Auto Accidents and Chiropractic in Calgary

Supporting Your Body’s Recovery After a Collision

person with neck pain after auto accident When you’re involved in an automobile accident, your body undergoes significant stress and trauma, which can impact your nervous system’s ability to adapt properly. This disruption can lead to challenges like whiplash, other strain/sprain injuries, and altered nervous system function. Addressing these underlying nervous system impacts promptly is crucial for preventing long-term adaptive challenges.

The Importance of Early Care

The sooner you seek chiropractic care after an accident, the earlier we can support your nervous system’s natural recovery process. By enhancing your body’s adaptive capacity immediately following a collision, we can help prevent your nervous system from establishing compensatory patterns that may lead to ongoing challenges and decreased function in the future.

Many patientss experience these common post-accident challenges:

Neck tension and discomfort
Headaches that weren’t present before
Shoulder and arm radiating sensations
General unease or “something just doesn’t feel right”
Sleep disturbances
Difficulty focusing
Persistent aches that don’t resolve on their own

Your Access to Care in Alberta

Important information every accident victim should know:

You do not need a referral: You can come directly to our office without seeing any other healthcare provider first.
You are entitled to immediate care: Under Alberta law, anyone involved in a motor vehicle collision is entitled to care regardless of who was at fault.
You don’t need to wait for insurance approval: You can begin care immediately while we handle the insurance paperwork.
You don’t have to go where your insurance company suggests: Some patients are mistakenly told they must see specific providers, but you have the right to choose your chiropractor.
Coverage is comprehensive: Everyone is entitled to up to 21 treatments over 12 weeks following an accident. If additional care is needed, we can request extensions through proper channels called “outside protocols”.

Measuring Your Nervous System Response

At Memorial Drive Chiropractic and Massage, we use advanced Insight Millennium technology to objectively measure how your nervous system is currently adapting to the stress of your accident. These scans help us understand:

Your current heart rate variability (showing how well your body is handling stress)
Muscle tension patterns throughout your spine
Autonomic nervous system function

This objective data helps us develop a personalized approach to support your body’s natural healing processes rather than just addressing symptoms.

Our Approach to Accident Recovery

At Memorial Drive Chiropractic and Massage, we make your recovery process as smooth as possible:

Comprehensive Assessment: We begin with a thorough examination to understand how your nervous system is currently adapting to the stress of your accident.
Personalized Care Plan: Based on your unique needs, we develop a care plan that may include specific chiropractic adjustments to improve nervous system function and massage therapy to address muscle tension.
Insurance Navigation: We handle all necessary paperwork and communication with insurance companies so you can focus on recovery.
Education and Support: We provide guidance on activities you can safely perform, when to use ice or heat, and how to support your body’s healing process at home.
Long-Term Wellness: After your initial recovery, we can discuss ongoing care options to maintain the improvements achieved and prevent future challenges.

A Patient Story From Dr. Wagemakers

Motor vehicle accidents are unfortunately common, and even low-speed impacts can affect the body more than people expect.

This patient followed the usual medical route first. They were given pain medication and anti-inflammatories, but relief was limited. Over time, neck discomfort developed, headaches became more frequent, and muscle tightness and general aches slowly increased. It was not debilitating, but it did not feel normal.

When they came into our office, we started with a thorough examination and I explained what can happen during a collision, including stress on the nervous system, spine, and surrounding tissues. We also walked them through the auto insurance process so they felt supported and clear on the next steps.

At their next visit, they told me they had slept better than they had since the accident. With continued care, their symptoms steadily improved, and they started to feel like themselves again. They also told me they wished they had come in sooner.

FAQs

When should I seek chiropractic care after an accident?

The ideal time to begin care is immediately after your accident—as soon as you’re cleared medically for any serious injuries. The sooner your nervous system receives support in adapting properly, the better your long-term outcomes may be. Many people wait weeks hoping discomfort will resolve on its own, but this delay can allow compensation patterns to become established, potentially complicating recovery.

Do I need a referral or approval before seeing a chiropractor?

No. In Alberta, you can come directly to our office after an accident without needing a referral from your medical doctor, physiotherapist, or any other healthcare provider. You also don’t need prior approval from your insurance company—we can begin care immediately while handling the insurance process for you.

What if my insurance company told me to see a different provider?

While insurance companies may suggest specific providers, you have the legal right to choose your own chiropractor. Sometimes insurance representatives may imply you must use their suggested providers, but this is incorrect. You are entitled to choose the care you prefer, and we can help you navigate this process.

What types of accident-related challenges can chiropractic help?

Chiropractic care enhances your nervous system’s adaptive capacity, which can help with various post-accident challenges including whiplash, neck tension, headaches, shoulder discomfort, radiating sensations, sleep disturbances, and focus issues. By addressing the underlying nervous system impact rather than just symptoms, we support your body’s natural recovery process.

How many visits will I need?

Most accident victims are entitled to 21 treatments over 12 weeks following their collision. The exact number of visits needed depends on your specific situation, how your body is currently adapting, and how it responds to care. We perform periodic reassessments to track progress and determine if additional care would be beneficial.

Is massage therapy also covered after an auto accident?

Yes, massage therapy is typically covered under auto accident claims in Alberta. We often combine chiropractic and massage therapy for a comprehensive approach to supporting your recovery, addressing both nervous system function and muscle tension patterns.

Get Started Today

We want to ensure you receive the care you need without delay. If you’ve been in a car accident, contact us today to schedule your first appointment. The sooner your nervous system receives support, the better your long-term outcomes may be.

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