Many times, individuals will get into a car accident that results in neck pain, low back pain, and/or headaches. It is common for them to be sent to the emergency room who will then take x-rays, find no fractures, and send them home with medications to ease the pain. What many patients don’t understand is that they can receive more care at no cost to them. Even more importantly is that they should receive more care.

After a car accident, a common injury that results is whiplash.  This is were muscles in the neck become torn and injured resulting in inflammation, spasm, and pain. If not treated, this will lead to scar tissue, decreased range of motion, instability, and then more pain. So in order to prevent this pain cycle, patients need more care other than pain medications to ease the pain.  At Advanced Spine & Rehab, that is exactly what we specialize in doing. We start with passive care including massage, ultrasound, cold therapy, and stretches to help ease the spasm, decrease chance of scar tissue, and increase range of motion. Once the pain has decreased, we initiate muscle exercises, more stretches, and chiropractic care to continue to maintain neck range of motion and stability.

So back to the free care part. In the state of Utah, there is a law that makes it so every car insurance policy requires personal injury coverage. Utah also has a law that states no matter who is at fault, you get the benefits of this personal injury coverage for injuries resulting from your accident. Even if the person who hit you doesn’t have car insurance, your own car insurance will then cover your personal injuries. Thus, no health insurance is needed and there are no costs to you.  Also, even if it has been several months to a year, if you have never received care and continue to suffer from injuries from that accident, you most likely are eligible to get care.

It really is good information to know. I always imagine there are many people out there suffering needlessly with chronic low back pain or neck pain because they could not afford care. So pass the word around.  In our office we take care of all the reports and paper work required. We understand the stress that comes with being in an accident and do all we can to help out.  Call us at 435-656-3266 if you have any questions.  We’d be happy to take a moment and tell you what your options are.