should I see a chiropractor?
Ideally, as soon as possible, even if you don't feel injured right away. Adrenaline and shock can mask pain in the hours and days following an accident, and some injuries, particularly whiplash, don't produce noticeable symptoms until later. Seeing a chiropractor soon after an accident allows for an early evaluation, which can help identify problems before they worsen.
Common delayed symptoms to watch for include:
- Neck or back stiffness that develops gradually rather than appearing right away
- Headaches that weren't present immediately after the accident
- Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
- Increasing pain or a noticeable reduction in range of motion
What are the most common injuries from a car accident?
Whiplash is one of the most frequently diagnosed auto injuries, caused by the rapid back and forth motion of the head and neck during a collision. Beyond whiplash, common auto injuries include lower back pain, shoulder pain from seatbelt restraint or bracing on impact, and joint pain from the body absorbing sudden force. Some patients also experience headaches or jaw pain following an accident, related to tension in the neck and upper back.
Will a chiropractor help even if I don't feel injured after my accident?
Yes. Many auto injuries aren't immediately obvious, especially soft tissue injuries like whiplash, which can take hours or days to fully present. A chiropractic evaluation after an accident can catch early signs of misalignment or strain, giving you a head start on treatment before symptoms worsen. Waiting until pain becomes severe often means a longer recovery process overall.
How do I schedule an appointment with an auto accident chiropractor near me in Des Moines?
Scheduling is simple. Request an appointment online, and our team will follow up quickly to confirm your visit. We look forward to helping you recover.