Chiropractors are licensed and extensively trained health professionals who treat conditions related to the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Most chiropractors pay special attention to the spine and use massages, pressure, and other forms of manual therapy to help patients overcome chronic pain and discomfort. Some experts still question the science behind chiropractic medicine, though much of this skepticism has receded in recent years.
In total, approximately 35 million Americans of all ages and backgrounds visit chiropractors at least once a year. Many of these visits have more to do with general fitness and personal health concerns than physical trauma. However, if you have been injured in an accident, a chiropractor could do more than you might expect. Aside from the oft-cited benefits of chiropractic treatment, any steps you take toward recovery could help you build a better, stronger personal injury claim.
Chiropractic Medicine, The Prevalence Of Pain, And Personal Injury Accidents
People see chiropractors for many different reasons, sometimes because they are already in good health and want to maintain that state, and sometimes because more conventional forms of care have not provided the relief they expected.
Unlike conventional medicine, which typically involves trips to a hospital, prescription drugs, and different types of clinical procedures, chiropractic medicine tends to emphasize the following:
- A non-invasive, hands-on approach to healing;
- Drug-free pain management; and
- A holistic approach to recovery that accounts for your physical injuries, lifestyle, and long-term health goals.
For accident victims, chiropractic therapy could offer benefits when it comes to the management of traumatic injuries. According to an article published in The Journal of Accident Analysis & Prevention, persistent back pain is widespread after car accidents, with the authors finding that about 63% of all cases of “ongoing low[er] back pain can be attributed to prior injury in a crash.” Other types of accidents, particularly slip-and-fall accidents and medical transportation accidents, can also cause back pain or worsen pre-existing conditions.
How Your Chiropractor Could Help You Build A Stronger Personal Injury Claim
If you have been hurt in an accident that was not your fault, you could be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person who caused your injuries.
Of course, personal injury lawsuits are not simple proceedings.
Suppose you have sustained especially serious or life-altering injuries. In that case, the defendant, whether they are a reckless driver and their insurance company, or a multibillion-dollar business, will almost certainly contest some elements of your claim, even if it is obvious that they are liable for at least a portion of your damages.
Generally, to win a personal injury claim, it is necessary to prove a set of specific legal elements. In a typical car accident case, this might mean convincing the court that the defendant’s negligence was the cause of your accident. In a premises liability lawsuit, you may have to demonstrate that the landlord owed you a duty of care.
However, no matter the circumstances of your accident and the precise legal requirements for filing, you will almost certainly need to prove that you have, in fact, sustained a serious injury. This is often easier said than done. Some common conditions, such as whiplash, cannot be diagnosed using X-rays or laboratory tests. Even though few people would ever question that whiplash is a real condition, insurance companies will sometimes take advantage of a relative lack of supporting evidence to withhold compensation.
In a personal injury lawsuit, your chiropractor’s professional opinion, notes, and treatment recommendations could be used to beat back unfair allegations of bad-faith litigation and exaggerated injuries, ensuring you receive all the support you need to build back better.