Chiropractic care can be an excellent way to treat whiplash injuries after an auto accident.

What is whiplash and how is it caused?

The most common type of injury associated with car accidents is whiplash. Whiplash occurs when a sudden, jarring movement of the head is sustained backward, forward or even to the side.

You don’t need to be travelling at high speeds to sustain whiplash. In fact, whiplash was discovered to occur in sudden changes of speed of only four kilometers per hour.

Whiplash destabilizes the spine and causes severe pain, as well as these other indicators:

• Blurred vision
• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Shoulder pain
• Reduced range of motion in the neck
• Arm pain
• Neck stiffness
• Low back pain

The tricky part about diagnosing whiplash is its effects aren’t always felt immediately following an accident. It’s not like a sports injury where you more than likely know the direct cause of your pain and feel it immediately. Whiplash can take days, weeks or even months for major symptoms to show up – That’s why it’s important to see your chiropractor as soon as you can after a car accident. If left untreated, whiplash can evolve into long-term pain.

How can my chiropractor help with whiplash?

Every case of whiplash is different. The appropriate chiropractic treatment is unique to each whiplash injury and your chiropractor will know that best course of treatment for you after your initial exam.

The most common treatments chiropractors use on whiplash patients include:

• manually adjusting the spine/neck/joints
• muscle relaxation and/or stimulation
• exercises designed to reduce disc derangement or train the nervous system to better coordinate and control movement patterns
• ergonomic and lifestyle changes to limit habits or activities that may be amplifying the effects of whiplash

What is covered?

Your auto insurance covers you for a minimum of 10 chiropractic/massage treatments for minor injuries and up to 21 treatments for major injuries under the Alberta Diagnostic Treatment Protocols Regulation.

This means you are entitled to see your chiropractor at no charge to you regardless of who was at fault in your accident.

Chiropractic treatment for minor injuries is billed directly to your insurance company. You do not have to submit receipts for reimbursement. Make sure you tell your chiropractor that you were injured in a car accident so they will fill out the forms to have your treatment costs covered.

Through a different automobile insurance program, every Albertan is entitled to $1000 of chiropractic care and $350 massage coverage for motor vehicle accident injuries (under Section B).

How do I receive treatment?

Within 10 days of the collision:

1. File an injury accident report with the police.
2. Seek treatment from a primary health care provider (PHCP): chiropractor, physical therapist or physician. If your injury is considered minor (i.e. sprain, strain or minor whiplash injury), you do not need authorization from your insurer. You may begin treatment immediately and your insurance company will be billed directly.
3. File the appropriate forms with your insurer. Forms are available from your chiropractor, insurer or insurance broker.
4. If you have any questions, please contact your auto insurance company and ask about your MVA health care coverage under Section B.