Auto Accident Chiropractor in Tulsa, OK

What Does Dr. Peace Evaluate After a Car Accident?

An auto-injury examination should involve more than simply asking, “Where does it hurt?”

At Peace Chiropractic, we begin by learning how the collision occurred and how it affected you.

1. The Accident

We discuss the mechanism of the collision, including the direction of impact, your position in the vehicle, whether you were aware of the impending impact, seat-belt use and other relevant details.

2. Your Symptoms

We document when your symptoms began, where they are located, what makes them better or worse, and how they are affecting your work, sleep, exercise and normal daily activities.

3. Your Previous Health History

Previous neck or back problems do not automatically mean that new symptoms are unrelated to the collision.

We consider your prior injuries, treatment, surgeries and health history when determining how your current condition compares with your pre-accident status.

4. Physical Examination

Depending on your symptoms and condition, the examination may include spinal range of motion, orthopedic testing, neurological examination, muscle and soft-tissue evaluation, spinal joint assessment and evaluation of functional limitations.

The examination is individualized to the patient rather than following the exact same protocol for everyone.

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Do All Car-Accident Patients Need X-Rays or an MRI?

No.

Imaging should be based on the circumstances of the collision, your symptoms, examination findings, medical history and clinical need.

Some patients may benefit from X-rays or advanced imaging. Others may not need imaging initially.

If we identify findings that suggest a fracture, significant neurological involvement, disc injury, ligament injury or another condition requiring additional evaluation, we will discuss appropriate imaging or referral.

An MRI may sometimes be useful when symptoms or examination findings suggest involvement of the spinal discs, nerve roots, spinal cord or other soft tissues that cannot be adequately evaluated with standard X-rays.

Our philosophy is to order or recommend imaging when it can help answer an important clinical question - not simply because someone was involved in an accident.

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What Is Whiplash?

Whiplash describes an injury that can occur when the neck undergoes a rapid acceleration-deceleration movement, commonly during a rear-end collision.

The resulting symptoms can vary considerably from one person to another.

Some patients primarily experience neck stiffness and muscle soreness. Others may develop headaches, reduced neck motion, upper-back or shoulder discomfort, arm symptoms, dizziness or difficulty performing their normal activities.

The term “whiplash” does not tell us exactly which tissues were injured.

That determination requires a history and physical examination and, when clinically appropriate, additional testing or imaging.

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What If My X-Rays Are Normal but I Still Hurt?

This is a common question.

Standard X-rays are excellent for evaluating many aspects of bone structure, alignment and certain types of injury, but they do not show every source of neck or back pain.

Muscles, ligaments, discs, joint capsules and other soft tissues can be involved following trauma.

Therefore, a normal X-ray does not necessarily mean that nothing happened.

We combine your imaging findings, symptoms and physical examination to determine the most appropriate next step.

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How Does Peace Chiropractic Treat Auto-Accident Injuries?

There is no single treatment plan that is appropriate for every automobile-accident patient.

Treatment depends on what we find during your evaluation and how you respond to care.

When clinically appropriate, care may include chiropractic adjustments or joint mobilization, soft-tissue treatment, therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular rehabilitation, mobility work, home-care recommendations and other conservative treatment options.

Early treatment may focus primarily on decreasing pain and improving comfortable movement.

As symptoms improve, treatment can progress toward restoring mobility, strength, stability and normal function.

We periodically re-evaluate your condition so that treatment can be modified as you recover.

Our goal is not to place every accident patient on the same long-term treatment plan.

Our goal is to provide the level of care that is appropriate for the individual patient.

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What If Chiropractic Care Isn't Enough?

One of the most important parts of treating an injured patient is recognizing when another type of care is needed.

We work closely with medical physicians and other specialists when additional evaluation is needed.

Depending on the patient's symptoms and examination findings, this may include referral for orthopedic evaluation, spine consultation, neurological evaluation, pain-management consultation or other appropriate medical care.

Chiropractic treatment can also be part of a coordinated treatment plan when a patient is already receiving care from another healthcare professional.

We believe patients receive better care when healthcare providers communicate and work together when appropriate.

