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By: Jason Neufeld, Esq.
Our
clients often look to us for guidance as to which type of doctor they should turn to for the best care after an accident.
This article will provide some general guidelines and is not meant to replace the advice of a trained-medical professional.
In fact, if you have a preferred family doctor, or primary-care physician, we often recommend that you seek that doctor’s
advice first. The answer to the chiropractor vs. orthopedist question will also depend on your individual/philosophical preferences
and the severity of the injury.
I think I can safely say, right off the bat, that if you sustain severe injuries to your neck or back in a car accident, or if you suffer from numbness/tingling in the legs, travelling/radiating pain, incontinence/bladder control problems, seeing spots, vomiting, etc… you are going to want to see a medical doctor. Particularly severe accidents will require seeing a medical professional that can prescribe medications, perform advanced imaging tests, perform surgery and consult with other specialists (neurologists for example). But if you have sustained a relatively low-impact accident and are complaining of static pain or soreness in the neck or back, many of our clients have reported great success after being treated by an experienced chiropractor. Chiropractors usually obtain their bachelor’s degree and then go on to receive three to five more years of training from an accredited Doctor of Chiropractic institution before sitting for their chiropractic-licensing exam. In addition, some chiropractors participate in a post-graduate residency program to obtain board certification. Chiropractic therapy is centered around spinal and other joint manipulations to improve musculoskeletal performance. This is often used in conjunction with other physical therapies such as: electrical-muscle stimulation, hot/cold packs, massage, and others. Chiropractic therapy takes a “hands-on” approach and does not utilize prescription medications or invasive/surgical procedures. Many of our clients also like that they get to spend more quality time with their doctor of chiropractic, than they normally would with an Orthopedist. Some of our clients prefer a dual approach – i.e. being first examined by an orthopedist and receive their physical therapy from a chiropractor. Therefore, in the event of an accident, we recommend reviewing the above points and considering the severity of your injuries in conjunction with your personal philosophy as to medical treatment. Your personal injury attorney can also help guide you in the appropriate direction as far as treatment and recommend excellent chiropractors and/or orthopedic doctors in your area. Jason Neufeld, Esq. is an associate
with Neufeld, Kleinberg & Pinkiert P.A (NKP). For more information, please visit http://www.neufeldlawfirm.com/, or dial 1-800-379-TEAM (8326), or email Jason directly at jneufeld@nkplaw.com
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