Physical Therapy Versus Seeing a Chiropractor After A Car Accident

[oymeem]

After a car accident, is it better to see a PT instead of a chiropractor, when making a claim with the responsible party's insurance Co.?

Or is it just the same to see either one?

thanks a lot

Ann

[gigirle]

What does your doctor recommend? It goes by what your physician says not the responsible parties car insurance company says.

[oymeem]

M.D. recommends PT, but I prefer a chiropractor. Can I chose?

thanks a lot

Ane

[Mr. Knowitall]

Talk to your lawyer. Odds are you'll be told to follow your doctor's advice. In my experience, P.T. is more likely to lead to both short-term and long-term improvement, but chiropractic care can give good palliative results.

[seniorjudge]

Talk to your lawyer. Odds are you'll be told to follow your doctor's advice. In my experience, P.T. is more likely to lead to both short-term and long-term improvement, but chiropractic care can give good palliative results.

I agree; PT is a lot better.

[oymeem]

Thanks for all of your replies.

I suppose my real question is, when you see a chiropractor, do settlements get figured out in the same way as if you saw a PT?

Thanks a lot

Anne

[lwpat]

Insurance companies do not like to pay for a chiropractor. If you are interested in getting better, try both and see which one brings the most relief. If you are interested in going to court, stick with the P.T.

[Dr.P]

Thanks for all of your replies.

I suppose my real question is, when you see a chiropractor, do settlements get figured out in the same way as if you saw a PT?

Thanks a lot

Anne

Despite the quotes below and above, if you have "med pay" insurance it ALWAYS pays for chiropractic. I am a chiropractor and I deal with many accident cases. I have never had ANY trouble getting paid for my services nor have I EVER had to have an M.D. refer to me. In fact it is ILLEGAL for ANYONE to require an M.D. to refer you to a Chiropractor (this lawsuit was won against the A.M.A. in the 80's) unless you are using your personal health insurance for your auto accident (which is something you should never do) and your personal insurance requires M.D. referral (usually only the cheapest HMO's do this, if so change insurances as). If you don't have medpay I still have NEVER had any insurance NOT pay for chiropractic. However Mercury, Geico, Lincoln, and other cheapo insurances will try and make the chiro reduce their rates 33% (so will a bad lawyer). I never hold the patient responsible for the difference and most other good Chiropractic Physicians dont either.

My advice:
Try Chiro and P.T. stick with the one you like the most. I do this with any patients who are curious (btw so far 100% of them have dumped P.T. and continued with me).

Most progressive M.D.s will tell you to do whichever you are most comfortable with. Old school M.D.s only refer to P.T.s because if you are at a P.T. they have complete control over the case (P.T.s follow Dr. orders) Chiropractors will cooperate with an M.D. but are not subservient to the M.D..
I would avoid this M.D. and choose one who isnt a control freak.

If the Chiropractor doesnt shoot Xrays or doesnt want to look at your xrays or MRI before treating go somewhere else immediately. Ask them about stretches and exercises when you are past the acute stage, if they dont do this find someone who does.

If you go to a P.T. you are not dealing with a "Physician", in my state (California) and most others only M.D.s and D.C.s are legally "Physicians" therefore you can't go to a P.T. without an M.D. or Chiropractor (D.C.) referral. This is still true if they have the D.P.T. (doctor of Physical Therapy) title. So make sure you have a referral from an M.D. or D.C. if you want P.T.

If you go to a P.T. who starts you on strengthening exercises while you are still in acute pain dump them immediately and find one who wants to get you out of pain first then do exercises (this is why most people leave the P.T. and come to me).

An earlier post said Chiropractors are better at "palliative care". In other words Chiros are better at pain relief, this is very true. But a good Chiropractor will give the same exercises and stretches a P.T. gives as soon as the patient is out of pain, and give an exercise program to continue at the completion of care. PhysioTherapy has been part of the Chiropractic Doctorate since the 80's. It is possible that this person had a bad experience or is simply relying on heresay.

Last but not least, choose a Chiropractor who is not afraid to refer to an M.D. if you are not getting better. If you go to an M.D. and they tell you not to see the chiropractor and have a weak reason, look for a more progressive M.D. Good physicians cooperate.

If your attorney tries to pressure you into going to the provider he wants for you, instead of the one who he knows is helping you get better, question his motives.

[PandorasBox]

I can tell you from experience that P.T. is the way to go. They will get you back on your feet faster, and teach you exercises to do at home.

Your Physical Therapist is going to have a lot more medical education in their background. In fact, most P.T's. have degrees that took 6 years of education to earn.

[SamIam]

Sorry for the Seance on the old thread, but I can tell you from personal experience that chiropractic helped me far more than physical therapy when I had bad whiplash.