Winter driving in Minnesota can be unpredictable—and dangerous. Recently, there were over 800 car accidents in the Twin Cities metro area in just one week due to snow, sleet, and icy road conditions. Pileups, rear-end collisions, and vehicles sliding off the road are all too common.

If you’ve been in a car accident and have already been medically evaluated for serious injuries, you may still find yourself asking:
“Why do I still feel sore, stiff, or off?”
And more importantly: “What should I do next?”

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Step 1: Notify Your Auto Insurance Carrier

The first step is to contact your auto insurance provider to open a claim. This allows them to begin processing repairs for your vehicle—but just as importantly, it also documents any injuries or symptoms you are experiencing.

Even symptoms that seem minor—such as:

• Neck stiffness
• Headaches
• Back pain
• Shoulder tension
• Jaw discomfort
• Fatigue

…should be reported. These can all be signs of whiplash or soft tissue injury, which often worsen if left untreated.

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Step 2: Get Assessed by a Chiropractor Experienced in Auto Injuries

Emergency rooms and primary care physicians are excellent at identifying serious trauma such as fractures or internal injuries. However, once those are ruled out, most patients are told to take pain medication and rest.

The problem is that pain medication does not address the underlying soft tissue damage that commonly occurs after a car accident.

As a chiropractor specializing in auto accident injuries in Woodbury, MN, I focus on evaluating and treating:

• Ligament injuries
• Muscle trauma
• Joint dysfunction
• Nervous system irritation
• Whiplash injuries
• Post-accident headaches

These are the injuries most responsible for chronic pain and long-term disability when left untreated.

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Comprehensive Car Accident Care at Functional Health Unlimited

At Functional Health Unlimited, your initial appointment is typically 30–60 minutes, because effective recovery requires more than a quick adjustment.

In addition to chiropractic care, I use a wide range of evidence-informed therapies designed to:

• Speed healing
• Reduce inflammation
• Restore mobility
• Decrease pain
• Prevent chronic injury

These therapies may include:

• Graston Technique
• Therapeutic Massage
• Cupping Therapy
• Acupuncture
• Dry Needling
• Ultrasound Therapy
• Electrical Muscle Stimulation
• Corrective Therapeutic Exercise

This comprehensive approach allows us to address not only your spine, but also the soft tissue injuries that are most commonly damaged in car accidents.

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Step 3: Follow Your Doctor’s At-Home Recommendations

Healing doesn’t stop when you leave the clinic. Depending on your specific injuries, I may recommend:

• Temporary activity modifications
• Reduced workload
• Changes to your exercise routine
• Stretching routines
• Ice or heat therapy
• Postural support

These recommendations are designed to help your body heal properly and avoid long-term complications.

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Don’t Ignore “Minor” Pain After an Accident

What feels like a simple sore neck or back could actually be a sprain or strain that will not heal correctly without care. Untreated injuries can lead to:

• Chronic neck and back pain
• Long-term headaches
• Reduced range of motion
• Degenerative changes in the spine
• Ongoing nerve irritation

Early treatment is one of the most important factors in preventing chronic problems.

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Auto Accident Chiropractor in Woodbury, MN

If you’ve been in a car accident—recently or even months ago—I encourage you to get evaluated by someone trained in auto injury care.

👉 Learn more about our car accident and soft tissue treatments:
https://www.functionalhealthunlimited.com

👉 Schedule your appointment here:
Request Appointment

Your body deserves proper care after trauma. Let’s make sure you heal fully—not just temporarily.

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Dr. Lori Jokinen, DC, CACCP, CFMP, BA
Chiropractic & Functional Medicine Care
Functional Health Unlimited – Woodbury, Minnesota