Recover After an Auto Accident
Even a minor collision can cause injuries that aren't immediately noticeable. Our comprehensive evaluation, advanced diagnostic technology, and personalized chiropractic care help identify hidden injuries, relieve pain, restore movement, and get you back to participating more fully in life.
Pain and Injuries Don't Always Show Up Right Away
Many people walk away from a car accident feeling "only a little sore." Because there are no obvious injuries, they assume they'll feel better in a day or two.
In reality, adrenaline can temporarily mask pain, allowing injuries to go unnoticed. Hours or even days later, stiffness, headaches, neck pain, dizziness, or back pain begin to appear. Left untreated, these injuries can develop into chronic pain, reduced mobility, and ongoing neurological symptoms.
Whether your accident happened yesterday or several months ago, persistent discomfort is your body's way of talking to you, signaling that it needs attention. Identifying injuries early allows treatment to begin sooner and may reduce the risk of long-term problems.
Common Symptoms After a Car Accident
Even low-speed collisions can place tremendous stress on your spine, muscles, ligaments, and nervous system.
You may experience:
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Whiplash
- Headaches
- Shoulder pain
- Pain between the shoulder blades
- Lower back pain
- Arm or hand numbness
- Tingling sensations
- Dizziness
- Jaw pain or stiffness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Irritability
- Reduced range of motion
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms after an accident, schedule an evaluation as soon as possible.
Why Early Evaluation Matters
Symptoms of whiplash and other collision-related injuries may not appear immediately. Pain, headaches, stiffness, numbness, or changes in movement can develop in the hours or days following an accident.
Getting evaluated early gives us an opportunity to identify how the accident affected your body and begin appropriate care before those problems have more time to interfere with movement and daily activities.
Even if weeks or months have passed since your accident, it's not too late to get checked. Persistent or recurring pain, headaches, stiffness, or numbness may be signs that your body has not fully recovered from the collision and should be evaluated.
Why Patients Trust Dr. Gard After an Auto Accident
Dr. Gard has advanced certification through the Spine Research Institute of San Diego, including specialized education in collision biomechanics, occupant kinematics, clinical diagnostics, spinal trauma, and mild traumatic brain injuries.
This advanced training helps our team better understand how collision forces affect the body, allowing us to identify injuries that may otherwise be overlooked, and to develop treatment plans specific to your recovery.
Advanced Technology Helps Find Hidden Injuries
Recovery starts with locating the true source of the problem. Walker Road Chiropractic uses advanced diagnostic technology to identify areas of injury and accurately track your recovery, including:
- E-Scan™ Digital Electronic Palpation
- DynaROM™ Motion Surface EMG
- MyoVision® Neuromuscular Scanning
- FlexVision Dual Digital Inclinometry
These advanced tools help identify abnormal muscle activity, spinal dysfunction, abnormal movement patterns, spinal restrictions, and areas of ongoing inflammation that traditional examinations may miss.
The result is a more complete understanding of your injuries and a treatment plan designed specifically for your recovery.
Every Accident Affects the Body Differently
No two collisions and no two patients are exactly alike. Two people in the same accident can experience very different injuries. The direction of impact, seating position, headrest placement, seatbelt use, body position, and even how you moved during the collision can all affect how your body is injured and how it recovers.
That's why we take time to understand exactly what happened during your accident, evaluate how your body has been affected, and create a treatment plan based on your unique injuries rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
A Treatment Plan Focused on Your Recovery
Depending on what we find, your care may include chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapies, rehabilitative exercises, stretching, massage therapy, or other supportive treatments to improve movement, reduce discomfort, and support recovery.
We'll also provide practical guidance to help you outside the office, including recommendations for posture, body mechanics, and proper headrest positioning when appropriate. The goal is to help you move better, recover, and get back to work, family activities, recreation, and the life you enjoy.
Oregon Auto Insurance & Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
If you've been injured in an Oregon auto accident, your medical treatment is typically covered through your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, regardless of who caused the accident.
Before your first appointment, please have:
- Your auto insurance company name
- Your PIP claim number
- Your PIP adjuster's name and phone number
If you haven't started your PIP claim yet, our team will gladly answer your questions and help you understand what information you'll need before your visit.