What is Spinal Decompression Therapy and how does it benefit back pain?

Spinal Decompression Therapy is a non-surgical treatment that uses controlled, gentle traction to reduce mechanical pressure on the spine. It may relieve pain associated with herniated or bulging discs, degenerative disc changes, spinal stiffness, and certain forms of sciatica by decreasing pressure on irritated spinal structures and improving joint mobility. Treatment plans are customized based on your examination, symptoms, and imaging when appropriate.

Is chiropractic care safe if I have a diagnosed herniated disc?

A herniated disc does not automatically prevent you from receiving chiropractic care, but the type of treatment must be selected carefully. We review your symptoms, neurological findings, medical history, and available MRI or other imaging before recommending treatment, and may use gentler techniques such as spinal decompression, mobilization, or other non-force therapies when traditional manipulation is not appropriate.

What exactly is SoftWave Therapy and how fast will I see results?

SoftWave Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that delivers acoustic waves into injured or painful tissue to stimulate biological processes associated with circulation, tissue repair, and healing. It is commonly used for chronic tendon, ligament, muscle, joint, and soft-tissue conditions. Some patients notice improvement after the first few treatments, while chronic conditions may require several sessions before significant changes are noticed; individual results vary depending on the condition and severity.

Do I need a primary care physician referral to begin treatment at your clinic?

In most cases, no. Chiropractic care is generally available through direct access, meaning you may schedule an evaluation without first obtaining a referral from your primary care physician. Certain insurance plans or specific medical circumstances may have additional requirements, which we can verify before treatment begins.

Do you accept Medicare and major private health insurance providers?

We accept Medicare and most major insurances. Chiropractic benefits, deductibles, copayments, and covered services vary by plan, so our office can verify your benefits before treatment. Some services, including certain advanced therapies, may not be covered even when chiropractic care itself is included in your plan.

Will my diagnostic images (X-rays, MRI scans) be taken at your clinic?

No. When diagnostic imaging is medically appropriate, we refer patients to a local imaging facility for X-rays, MRI, or other studies and review the results as part of your treatment planning. Existing images and radiology reports are also helpful and should be brought or sent to our office whenever available.

Are non-surgical spinal treatments painful or uncomfortable?

Most non-surgical spinal treatments are designed to be comfortable and are well tolerated. You may experience mild stretching, pressure, or temporary soreness as your body responds to treatment, particularly during the first few visits. Treatment intensity is adjusted to your condition and comfort level, and you should always tell your provider if something feels painful or unusual.

How many sessions will I need before my chronic sciatica resolves?

There is no single number of treatments that can guarantee resolution of sciatica because the underlying cause, severity, duration, and neurological involvement differ from patient to patient. Some patients improve within several visits, while chronic disc-related or degenerative conditions may require a longer course of care. After your examination and review of any necessary imaging, we will recommend an individualized treatment plan and regularly reassess your progress.

What is your clinic’s cancellation and appointment rescheduling policy?

We understand that schedules can change. We ask that patients provide at least 24 hours’ notice when canceling or rescheduling an appointment.

Is SoftWave Therapy covered by commercial health insurance?

SoftWave Therapy is frequently considered a non-covered or elective service by commercial health insurance plans, although coverage varies by carrier and individual policy. When it is not covered, treatment is available on a self-pay basis, and our staff will explain all costs before care begins. Insurance coverage for other services provided during your visit may be different.

← Back to blog Auto Accident Injury

What to Do After a Car Accident in Lakeland, FL

By Iron Spine Medical · Lakeland, Florida

Driver checking the damage after a minor car accident on a Lakeland, Florida road

The sound of a collision lasts a second. The effects on your body can last for months. If you were just in a crash on US-98, Memorial Boulevard, Lakeland Hills Boulevard or I-4, what you do in the next few hours and days can shape both your recovery and your options later.

Many people walk away from a car accident feeling shaken but fine, then wake up two days later with a stiff neck, a throbbing lower back or a headache that will not quit. That is common, and it is exactly why a clear plan matters.

