Auto Accident Chiropractic Care in
Cary & Wake Forest

Our Treatment Approach

person looking worried in car after auto accident

At Chiropractic Pain & Injury Center in Cary and Wake Forest, Dr. Tammy Atkinson provides accident-focused chiropractic evaluation and care to identify injuries early, document findings clearly, and guide recovery with a structured, clinical approach. Dr. Tammy Atkinson is a Trauma Trained chiropractor through The Academy of Chiropractic.

Car accident injuries don’t always cause pain right away. Neck pain, back pain, headaches, and stiffness often appear days after a collision — even after low-speed accidents.

Dr. Atkinson’s CV

Why See a Chiropractor After a Car Accident?

Car accidents can place sudden forces on the spine, muscles, ligaments, and nervous system. Even low-speed collisions can lead to injuries that aren’t immediately obvious.

Common symptoms after an accident may include:

Neck or back pain
Whiplash-type stiffness
Headaches
Shoulder or hip pain
Numbness or tingling
Reduced range of motion

Delaying care may allow these issues to progress, which is why early evaluation is recommended after an accident.

NEW PATIENTS

What Happens to the Spine After a Car Accident?

You may not feel pain immediately after an accident. You may feel stiff and sore the following day. During an automobile accident, the muscles and ligaments in the spine can be overstretched or damaged. This leads to irritation and inflammation of the joints and tissues. When you do feel soreness and stiffness, this may indicate that there has been trauma to the ligaments and muscles that support your spine. As a result of the injury, the body will begin to restrict motion and start to lay down scar tissue.

What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash?

Symptoms vary from person to person. If whiplash was caused by a traffic accident, the direction of impact, speed of the vehicles, as well as your physical condition will play a role in determining your symptoms.

Symptoms of Whiplash injuries usually include:

Neck pain and stiffness
Pain that increases with movement
Headaches at the base of the skull
Decreased range of motion in the neck

Fatigue
Tingling in arms
Tenderness in upper back & shoulders
Difficulty concentrating

Dizziness or vertigo
Blurry vision
Insomnia
Ringing in the ears

Why Visit Us After A Car Accident?

Auto accident injuries require a different level of evaluation than routine pain complaints. Our approach is designed specifically for accident-related trauma and delayed-onset symptoms. In our office, we begin with a detailed injury evaluation, and review of your medical history. If imaging is needed, Dr. Atkinson will order any necessary testing. Ater the evaluation and testing, we will customize a personal treatment plan.

Patients choose our office because we focus on:

Trauma-focused examination and clinical findings
Clear documentation and progress tracking
Experience with accident-related spine and soft tissue injuries
Imaging or referrals when appropriate
Structured care based on objective findings

This ensures your care is guided by what your body is showing — not guesswork.

Documentation & Insurance Support

Auto accident cases often require clear documentation and periodic re-evaluations. Our office helps keep care organized with proper clinical records and progress tracking.

If your care involves insurance or a personal injury claim, our team can assist with questions related to benefits, documentation, and next steps.

FAQs

Can my injuries heal on their own?

The body can often heal from many accidents, illnesses, and various other conditions. However, sometimes it cannot heal on its own. For example, during an auto accident, your back might become misaligned. As a result, you may have lasting muscle strain and tissue injuries within your body. However, our chiropractor can perform spinal manipulation to realign your spine and alleviate your discomfort.

Can’t I just take pain medications to treat my accident injuries?

While medications can provide temporary pain relief, they often don’t address the underlying problems that are causing pain. This means that once the medications wear off, the pain will often return. When you visit us, we will determine the root cause of your discomfort and offer treatment that will provide long-lasting relief.

What is whiplash?

One of the most painful conditions that can result from a car accident is whiplash. This injury occurs when your head and neck are moved forward and backward suddenly during a collision. Whiplash can also cause severe stress on your spine and neck muscles. In addition, while you may notice pain due to whiplash right away, it is important to seek treatment even if you don’t have noticeable symptoms.

How can a chiropractor treat car accident injuries?

At our practice, we utilize various methods to treat auto accident injuries. First, we may use spinal manipulation to properly align the spine, which can reduce any strains or stress within the body. Along with that, our chiropractor can use massage therapy to reduce muscle tension. Once we learn more about your condition, we can provide the necessary care that will help you heal.

What can I do at home to reduce my pain?

Our chiropractor can show you how to perform various stretches and exercises at home that will reduce muscle tension and strengthen your body. Not only that, but we can also help you select furniture, such as mattresses, that provide the appropriate amount of support and reduce strain.

Schedule an Auto Accident Evaluation

If you’ve been involved in a car accident and aren’t sure what to do next, schedule an evaluation or call our office to speak with our team.

We’ll help you take the right next step toward proper diagnosis, documentation, and recovery.

Call our office and we’ll help you choose the right next step. To learn about the treatments that we offer or to schedule your first appointment, contact us today. When you’re looking for a chiropractor in Cary, we are ready to assist!

divider

Auto Accident Chiropractic Care in Cary & Wake Forest