Patient FAQs

At Momentum Medical, we often receive questions about chiropractic care from new patients, and we’ve noticed that many people who have never seen a chiropractor before are wondering the same things. So, we’ve put together this helpful list of some of the most common questions we hear around the office. Here are our chiropractic FAQs and their answers:

Table of Contents

What is chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a type of health care that uses natural techniques to enhance your body’s ability to heal itself. Chiropractic treatments often involve spinal manipulation, but may involve other forms of treatment such as exercise, chiropractic massage, or nutritional counseling.

What do chiropractors treat?

Chiropractors can treat a multitude of health concerns for patients of nearly all ages. Since spinal manipulations or adjustments are among the most commonly used forms of chiropractic treatments, chiropractors are particularly well known for their ability to help patients with lower back painmid back painneck pain, and even headaches. This is true whether the pain is the result of certain lifestyle habits, such as poor posture at work, or if you’ve been injured in an accident.

Chiropractors can also treat a vast array of injuries, conditions, and diseases of the musculoskeletal system, such as a herniated disk, sports injury, or sciatica. Sometimes these often excruciating ailments also affect your nervous system, which can cause additional pain and dysfunction for other areas of your body. Fortunately, a skilled chiropractor will be able to treat your pain at the source, so you will feel relief throughout your body for injuries like these.

What are the benefits of chiropractic?

In addition to treating pain, there are numerous benefits of routine chiropractic care for more general health issues. This is because your body’s structure and posture affect its overall functions.

Studies have shown that regular chiropractic adjustments can improve patients’ well-being and can specifically reduce muscle pain, low back pain, shoulder pain, headaches, and sciatica pain. In addition, chiropractors are known to counsel patients on their diet, nutrition, exercise, and provide other chiropractic tips that can even include occupational and lifestyle changes.

Is chiropractic safe?

Yes. One of the most common myths about chiropractic care is that it is dangerous. In fact, chiropractic is widely regarded as one of the safest ways to treat musculoskeletal injuries because it uses natural, non-invasive therapies and never relies on drugs.

While chiropractic has an impeccable record for safety, no health care treatment is 100% free of possible negative effects. However, the risks associated with chiropractic treatments are minuscule compared to other options, such as surgery. Many patients feel fast-acting relief following chiropractic adjustments, but some may feel mild soreness or stiffness, just as you might after certain types of exercise. Current research has shown that mild discomfort or soreness following spinal manipulation is likely to dissipate within a day.

Is chiropractic safe for children?

Yes. It is understood that children can also stand to gain from chiropractic manipulation. Children are quite active physically and encounter many forms of falls and blows from daily living activities. Injuries like these can potentially cause adverse symptoms, including:

  • Neck Pain
  • Back Pain
  • Stiffness
  • Soreness
  • Discomfort

In addition, children are not always the best at sitting up straight as often as they should and may benefit from seeing a chiropractor to help improve their posture and reduce their risk of developing scoliosis. Chiropractic care is a highly skilled form of treatment that is always custom-tailored to each individual patient and, when dealing with children, performed with extreme care.

What type of education do chiropractors have?

Chiropractors are required to earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree, which is a postgraduate professional degree that typically takes four years to finish. Additionally, in most states, chiropractors are required to acquire and maintain a license to practice chiropractic.

Admission to D.C. programs typically require at least 90 semester hours of undergraduate education, and certain D.C. programs require a Bachelor’s Degree just to be eligible to enroll. Most students of chiropractic will usually earn a Bachelor’s Degree before applying to a D.C. program. Different schools may have different requirements for their chiropractic programs, but they often demand coursework in both liberal arts and sciences, such as physics, chemistry, and biology.

What happens during a chiropractic exam?

chiropractic exam is your initial consultation with your chiropractor. They will ask you questions about your pain—including your symptoms, when they started, and how often you feel pain—to determine the best treatment plan for you.

How is a chiropractic adjustment performed?

A chiropractic adjustment is typically performed by a chiropractor using their hands to manipulate the joints of the body, especially the spine, in order to restore or improve joint function. In some cases, such as with as with spinal decompression therapy, a chiropractor may incorporate the use of specialized chiropractic equipment to treat a patient. Manual chiropractic adjustments typically aid in clearing up joint inflammation and reducing the patient’s discomfort through a highly controlled procedure that rarely produces pain. Patients often notice positive changes in their symptoms shortly after beginning their chiropractic treatment.

How long does chiropractic treatment last?

The length of your chiropractic treatment will depend on your specific injuries or medical conditions. That being said, patients of chiropractic often experience noticeable pain relief after their first session.

Due to its hands-on nature, chiropractic manipulation requires patients to see their chiropractor multiple times at their chiropractic office. This differs from treatment by medical doctors, which often involves a pre-established plan that is carried out at home, such as taking medications and avoiding certain activities. Whether your chiropractor is providing acute, chronic, or preventive care, a certain number of visits will be required to complete your chiropractic treatment. During your initial visit, your chiropractor should specify the extent of treatment they recommend and how long it will last.

Why is there a popping sound when a joint is adjusted?

Chiropractic adjustment of a joint can result in the release of a gas bubble between your joints, which generates a popping sound due to the change of pressure within the joint. This is the same phenomenon that happens when you “crack” your knuckles. There is usually minimal, if any, pain involved.

What services does Momentum Medical Offer?

