Chiropractic Care in NJ: What to Expect After an Injury

Chiropractic care in NJ is one option people consider after a car accident, a fall or a sports injury. It is also more common than many people think. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), 11 percent of U.S. adults used chiropractic care in 2022, and most of them used it to manage pain. If you are thinking about it, this guide explains when to see a doctor first, what happens at a first visit and what the research says.

See a Doctor First When Symptoms Are Serious

Some injuries need medical care before anything else. If you were hurt in a crash or a serious fall, get checked by a doctor or an urgent care center first. MedlinePlus, from the National Library of Medicine, lists warning signs in its guide to acute low back pain. It says to contact your provider right away if you have:

• Back pain after a severe blow or fall
• Loss of control over urine or stool
• Weakness or numbness in your buttocks, thigh, leg or pelvis
• Pain that travels down your legs below the knee
• Severe pain that does not let you get comfortable
• Unexplained fever with back pain
• Trouble walking or keeping your balance

Once a doctor has ruled out a serious problem, you can talk about whether chiropractic care in NJ, or another option, makes sense for you.

What Chiropractic Care Involves

The NCCIH fact sheet on chiropractic describes it as a licensed health care profession. Treatment typically involves manual therapy, often including spinal manipulation. In addition, chiropractors may use exercise and nutritional counseling.

To practice in the United States, a chiropractor must earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree, pass the national board exam and hold a state license. Many states also require an exam on state-specific laws. Also, the scope of what chiropractors may do varies from state to state.

Your First Visit for Chiropractic Care in NJ

A first visit usually looks a lot like a regular medical appointment. NCCIH explains that chiropractors approach care in a way similar to conventional medicine. Here is the typical flow:

1. Interview. The chiropractor asks how and when you were hurt and what makes the pain better or worse.
2. Health history. You share past injuries, conditions, medicines and supplements.
3. Exam and tests. Next comes a physical exam, and sometimes tests.
4. Working diagnosis and plan. The chiropractor explains what they think is going on and suggests a plan.
5. Treatment and follow-up. Treatment may start, and your progress is checked over time.

Adjustments and Other Hands-On Care

Many people know chiropractic for the “adjustment.” Chiropractors’ manual methods range from stretching and steady pressure to specific joint manipulations. According to NCCIH, the purpose is to improve joint motion and function. Two terms come up often, and they are not the same:

	Spinal manipulation	Spinal mobilization
How it works	Hands or a device apply a controlled thrust to a spinal joint	Gentler movement with no thrust
Range of motion	Moves the joint more than it would on its own	Stays within the joint’s natural range
Good to know	The most familiar “adjustment”	An option to ask about if thrusts make you nervous

If you feel uneasy about any technique, say so. A good provider explains each step and checks in with you during treatment.

Rehab Exercises and Your Role at Home

Hands-on treatment is only part of the picture. Many clinics also teach exercises that you continue at home. MedlinePlus notes that exercise can help you improve your posture, strengthen your back and build flexibility.

Your home routine matters, because you spend far more time at home than in the clinic. So ask your provider to show you each exercise, write down how often to do it and tell you which movements to avoid while you heal.

What Research Says About Safety and Results

It helps to keep your expectations realistic. NCCIH’s page on spinal manipulation says it is one of several nondrug approaches for low-back pain. It may lead to small improvements in both pain and function. For acute neck pain, NCCIH says manipulation can be helpful, but reviewers urge caution because the evidence is limited. In short, no approach works the same way for everyone.

NCCIH also covers safety. Mild side effects, such as more pain or discomfort, stiffness or headache, often occur, and most go away within 24 hours. Serious side effects have been reported, but they are very rare. Health problems you already have may raise your risk, so share your full medical history. If you are pregnant, talk with your health care provider first.

Insurance, Car Accidents and Questions to Ask

NCCIH notes that health insurance may cover chiropractic care, but coverage may be partial. If you need chiropractic care in NJ after a car crash, your auto policy matters too.

Before you choose a chiropractor, NCCIH suggests a few steps:

• Ask about the chiropractor’s education and licensure.
• Ask about training or experience with your condition.
• Ask how many sessions you will need, and what your costs and coverage will be.
• Share your health history, medicines and supplements.

If a car accident caused your injury, keep every bill and record. A personal injury attorney such as Robert J. Gallop, Esq. can explain your options.

Chiropractic Care in NJ: Common Questions

How Lisa Duke-Lees Can Help

Lisa Duke-Lees is part of the team at HealthSource Chiropractic of Roseland, a clinic on Eisenhower Parkway. The clinic pairs chiropractic care with the HealthSource Progressive Rehab functional exercise program, and its chiropractor is Dr. Jenna Patel, D.C. Its services include laser therapy, spinal decompression, kinesiology taping, custom orthotics and nutritional counseling.

To learn more, visit Lisa’s profile to call, email or request an introduction to the clinic. She is part of our After an Accident or Injury team, where you can find other local members who help people recover and move forward. You can also browse more health and wellness members in our directory.

This article is general information, not medical advice. It does not replace an exam by a licensed health care provider, so talk with your doctor about your symptoms and treatment options.