Why care after an accident starts with a physician
Car accidents, falls, sports collisions and workplace injuries can affect the body in ways that are not obvious at first. Adrenaline can mask pain for hours, and some injuries, such as fractures, concussions or internal injuries, need prompt medical attention. That is why the first step after any significant accident is an evaluation by a physician, urgent care or emergency room.
Once serious injuries have been ruled out, many people still deal with soreness, stiffness and headaches in the days and weeks that follow. Soft tissue injuries to the neck and back are common after even low-speed crashes, and symptoms often build over the first day or two.
Whiplash is one of the most familiar examples. A sudden back-and-forth movement of the head can strain the muscles, ligaments and joints of the neck. People often describe neck pain, stiffness, headaches at the base of the skull and tight shoulders.
Chiropractic care can be one part of recovery from these soft tissue injuries. It is most useful when coordinated with your medical care and adapted to the stage of healing you are in.
Common injuries after an accident or trauma
These are some of the injuries people commonly experience after an accident, along with how they tend to feel. Your physician should evaluate any new or severe symptom.
- Whiplash and neck strain
- Rapid movement of the head can strain the soft tissues of the neck. Pain and stiffness often peak a day or two after the accident rather than right away.
- Back sprains and strains
- The impact of a crash or fall can overload the muscles and ligaments of the mid and lower back. This often feels like a deep ache that is worse with bending or twisting.
- Post-accident headaches
- Headaches after an accident can come from neck strain, but they can also signal a concussion. Any headache after a blow to the head needs a medical evaluation first.
- Shoulder and chest wall soreness
- Seatbelts, airbags and bracing on the steering wheel can leave the shoulders, ribs and chest sore. Chest pain or shortness of breath should always be checked by a physician.
- Nerve irritation
- Tingling, numbness or pain traveling into an arm or leg can mean a nerve was irritated. These symptoms need a careful neurological exam and sometimes imaging.
- Lingering stiffness
- Weeks after an accident, some people still find it hard to turn their head or bend comfortably. Guarding and reduced activity can keep stiffness going after tissues have healed.
How Dr. Okhowat evaluates and treats accident injuries
Care is paced carefully and always follows medical clearance for serious injuries.
Medical evaluation first
Before your first chiropractic visit, you should be checked by a physician, urgent care or emergency room, especially after a car crash, a fall from height or a blow to the head. Bring any reports or imaging results you have.
Detailed history and exam
Dr. Okhowat asks how the accident happened, where you were seated or how you landed, and how symptoms have changed since. The exam checks movement, tenderness, strength, sensation and reflexes, and he screens again for anything that needs medical follow-up.
Gentle, staged care
Early care focuses on comfort and gentle movement, using low-force techniques and soft tissue work. As healing progresses, care may add mobilization, adjustments and more active exercise when they are appropriate.
Rebuilding strength and confidence
Exercises help restore neck and back strength and comfortable movement so you can return to driving, work and activity. The car accident injury care page explains this process in more detail.
Ongoing coordination
Your progress is tracked at each visit. If symptoms worsen, new symptoms appear or you are not improving as expected, you will be referred back to your physician or to a specialist.
What care may help with
Recovery after an accident varies widely, and no outcome can be promised. Once you are medically cleared, chiropractic care may help in these ways.
- Easing neck and back stiffness so everyday movements feel more comfortable.
- Reducing muscle tightness in the neck, shoulders and upper back.
- Helping you return gradually to driving, work and exercise.
- Easing neck-related headaches for some people once concussion has been ruled out.
- Providing a clear record of your symptoms and progress over time.
Is this right for me?
Chiropractic care may be a good fit after an accident when a physician has ruled out serious injury and you are left with soreness, stiffness or headaches from soft tissue strain. It is meant to work alongside your medical care.
Some symptoms after an accident are emergencies. If any of the following apply, call 911 or go to an emergency room right away, and do not start chiropractic care until you have been medically evaluated.
Often a good fit
- Neck or back stiffness after a car accident once you have been medically checked
- Soreness after a fall or sports collision with no fracture found
- Lingering tightness weeks after an injury that has otherwise healed
- People whose physician has cleared them for hands-on care
See a physician first
- Any loss of consciousness, confusion, memory gaps or repeated vomiting
- A severe or worsening headache, or changes in vision or speech
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms or legs
- Severe neck pain, especially with midline tenderness, or inability to turn your head
- Chest pain, shortness of breath or abdominal pain
- Suspected fracture, deformity or inability to bear weight
- Loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the saddle area
If you have any of these, please see a physician or go to urgent care before booking. In an emergency, call 911.
How Dr. Okhowat approaches accident recovery
After a crash or fall, experience with gentle, staged care matters. Dr. Omid Okhowat trained at Cleveland Chiropractic College and has worked as a chiropractor for over 19 years. Accident and injury care is one of the services the office provides, and the approach starts with making sure serious injuries have been ruled out before any hands-on care begins.
He is a Diplomate of the College of Manipulative and Body Based Practices and a Fellow of the American Association of Integrative Medicine. That training supports a gentle, staged approach to soft tissue injuries, with attention to sleep, stress and daily activity during recovery.
The office is on Wilshire Boulevard just west of Fairfax Avenue, a short drive from Beverly Hills and West Hollywood. If your exam reveals anything that needs medical follow-up, he will refer you promptly.
- DC, Cleveland Chiropractic College
- AAIM Fellow
- AAIM Diplomate, Manipulative and Body Based Practices
- Over 19 years of experience
I've been coming here for a few years now. I'm very pleased with his services. Dr. Okhowat is very professional, courteous and efficient. I definitely recommend him for any Chiropractic services especially if you were just in a car accident. Thank you Dr. O
Questions patients ask
Should I see a doctor or a chiropractor first after an accident?
See a physician, urgent care or emergency room first. They can check for fractures, concussion and internal injuries that need medical treatment. Once serious injury is ruled out, chiropractic care can be part of your recovery.
Why do I feel worse a day after the accident?
It is common for soft tissue soreness and stiffness to build over the first 24 to 72 hours as inflammation develops. Still, any symptom that is severe or getting steadily worse should be checked by a physician.
How soon after an accident can I start chiropractic care?
That depends on your injuries and your medical evaluation. Once a physician has ruled out serious injury, gentle care can often begin while you are still sore. Early visits focus on comfort and gentle movement.
Can a chiropractor help with whiplash?
Many people with whiplash-type neck strain find that gentle hands-on care combined with progressive exercise helps them move more comfortably. Care is adapted to your stage of healing. Concussion and fractures must be ruled out first.
What should I bring to my first visit?
Bring any medical reports, imaging results and a list of your symptoms and medications. Notes about how the accident happened and how your symptoms have changed are also helpful.
Is it normal to have headaches after a car accident?
Headaches after an accident can come from neck strain, but they can also be a sign of concussion. Any headache after a blow to the head, or one that is severe or worsening, needs a medical evaluation right away.
Will treatment be painful if I am already sore?
Early care after an injury is gentle and focused on comfort. Low-force techniques and soft tissue work are often used before more active care. Tell Dr. Okhowat how each technique feels so it can be adjusted.