At Momentum Medical, our skilled doctors offer chiropractic injury services for anyone suffering from lower back pain, mid back pain, neck pain, and headaches stemming from a multitude of issues, such as car accidents, slip and falls, sports injuries, workers’ compensation injuries, and more.

How should I treat my back pain after a car accident?

If you’re suffering from neck and/or back pain after a car accident, your pain is most likely the result of an injury involving your spinal discs. These injuries will need to be treated by a back pain doctor, commonly known as a chiropractor. Through chiropractic treatments, your overall recovery will occur in a faster and safer way than alternative forms of treatment—such as surgery or opiates—because chiropractors work to heal the source of your pain.

Can your offices accommodate non-English speakers?

Yes. Our staff can accommodate patients who speak Spanish, French, and Russian. With enough notice, we can schedule a translator for patients who speak other languages.

Todas nuestras localizaciones tienen hablantes de español en el personal.

How do I make an appointment to see a chiropractor?

If you’re in need of accident injury doctor, back pain doctor, or other form of chiropractic care in the Central Florida area, you can schedule an appointment at any of our conveniently located offices. To schedule an appointment at our closest auto injury clinic to your home, visit our Central Florida injury locations and call your local office.

Immediate Medical Attention Post-Accident

Why See a Doctor Right Away?

After an accident, it’s crucial to visit a doctor immediately. Don’t put off getting medical help—it’s crucial for your health and any potential injury claim. Delayed symptoms might indicate severe underlying issues that only a medical professional can diagnose.

Consequences of Delaying Medical Care

Post-accident, the timing of your medical visit can significantly affect your personal injury case. Insurance companies scrutinize the speed of your medical response. It is important to note that even minor accidents can result in injuries that may not be immediately obvious but can have long-term effects if not treated.

Specialized Care for Auto Accident Injuries

Choosing a doctor who specializes in auto accident injuries is essential. These professionals understand the specific treatment required for such injuries, which often involve soft tissue damage. Proper documentation of these injuries is critical for your legal and health needs.

Optimal Time Frame for Medical Consultation

It’s recommended to seek medical care within 72 hours after a serious accident. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage requires timely treatment, which varies by state. Delayed treatment can lead to additional injuries and weaken your personal injury claim.

The 72-Hour Rule Explained

Insurance companies consider 72 hours a reasonable timeframe to seek medical attention. Delays and gaps in treatment can be used to question the validity of your injuries, affecting your claim. Many auto accident injuries, such as soft tissue injuries, may not be immediately detectable but can cause long-term damage if untreated.

Who Qualifies as an Accident Doctor?

Accident doctors can include medical doctors, chiropractors, pain management specialists, orthopedists, neurologists, and physical therapists. These professionals are trained to handle personal injury cases and often accept third-party billing options, such as auto insurance, PIP, and medical liens.

Financial Concerns About Seeing a Doctor

If you’re worried about the cost of medical care, check if your state offers PIP or no-fault coverage. These options allow doctors to bill insurance companies directly. An attorney might be necessary if additional treatment is needed beyond PIP coverage.

Role of Chiropractors Post-Accident

Chiropractors are recognized as qualified physicians for treating soft tissue injuries common in auto accidents. They offer non-invasive, natural medical care that helps reduce pain, prevent further damage, and restore mobility.

Using Health Insurance for Accident Treatment

Typically, health insurance does not cover car accident injuries under third-party billing. Ensure your injury doctor accepts third-party billing options to avoid out-of-pocket expenses.

Duration of Post-Accident Soreness

The length of time you’ll feel sore after an accident depends on the injury’s severity. Soreness can last from a few days to several months.

Understanding Med Pay and PIP Insurance

Med Pay covers medical costs after an accident, regardless of fault, and is crucial if you lack health insurance. PIP, mandatory in some states, also covers medical expenses and sometimes lost wages.

Legal Assistance and Documentation

Accident lawyers specialize in auto accident cases, helping you receive compensation for injuries, lost wages, and more. Proper injury documentation by a doctor is essential for maximizing your settlement.

Steps to Take After an Accident

  1. Call 911 if there are potential serious injuries.
  2. Check on everyone involved.
  3. Call the police to get an accident report.
  4. Talk to witnesses and gather their information.
  5. Take pictures of the accident scene.
  6. Obtain a police or accident report.

Interacting with Insurance Companies

Be cautious when speaking to insurance companies. Avoid giving recorded statements without consulting an attorney, as they can be used against you.

Insurance Company Practices

Be aware that insurance companies may seek to minimize your claim. Always check what the check covers before cashing it. You are not obligated to use the insurance company’s body shop for repairs.

Whiplash and Injury Documentation

Whiplash, a common injury from accidents, may not be immediately felt. Make sure to take detailed notes and photos of your injuries to strengthen your personal injury case. Always see a doctor to ensure all injuries are recorded.

Receiving Unsolicited Calls Post-Accident

It’s often illegal for doctors or attorneys to solicit their services after an accident. Such calls might come from unethical practices.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with an accident doctor, contact Momentum Medical today. Your health and legal protection are our top priorities.

No Ride? No Problem!
We're here to help.

Momentum Medical works very hard with our patients who have been injured in auto accidents and other injuries that are affecting their quality of life. We know it may be difficult for you to get the treatment you need because of the injuries you’ve sustained but its not impossible.

That’s why we provide transportation services for our patients. If you need assistance getting to one of our offices for treatment, ask us about your options.