Bodywork / Massage After A Car Crash
This is another topic that people think they have a good understanding of but in reality most people don't and still make scheduled sessions at inappropriate times after a crash without getting the necessary medical evaluation. Automobile accidents are some of the most common reasons people will seek out massage therapy often times in conjunction with chiropractic care. The truth is is that cars are significantly safer than they've ever been and your chances of survival are much better now than they were even 10 years ago. One of the biggest problems after or even a minor car crash is the latency. Between the initial crash and the onset of all of the injuries. To a medical provider and to the patient. This can be almost instantaneous after the crash or could take several weeks to appear.
In the meantime those were victims of car crashes either get immediate medical attention via ambulance to a hospital or they will simply call someone or take a cab home or even in some cases continue on with her day not realizing how injured they really are. The most common injury of which is whiplash. This condition is characterized as a sudden tightening of the neck into the upper shoulder region from a violent forward and backward or side to side impact causing the muscles not only to attempt to clinch very quickly but also to inflame rapidly. This can cause cervical vertebrae to become misaligned causing dizziness, nausea, vomiting and in the most serious circumstances can lead to neurological problems that can impaired judgment or developmental life-threatening emergencies.
It's always important to get a proper assessment by your healthcare provider hopefully within 24 hours if it's not appearing you have a substantial injury this could include x-rays to verify if there are no other serious injuries. Many insurance companies will cover these costs. To coincide with that if you're looking to receive bodywork you should get clearance first and disclose it to the provider also important to note in that situation is if you would prefer to get medical reimbursement you're better off to ask before you make an appointment if they accept insurance claims. If they don't it does not mean you cannot use them as a provider but you need to let them know that they need to generate an invoice that you'll pay at the time of service as well as a care record or commonly referred to as soap note which can will be forwarded by you to your insurance provider for reimbursement. This reimbursement typically has strict conditions so you're better off to contact your insured directly to make sure you know what your coverage limitations will be.
As a closing thought it should be noted that it is absolutely critical that you do not do self-care at home without a proper assessment many people will forgo using things like ibuprofen or Tylenol for pain management some people will even start to use things like foam rollers or Thera guns in order to try and do their own healing at home this is strongly discouraged and may lead to further injury.