A car accident can leave your body feeling a little different than it did before the collision. You might notice that your neck feels stiff when you turn your head, your back feels tight after sitting, or certain movements that used to feel effortless are suddenly uncomfortable.
These symptoms can make everyday activities feel harder, from checking your blind spot while driving to sitting at your desk or getting back to your usual workouts.
For people recovering from a motor vehicle accident, chiropractic care can be one option for addressing pain, stiffness, and restricted movement.
Why Can You Feel Stiff After a Car Accident?
During a collision, your body can experience forces that it isn't accustomed to handling. Your muscles and joints may respond with soreness, tension, or changes in how you move.
The neck and back are particularly common areas of discomfort after a collision. You may experience:
Neck stiffness or reduced ability to turn your head
Upper-back or shoulder tension
Low-back pain or stiffness
Muscle tightness
Discomfort with certain movements
Headaches associated with neck symptoms
Pain after sitting or standing for longer periods
Not everyone experiences symptoms in the same way. Your chiropractor can assess how you're moving and identify areas that may be contributing to your discomfort.
How Can Chiropractic Care Help?
Chiropractic treatment can focus on improving mobility in areas that have become stiff or uncomfortable following an accident.
At Recharge, our chiropractic approach isn't simply about making adjustments and sending you on your way. Treatment can incorporate targeted manual therapy, soft tissue techniques, assisted stretching, joint mobilization, and movement-based strategies depending on your individual presentation.
The goal is to help you move more comfortably and gradually return to the activities you enjoy.
It's About More Than Your Spine
One of the biggest misconceptions about chiropractic care is that it's only about the spine.
After an accident, your symptoms can involve your neck, shoulders, upper back, hips, or other areas of the body. Your chiropractor will look at how these areas move together rather than focusing only on the location of your pain.
For example, if turning your head is uncomfortable, your treatment may involve more than your neck. Your chiropractor may also look at your upper back, shoulders, and surrounding muscles to understand how they are contributing to your movement.
When Should You Consider Chiropractic Care After an Accident?
You don't have to wait until your symptoms become severe before getting assessed.
Consider speaking with a healthcare professional if you notice ongoing:
Pain or stiffness
Reduced range of motion
Muscle tension
Difficulty with everyday movements
Discomfort while working, driving, exercising, or sleeping
Difficulty getting back to your usual activities
An assessment can help you understand what you're experiencing and determine whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for you.
What About ICBC Coverage?
If you've been injured in a motor vehicle accident in BC, ICBC may provide coverage for chiropractic treatment related to your accident.
Once you've reported your accident and received your ICBC claim number, you can contact a clinic to discuss starting care. A doctor's referral is not required to begin treatment.
At Recharge, we can direct bill approved chiropractic treatment to ICBC, helping make the administrative side of your recovery a little easier.
What Do You Need to Book?
When you're ready to book, we'll ask for:
Your ICBC claim number
Your Personal Health Number (PHN/MSP number)
Your accident date
Your ICBC Recovery Specialist or adjuster's contact information, if available
If you're missing some of this information, don't worry. Our front desk team can help you figure out what you need.
Getting Back to Moving Comfortably
Recovery after a collision isn't always about one big change. Sometimes it's about gradually getting comfortable with movements that have become difficult or painful.
Turning your head. Getting out of the car. Sitting through a workday. Picking something up. Going for a walk. Getting back to the gym.
These everyday movements are a big part of your life, and chiropractic care can be one piece of helping you get back to them.
Looking for ICBC Chiropractic Care in Victoria?
If you're experiencing neck, back, or other musculoskeletal symptoms following a motor vehicle accident, the chiropractic team at Recharge Physiotherapy can help you take the next step.
We provide individualized chiropractic care with a focus on movement, mobility, and getting you back to the activities that matter to you.
Have an ICBC claim? Contact Recharge Physiotherapy to book your chiropractic assessment and get started.