This guide covers what to do after a car accident in Lakeland, FL, how Florida’s 14-day PIP rule affects your auto injury care, and which symptoms deserve a closer look.

Quick checklist: get safe, call 911 if anyone is hurt, report the crash, document the scene, get checked by a provider within 14 days, track your symptoms, and keep up with your injury care.

Step 1: Check for Injuries and Get Safe

Your first job is safety. If you can, move your vehicle out of traffic and turn on your hazard lights. Call 911 if anyone is hurt, unconscious, or complaining of neck or back pain. If someone may have a spinal injury, do not move them unless they are in immediate danger.

Adrenaline can hide pain right after a crash. Feeling okay at the scene does not mean you are uninjured.

Step 2: Call the Police and Get a Crash Report

Florida law requires crashes involving injury to be reported. Inside Lakeland city limits, the Lakeland Police Department typically responds. In unincorporated Polk County, it is usually the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and on I-4 it is the Florida Highway Patrol. Ask the officer for the report number so you can get a copy later.

Step 3: Document the Scene and Exchange Information

While you wait, collect as much as you safely can:

The other driver’s name, phone number, insurance company and policy number
License plate numbers and the make and model of each vehicle
Photos of vehicle damage, the road, traffic signs, skid marks and any visible injuries
Names and phone numbers of witnesses

Stick to facts. Do not guess about who was at fault or say you are sorry in a way that could be misread. Let the investigation sort out fault.

Step 4: See a Provider Within 14 Days (This One Affects Your PIP Benefits)

Florida is a no-fault state, and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is required on Florida auto policies. PIP generally pays regardless of who caused the crash. The catch is timing: under Florida Statutes section 627.736, PIP medical benefits apply only if you receive initial services and care within 14 days after the accident.

Here is what the statute says in plain language:

PIP pays 80 percent of reasonable, medically necessary expenses, plus 60 percent of lost income, up to a $10,000 limit.
Initial care from a medical doctor, osteopathic physician, dentist, chiropractic physician or advanced practice registered nurse counts, as does care at a hospital.
The full $10,000 in medical benefits applies when a medical doctor, osteopath, dentist, physician assistant or advanced practice nurse determines you had an emergency medical condition. If it is determined you did not, medical reimbursement is limited to $2,500.

Because policies and claims vary, confirm the details with your insurance company. The practical takeaway is simple: do not wait. If you went to the ER or urgent care, follow up for your muscle, joint and spine symptoms. If you did not, schedule an evaluation with an auto injury clinic in Lakeland as soon as you can.

Step 5: Know the Symptoms That Show Up Late

Some car accident injuries appear hours or days after the crash, after swelling builds and muscles tighten. Watch for:

Neck pain or stiffness
Back pain, especially in the lower back
Headaches, often starting at the base of the skull
Shoulder pain or pain between the shoulder blades
Numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, legs or feet
Dizziness, fatigue, or trouble concentrating

Back Pain After a Car Accident

The force of a collision can strain muscles and ligaments, irritate joints, and injure the discs that cushion your spine. Back pain after a car accident may start as a dull ache and grow into sharp pain, muscle spasms, or pain that travels down the leg. Disc injuries can be part of the picture, and you can learn more in our guide on whether a herniated disc can be treated with physical therapy.

Go to the ER right away if back pain comes with leg weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the groin area.

Whiplash After a Car Accident

Whiplash happens when your head is thrown forward and back faster than your neck can handle, which is common in rear-end collisions, even at low speed. Whiplash after a car accident can cause neck pain, stiffness, reduced range of motion, headaches, shoulder pain and dizziness. Symptoms often take hours or days to appear, so a delayed onset does not mean the injury is minor.

Step 6: Start a Symptom Journal

Write down what hurts, when it started, how bad it is on a 1 to 10 scale, and what makes it better or worse. Note how the injury affects work, sleep, driving and daily tasks. This record helps your provider build an accurate treatment plan and gives you a clear timeline if questions come up later.

Step 7: Notify Your Insurance Company

Report the accident to your own insurer promptly and stick to the facts. You generally are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company, and it is reasonable to get advice before doing so. Keep copies of every bill, receipt, letter and email related to the crash.