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When Should I Seek Emergency Medical Care?

Chiropractic care is not a substitute for emergency medical evaluation.

Following a significant accident, symptoms such as loss of consciousness, worsening severe headache, repeated vomiting, increasing confusion, seizures, unusual drowsiness, significant weakness or numbness, loss of coordination, slurred speech or other serious neurological symptoms require prompt emergency medical attention.

If you believe you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Once serious or emergency conditions have been addressed, we can determine whether chiropractic or rehabilitative care is appropriate for your musculoskeletal injuries.

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Can I See Peace Chiropractic If I Already Saw the Emergency Room?

Yes.

Emergency departments play an important role after significant trauma, particularly when there is concern about fractures, head injury, internal injury or another urgent condition.

However, patients may continue to experience neck pain, back pain, headaches, stiffness or difficulty moving after they have been medically cleared.

Peace Chiropractic can evaluate the musculoskeletal component of your injuries and determine whether conservative treatment is appropriate.

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Can I See a Chiropractor and a Medical Doctor After a Car Accident?

Yes.

These types of care are not mutually exclusive.

Some auto-injury patients benefit from conservative chiropractic and rehabilitative treatment while also being evaluated or treated by a medical physician or specialist.

If something falls outside our area of care, we will tell you.

If we cannot help you, we will help direct you toward someone who may be better suited to evaluate your condition.

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What If I Already Had Neck or Back Problems Before the Accident?

Pre-existing spinal problems are common.

Having arthritis, previous disc problems, an old injury, prior chiropractic treatment or even previous spinal surgery does not mean that new or increased symptoms should automatically be attributed to the old condition.

During your examination, we compare your current symptoms and functional limitations with your condition before the collision.

Patients with significant previous spinal problems may also require modification of their examination, treatment or imaging strategy.

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Do You Work With Auto-Accident Attorneys?

Yes.

Peace Chiropractic regularly treats patients involved in automobile-injury claims.

When properly authorized by the patient, our office can communicate with attorneys and provide the clinical records and documentation associated with the patient's treatment.

Our responsibility, however, remains medical and clinical.

We evaluate your injuries, document our findings, provide appropriate care and make referrals when indicated.

We do not provide legal advice. Patients with questions about their legal rights, insurance coverage or claims should discuss those matters with a qualified attorney or insurance professional.

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What Should I Bring to My First Auto-Accident Appointment?

If available, bring your driver's license or identification, insurance information, accident or claim information, relevant emergency-room or physician records, imaging reports, medication information and the contact information for any attorney already assisting you.

Do not delay contacting us simply because you do not have every document yet.

Our staff can tell you what information will be helpful for your particular situation.

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Can I Be Seen the Same Day?

Often, yes.

We understand that someone injured in an accident may not want to wait several days to be evaluated.

Peace Chiropractic offers same-day appointments when availability allows.

Our office is open Monday-Friday from 9:30 AM-6:00 PM.

We also offer Saturday appointments from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM by appointment, which can be especially helpful for people injured late in the week or unable to come in during normal weekday hours.

Call us and we will do our best to accommodate you.

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Why Choose Peace Chiropractic After an Auto Accident?

Nearly 30 Years of Experience

Robert Peace, DC, graduated from Cleveland Chiropractic College in 1996 and has spent nearly three decades caring for chiropractic and musculoskeletal patients.

Auto-injury care has been an important part of his clinical practice.

Experience matters because two patients involved in similar collisions can present very differently.

Thorough Evaluation

Our focus begins with determining what happened to you - not simply beginning treatment because you were involved in an accident.

Individualized Treatment

We do not believe every auto-injury patient needs the same treatment, the same frequency of visits or the same duration of care.

Coordinated Care

When additional medical evaluation is needed, we work closely with medical physicians and other specialists.

Convenient Access

We offer same-day appointments when possible, weekday office availability until 6:00 PM and Saturday appointments by request.

Fast, Friendly, Affordable Care

For nearly 30 years, our goal has remained simple: provide patients with straightforward, personalized care in a comfortable environment.

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Ask Dr. Peace: Frequently Asked Questions