It's summer time in the Okanagan which means increased traffic due to tourism. With busier streets in Kelowna, this unfortunately means an increased number of car accidents. If you've found yourself in pain following a car accident, you might be wondering where to turn for treatment. Chiropractic treatments have been found to be a safe and effective treatment for whiplash and car accident associated injuries.
What Does A Chiropractic Treatment Entail?
You can expect a detailed history and physical exam your first visit. This includes range of motion, muscle/nerve, and orthopedic testing to best determine what is injured so that an individualized plan can be made to get you back to how you felt before the collision.
Chiropractors specialize in conservative treatments and therapies designed to improve range of motion, decrease muscle/joint/nerve pain, and increase your ability to function while you heal. Your chiropractor may use a variety of techniques including:
- Manual Therapies (IASTM, myofascial release, vibration massage, dermal traction)
- Rehabilitation Exercise (McKenzie, focused strengthening, movement therapies)
- Chiropractic Manipulation (Spinal and extremity adjusting)
- Electrotherapies (Interferential current, Tens)
- Spinal Traction (Flexion/distraction)
- Kinesiotape
ICBC Coverage For Chiropractic
If you have ICBC auto insurance, you can be rest assured that you have chiropractic coverage for the injuries you've sustained in your car accident. In the first 12 weeks following the date of your accident, ICBC allows access of up to 25 chiropractic treatments. If you require treatment past those initial 12 weeks, you may also be covered depending on the severity of your injuries.
Will you have to pay for your treatments? Not here at Okanagan Integrative Health. As long as your ICBC visits are approved, there will be no additional costs per visit. After a car accident you have enough on your plate, we want you to focus on getting well.
How Effective Is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic treatment has long been utilized in the treatment for whiplash associative disorder. Multiple systematic reviews have shown chiropractic, exercise, and manual therapy to be effective treatments. Results vary but show increased cervical range of motions and lower pain levels in patients recieving chiropractic treatments.
In fact, the Neck Pain Task Force suggests that mobilisation, manipulation, and manual therapies are effect treatments for neck pain.