Step 8: Start Injury Care and Stay Consistent

Gaps in treatment can slow your recovery, and insurers may question injuries when care stops and starts. A proper evaluation looks at how your spine, joints and soft tissues were affected, then builds a plan around you. Depending on your exam, auto injury care at Iron Spine Medical may include:

Chiropractic adjustments to restore joint motion and ease pain
Spinal decompression therapy for disc-related back and neck pain
Physical therapy in Lakeland to rebuild strength, flexibility and stability
SoftWave therapy to support soft tissue recovery

Wondering what a visit actually involves? Read how a chiropractor treats auto accident injuries from the first exam to follow-up care.

Step 9: Avoid These Common Mistakes

Waiting it out. Pain that lingers or worsens after a few days deserves an evaluation, and the 14-day PIP window keeps running.
Skipping follow-ups. Stopping care early can lead to longer recovery or lingering pain.
Posting about the accident online. Social media posts can be taken out of context.
Rushing a settlement. You may not know the full extent of your injuries yet.
Returning to heavy activity too soon. Lifting, gym workouts and long drives can aggravate healing tissue.

Step 10: Consider Talking to a Personal Injury Attorney

If your injuries are significant, fault is disputed, or an insurance company is pushing back, you may want to speak with a Florida personal injury attorney about your rights. Medical care and legal advice are separate. Iron Spine Medical provides evaluation, treatment and clear medical records, and does not provide legal advice.

Hurt in a Car Accident in Lakeland? We Can Help

At Iron Spine Medical, our Lakeland team helps patients recover from car accident injury, whiplash, back pain, sciatica and other personal injury concerns. Chiropractic care, physical therapy and spinal decompression are available under one roof, so your injury care stays coordinated. Learn more about our auto injury care in Lakeland, FL.

To get started, contact Iron Spine Medical or call 813-435-6876.

Iron Spine Medical
1847 N Crystal Lake Drive, Lakeland, FL 33801
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 9 AM to 12 PM and 3 PM to 6 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM to 12 PM

Book Your Free Injury Evaluation

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon should I see a doctor after a car accident in Lakeland?

As soon as possible, and no later than 14 days after the crash if you want PIP medical benefits to apply. Many car accident injuries, including whiplash and back pain, show up days later, so an early evaluation protects both your health and your options.

Should I go to the ER or a chiropractor after a car accident?

Go to the ER or call 911 for severe pain, head injury, loss of consciousness, chest or abdominal pain, numbness or weakness. For neck, back and joint pain without red-flag symptoms, an evaluation at an auto injury clinic can help you start injury care right away. Many patients do both: ER first, then follow-up care.

What is Florida’s 14-day rule for PIP?

Under Florida law, PIP medical benefits are available only if you get initial services and care within 14 days after the accident from a qualifying provider. Check with your insurer for how it applies to your policy.

Does PIP apply if the other driver caused the accident?

Yes. Florida is a no-fault state, so your own PIP coverage generally applies regardless of who was at fault, up to the policy limits.

Can whiplash show up days after a car accident?

Yes. Whiplash after a car accident can take hours or days to appear as inflammation and muscle tension develop. Neck pain, stiffness, headaches and dizziness that start after a crash should be evaluated.

How long does back pain after a car accident last?

It varies with the type and severity of the injury. Mild strains may improve in a few weeks, while disc or joint injuries can take longer. If back pain lasts more than a few days, keeps getting worse, or travels into the leg, get evaluated.

Do I need an attorney before I start treatment?

No. You do not need to hire an attorney before seeking medical care, and delaying care can hurt your recovery and your PIP eligibility. If you want legal guidance about a personal injury claim, speak with a licensed Florida attorney.

What does Iron Spine Medical treat after a car accident?

Our team evaluates and treats neck pain, back pain, whiplash, sciatica, disc-related pain and other auto injury concerns using chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy and spinal decompression, based on your exam.

This article is for general education and is not medical or legal advice. Insurance rules and benefits vary, so confirm details with your insurer or a licensed Florida attorney. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.