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Workers' Comp Chiropractor in Sun Prairie, WI

Workers' Comp Treatment Chiropractor Sun Prairie, WI

For many people, the fear of getting hurt at work is very real, especially for those that have labor-intensive, physical jobs. It’s a valid fear, too, as this is a person’s livelihood – how they pay their bills and support their families. They may be the only one in the family who works, so the stress to stay healthy and avoid accidents is especially high.

Unfortunately, work accidents are common. If you find yourself the victim of a work injury, it’s important to make sure you understand the workers’ compensation procedure in Wisconsin so you are protected as much as possible. There are numerous steps you need to take if you are entitled to compensation from a workers’ comp claim. The first and arguably the most critical step is to report the incident as soon as possible to your employer so they can report it to their insurance carrier and the Wisconsin Workers’ Compensation Division. Do not delay or skip this step, as it may negatively affect your health and jeopardize your potential worker’s comp benefits.

It is also your responsibility to obtain any necessary medical attention. Some injuries may be acute and emergent, like a broken arm that requires emergency care. However, just because you don’t go to the hospital or Emergency Room doesn’t mean you don’t have damage or injuries from the accident. In fact, many people end up with chronic pain because they don’t get the problem taken care of soon after the accident. Remember that while this may be your first work accident, insurance adjusters do this every day. It is their job to keep payment on the claim as low as possible and look for reasons not to pay. This is why it is essential to work with doctors and professionals who understand worker’s comp, so you aren’t at a disadvantage.

An injured worker in Wisconsin has three main rights:

  1. The right to receive benefits, regardless of who caused or helped cause the injury. The exceptions to this are: If the worker injured themself intentionally, was injured while participating in an off-duty activity, or the injury occurred during horseplay or fighting that the worker initiated.
  2. The right to receive the medical care reasonable and necessary to treat the work-related injury or illness. In Wisconsin, the worker has the right to a first and second choice of doctors licensed to practice in the state. Any out-of-state or third choice of doctors must be made by mutual agreement with the insurance carrier unless there is a referral from the doctor. This means YOU get to choose who you seek care from, regardless of whether your medical insurance is in network with the doctor. If you don’t feel like the first doctor is treating you to the best of their ability, you may choose a different doctor and still be covered.
  3. The right to confidentiality. Only people involved in the claim have the right to information in the Division’s files.

How We Treat Workers’ Comp Injuries in Sun Prairie, WI

Comprehensive Consultation and Exam

A typical first visit as an injured worker is just like any other new patient visit in that it consists of two components: The consultation and the examination. The doctor will listen to how this accident occurred and is affecting your life. Documentation of this event is critical. The doctor must be very thorough, so any details you can provide are helpful. This information will help the doctor narrow down what to look for during the examination.

The examination consists of different tests such as range of motion, orthopedic, neurological, and specific chiropractic tests. This allows the doctors to obtain the pertinent clinical information to diagnose and make accurate recommendations for your care, allowing your body to heal faster and return to full function.

Digital X-rays

X-rays are incredibly important after a work accident to determine the extent of your injury. X-rays taken at the Emergency Room following trauma are taken and studied differently than those taken in our office. For example, most medical doctors and radiologists are concerned with finding red flags such as fractures, tumors, etc. Chiropractors are concerned with the spine’s alignment and how misalignments may cause pain, interfere with healing, and affect your overall function. The doctors at Noble Choice chiropractic use digital X-rays to perform a motion study of your spine, which helps them create care plan recommendations.

Specific Chiropractic Care in Sun Prairie, WI

Many injured workers who come to our office are experiencing musculoskeletal symptoms such as neck pain, low back pain, headaches, or extremity pain. Trauma (or sudden stress to the body) can cause the spine to become out of alignment. This misalignment is called a subluxation, which creates pressure on the nervous system. The brain processes the pressure as pain, numbness, tingling, or other dysfunctional symptoms.

