Should I visit doctor or chiropractor? Got whiplash when rear-ended. Tense shoulder blades and hurting neck.?

Question

Got into my first fender-bender, was rear-ended. I estimate I was hit at 30-35 mph, while at a stand still. My neck hurts whenever I move it and my should blades are all tensed up.

Not sure if I need to visit a doctor or a chiropractor. Never had these types of aches or pains before.

Any suggestions on how to go about this would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

I think that is YOUR CHOICE...I would MAKE up my mind to definitely get checked though if you are feeling miserable.

http://www.chirocommunity.com/visit_exam.htm
Your first visit to a chiropractor should be an enlightening and pleasant experience. As with any other healthcare provider you have chosen, finding the right chiropractor will be a personal decision and one you want to consider carefully. When visiting a chiropractor for the first time, there will be certain things to look for in the office itself and questions you will want to ask.

Upon entering the clinic for the first time, take a good look around. Is the atmosphere a welcoming one? Are the facilities clean? Is the staff friendly? Your overall first impression is a good indicator of what kind of chiropractic care you can expect in the future.

You should be expected to complete a health history form similar to a health history you receive when visiting any other health care provider. It is important that you complete this information accurately. You may also be given chiropractic literature to review while waiting to be seen and many chiropractors also have educational videos available for new patients to view before seeing the doctor for the first time. If anything you read or hear prior to seeing the doctor is unclear, be sure to write your questions down on paper, so that you can have them answered during your consultation with the doctor.

Your chiropractor will discuss with you any specific pain or symptoms you may be experiencing. During the exam, you may be asked to bend and turn from side to side. Usually a standard orthopedic and neurological exam is performed and followed by any other diagnostic testing the doctor feels may be necessary, such as X-Rays. It is important to mention that not all Chiropractors recommend the use of diagnostic testing or use of “modalities” (specific therapies used before or after a chiropractic adjustment). During the interview, ask the chiropractor what techniques he uses and what his practice philosophy is. After addressing these two questions, you should have a good basic understanding of chiropractic care and how the doctor you are seeing plans on treating your problem or symptoms. Always discuss your expectations of care with the chiropractor. If you have questions regarding your plan of care or if you are not comfortable with what the doctor is recommending, discuss your concerns before leaving the clinic.


FROM EXPERIENCE: I know too that ANY GOOD CHIROPRACTOR will refer you to a regular doctor if he feels he has done all he can for you and you are not any better! The do admit that Chiro does not conquer all!! THE ONE I CHOSE FELT I NEEDED A NEUROLOGIST.. I did and they found I had pinched nerves - which did not show up on an MRI

myself would rather go to a regular doctor, any treatment is gonna hurt and medication isn't demeaning.take it--no big deal!!! I would ask the dr for pain meds, and if you are thinking about any Physical therapy , ask for POOL THERAPY, that warm water feels terrific!!! especially since you said you were really tense--- and then go in to the office for modalities, IE: ultra sound, E-stim and massage. AND get a few exercises but do not overdue.
Ask your dr for a lidocaine creme with baclofen and ketoprofen-IT IS AWESOME RELIEF. AND i found instead of ice - that this stuff called biofreeze is awesome. it is a gel that can be put on- and it provides cold relief -often called cryotherapy. both of these help and helped on bad days!
http://biofreeze.com/ most pt offices have this or can get from a medical supply store but i included the website in case you wanted to order it.

so again a dr will probably order and MRI, and PT /pool-therapy . you can do some home exercises and alternate with heat and ice.
ask for any pain meds, the creme and get the biofreeze. I would also invest in a neck pillow, to keep neck in alignment . also:

DO GET TREATMENT IF YOU CANT STAND THE PAIN-- NO HARM. IT WAS A N ACCIDENT SO TREATMENT IS COVERED- GET IT!!!

Hope you will be on the road to recovery soon.!!
Call a dr tomorrow!

Answer 2

I got into an accident just like that about 3 yrs ago. I'm still suffering to this day. Although the pain is not as bad as it was. I would see both a doctor & chiropractor. I had horrible headaches that made me deathly ill and almost had no days without pain for the first year and a half. I went to physical therapy where they would massage the muscles & do some sort of electrostimulation with heat. I also went to the chiropractor to get adjustments 3 times a week for the 1st year. I would not have thought that a fender bender like that would have cause me so much pain. But once those muscles in your neck are injured they become weak & it's a job for them to hold up your head all day. My shoulders are always tense & knotted. I try to get massages every so often. It also caused me to get a pinched nerve in my back and beleive me that causes a whole range of problems. You MUST seek treatment soon b/c if you don't your pain will get worse & worse. It's better to start your therapy now so you won't suffer so much. I know what your going through & I hope you have a good support system, b/c I had to miss a lot of family functions & time with my family b/c of the pain & headaches. I'm so sorry you'll have to endure that misery, but eventually it will get better. There will be sometimes when you feel like you'll never get better. But, with treatments you will, but I don't think you'll be 100% again. Good Luck.

Answer 3

7 years ago I've been involved in a car wreck and even since suffered with severe on and off facial and jaw pain. I've tried almost everything western medicine had to offer and had visited countless of specialist, had done ct scans, and therapies but to no avail. The doctors I have been to had persisted that there wasn't anything wrong with me and that almost drove me crazy as I was going through hell from this condition. According to all my symptoms I was diagnosed by a holistic doctor as having TMJ and he had recommended this book to me. After following the recommendation in the book for several weeks, it had changed my life. I got immediate relief after following the unique set of exercises in the book and after 2 weeks the jaw and face pain had completely gone. I only wish I would have ordered this program years ago. It would have saved me a lot of pain and anguish.

Answer 4

I would do both if your pain is interfering with your everyday life. Tell your MD about your accident and that you are seeing a chiropractor but need medication to help control the acute symptoms during this process (to stop muscle spasms and control the pain). But the medication will not solve the problem. You will need chiropractic adjustments to re-align your spine and keep it that way. Find one who has a massage therapist on staff so you can get massaged each visit to help the process.

Answer 5

I was in the same type of deal. Went for MRI's, neurosurgeon, radio therapy, $11,000 in all. I got the most relief from a chiropractor for less than $300. BTW herniated C3,4&5, bone spurs and degenrative disc disease. Feel great now!

Answer 6

Oh dear, just be glad you don't me driving behind you! I never pay attention to traffic lights or signs or people at all. Hell, I can't hardly see past the car hood! One day I drove over a man working on a hole in the road. I think he fell into the hole, because I didn't see him after that. I don't think anyone else did either, but screw him either way. Blesses! -F U

Answer 7

No chiropractor, see a doctor. It sounds like you have a herniated disc, c5-6, Chiropractors can sometimes worsen this condition

Answer 8

ive worked for a chiropractor for years. i would go there. they specialize in no medicated treatment. they can also help sinces, headaches, pain in arm or leg. give them a try i think it will help.