Acupuncture for Auto Accidents

Acupuncture is well known for how effectively it can treat musculoskeletal pain, unfortunately one of the most common causes of musculoskeletal pain is motor vehicle accidents. Whether you are a driver, passenger, pedestrian or bicyclist and you have been involved in an automobile collision, there are options to help you get care.

In the state of Oregon, any medical bills resulting from the motor vehicle accident are paid for by Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. Oregon requires at least $15,000 in PIP coverage for you, and all passengers in your car, for a period of one year after a collision. Most importantly, you are allowed to seek care from the health care practitioner of your choice, including acupuncturists.

When it comes to a motor vehicle accident, there is almost always a back injury involved.  People won’t always feel pain right away, but might start to experience symptoms a few days after the accident. The most commonly reported injuries are:

• – whiplash
• – low back pain
• – extremity pain with numbness or tingling
• – general muscle pain

 

Patients with whiplash may experience neck and shoulder pain and stiffness, headaches, trouble concentrating, dizziness, balance issues, restless sleep and irritability. Being involved in an auto collision also usually will have a large emotional component, it is important to address any resulting stress and anxiety.

Acupuncture helps relieve pain by releasing endorphins in the brain that block the transmission of pain signals, reducing inflammation and calming the autonomic nervous system. This helps the body relax and stimulates the healing processes.  I combine acupuncture with MPT a gentle electrical pulse similar to a TENS unit. This new method does not utilize acupuncture needles, only microcurrent electricity and hands-on treatment, yet it achieves dramatic improvements in pain relief and range of motion almost immediately.