Chiropractors have extensive training in not only detecting these subluxations but correcting them. Correction occurs through chiropractic adjustments, where the misalignment is put back into place by hand. This removes the interference between the brain and the body and begins the healing process. Chiropractic care gets to the root of the problem instead of just band-aid care to the symptoms.

Customized Therapeutic Exercise Plan

After an injury occurs, the body begins to build up scar tissue. Unlike skeletal muscle fibers which are parallel and glide easily, scar tissue is irregular and dense. The irregular pattern makes it more difficult for normal range of motion to occur, in addition to being painful.

Our custom therapeutic exercise plans are designed to help you recover your full range of motion and strengthen any weak areas from the injury. The goal is to help improve posture, strengthen the spine, and enhance your chiropractic adjustments.

Common Work-Related Injuries

Slips and Falls

The top reason for submitting a workers’ comp claim is an injury caused by a slip and fall. Slips and falls can occur in various work environments, such as oily, wet floors or icy grounds. Some employees must regularly navigate unprotected holes, clutter, or areas with poor lighting. Others work from various heights, such as ladders, scaffoldings, and roofs, where a fall could cause serious injury. This trauma can result in subluxations, broken limbs, concussion, and whiplash. Chiropractors are trained to help with these conditions.

Overexertion

While slips and falls often result in acute injuries, overexertion injuries tend to present over a longer period of time. Many jobs require repetitive manual work, which causes micro-trauma to the muscles over time. This can be from heavy lifting during the job or even sitting at a desk all day. These muscle strains from repetitive motion can cause long-term debilitating pain and lead to a loss of productivity. Because these injuries happen gradually, they tend to take longer to heal. However, with chiropractic adjustments, corrections to ergonomics, and exercises, injured workers have the potential to feel significantly better.

Crashes and Collisions

Many people operate heavy machinery as a daily part of their job. Crashes and collisions are common in construction sites, warehouses, and while commuting in a vehicle. The force from a collision can cause symptoms like headache, whiplash, neck pain, and muscle strains. Chiropractic care and exercises can help accelerate healing from this trauma.

Low Back Pain

Low back pain is the #1 cause of disability in the United States and is a common cause of a worker’s compensation claim. Back pain can be due to various reasons, such as disc issues, subluxations, muscle strains, and more. Low back pain tends to become chronic, if not properly treated, becoming disabling. In some cases, it may prevent the worker from being able to do the work again. This is why it is so important to address these injuries immediately to prevent long-term degeneration.

Neck Pain

Along with back pain, neck pain is another commonly reported injury. This is especially true after any type of collision, no matter the speed. Even in low-speed collisions, the neck and cervical spine can be injured. Neck pain can also be caused by poor posture, like computer work. Poor posture can accelerate degeneration in your neck and lead to longer-term issues that are harder to correct. Again, it is essential to seek chiropractic care soon after any accidents pertaining to the neck to get you healing faster and prevent long-term symptoms.

What You Need To Know If You’ve Been In An Accident At Work in Sun Prairie, WI

Should I go to the chiropractor after a work-related accident?

Yes! The sooner you seek chiropractic care, the sooner you can start healing and getting back to work. But if your injury is life-threatening or an emergency, seek proper medical attention first.

Does insurance pay for a chiropractor after a work-related accident?

Yes, the employer’s insurance carrier will pay for chiropractic care for a certain amount of time after an accident (generally three months) if the case is approved. This is why you shouldn’t delay care!

Do I have to pay anything out of pocket after a work-related accident?

In general, no. As long as you follow the Work Comp injury process outlined by the state of Wisconsin and your case is approved, you will be covered at 100%. In some instances, insurance will attempt to not pay for services, and the doctors have the training to handle these cases.

How long should I go to a chiropractor after a work-related accident?

Noble Choice Chiropractic creates customized care plans following a work accident. Depending on the extent of your injury and the care required, you should expect to be treated for at least three months. Once you reach “maximum medical improvement,” you will be discharged from acute care.

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