Auto Accident Treatment
Injured in a car accident?
If you have been in a car accident — even a low-speed collision — your body has absorbed forces it was not designed to handle. Injuries from auto accidents often go undetected for days or weeks because adrenaline and soft tissue inflammation mask the symptoms. Without proper treatment, these injuries can become chronic, leading to long-term pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.
Dr. Baldwin is certified in Whiplash and Brain Traumatology from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego (SRISD) and has treated thousands of patients with auto accident injuries. He has extensive training in Chiropractic Biophysics, advanced diagnostic imaging for soft tissue injuries, and serves as a faculty member for the College of Integrative Medicine.
Common auto accident injuries
- Whiplash — the most common auto accident injury, caused by rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck during impact. Whiplash can damage ligaments, muscles, discs, and facet joints in the cervical spine. Symptoms include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.
- Soft tissue injuries — muscles, tendons, and ligaments throughout the spine and extremities can be strained or torn during a collision. These injuries often cause pain, swelling, and restricted movement.
- Disc injuries — the force of an accident can cause discs to bulge, herniate, or tear, potentially compressing spinal nerves and producing radiating pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs.
- Facet joint injuries — the small joints that connect each vertebra can become jammed, inflamed, or damaged, causing localized pain and stiffness.
- Concussion and mild traumatic brain injury — even without direct head impact, the rapid acceleration and deceleration of a collision can cause brain injury. Symptoms include headaches, brain fog, memory problems, and sensitivity to light or noise.
Why early treatment matters
Research consistently shows that early intervention after an auto accident produces significantly better outcomes than delayed treatment. Soft tissue injuries that are left untreated can develop into chronic conditions as scar tissue forms, joints stiffen, and compensatory movement patterns become established.
A condition known as "late whiplash" occurs when initial injuries are not properly treated and symptoms persist or worsen months after the accident. Late whiplash is treatable, but the recovery process is longer and more complex than if treatment had begun soon after the collision.
What your first visit looks like
Dr. Baldwin begins with a detailed history of the accident — speed, direction of impact, seat position, and symptom timeline. This is followed by a comprehensive orthopedic and neurological examination of the spine and any affected extremities.
When imaging is indicated, Dr. Baldwin will order X-rays or review existing imaging. His training in advanced diagnostic imaging allows him to identify soft tissue injuries that may not be immediately apparent on standard films. If MRI is needed to evaluate disc injuries or nerve compression, he will coordinate that as well.
Based on the findings, he builds a treatment plan that typically combines:
- Chiropractic adjustments — restore proper alignment and joint mobility to the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine
- Acupuncture — reduce pain and inflammation, particularly effective for whiplash-related headaches and muscle tension
- Soft tissue therapy — address muscle spasm, scar tissue formation, and myofascial restrictions
- Spinal rehabilitation — progressive strengthening exercises to stabilize injured segments and restore function
- Class IV laser therapy — accelerate tissue healing and reduce inflammation at the cellular level
Colorado Med Pay coverage
In Colorado, most auto insurance policies include Medical Payments coverage (Med Pay), which pays for medical treatment after a car accident regardless of who was at fault. This means your treatment may be fully covered by your auto insurance with no out-of-pocket cost to you. Our team will verify your Med Pay coverage and handle the billing so you can focus on recovery.
Free consultation for auto accident patients
We offer a complimentary consultation for anyone who has been in an auto accident. There is no reason to live with pain from a collision — whether it happened last week or months ago.
Contact us at 303.647.9196 or to schedule your free consultation and begin your recovery.