It is essential to get medical care after a car accident, but you may not be sure what type of care you need. Two of the most common and helpful options include visiting an auto accident chiropractor or physical therapist. Either of these professionals can help you heal, but they will do so in different ways. With around 70,000 chiropractors and 250,000 physical therapists in the United States, you should not have a problem finding either specialist.
The Big Differences
The choice of a car accident injury chiropractor or physical therapist comes down to the type of treatment they are likely to provide, although there is some overlap at times. Chiropractors tend to focus on hands-on manipulation to help restore your body’s alignment. By contrast, physical therapists focus on your muscles and your movement via injury-appropriate exercise.
A chiropractor will guide or manipulate your body through various adjustments. On the other hand, physical therapists will instruct you on how to train your body through exercises that they supervise.
Both chiropractors and physical therapists do more than just manipulation or providing exercises. Either may also use ice and heat, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or massage in their treatment.
When You Typically See Each Type of Specialist
Your doctor is more likely to recommend that you see an auto accident chiropractor if your spine was forced out of alignment during the accident or your injuries include your neck or head. They are more likely to suggest physical therapy as car accident injuries treatment if you broke, fractured, or dislocated a bone during the accident and are working on recovery.
That being said, there is not a hard and fast rule as to which one will work best for you. Some people with neck problems may do better with car accident physical therapy, while chiropractors may help with healing after certain types of dislocations or breaks.
You Do Not Have to Choose
The good news is that you do not have to choose between physical therapy car accident injuries treatment, or chiropractic treatment. You can visit both of these specialists and combine their treatments by taking advantage of each one’s benefits and expertise. Just keep in mind that if you do work with both a chiropractor and physical therapist, your experience is likely to go more smoothly and include more progress if they can communicate with each other easily.
How to Decide
If you are not sure whether to see a car accident injury chiropractor or physical therapist in Long Island, NY, your primary care physician can help you decide. Their experience and years of training will help them determine which of these professionals will be best for your recovery. Additionally, any physical therapist or chiropractor will be honest with you. If you visit them and they feel that a different type of treatment might be more effective, they will likely let you know. There is also the fact that regardless of your injury, physical therapists and chiropractors both have treatment options available as both offer several types of treatment.
