Home Conditions treated Auto accident injury
Hurt in a car accident?
Get checked, even if you feel fine. Dr. Casteel evaluates neck and back injuries after a collision, and auto PIP coverage often includes chiropractic benefits. Call and we will check yours with you.
Short answers
-
Get checked early
Dr. Casteel recommends an evaluation as soon as you can after any collision, even if you feel fine at first.
-
Come after work
- Mon, Wed, Fri 9am–1pm
- Mon, Wed, Fri 3pm–8pm
-
Auto insurance
Many auto policies include chiropractic benefits through personal injury protection (PIP). Coverage depends on your plan, so call and we will check yours with you.
What to know after a collision
Dr. Casteel's answers to what people ask once the shock wears off.
-
I feel okay. Could I still be hurt?
Feeling okay right after a collision is common. Pain can stay hidden for hours or even days, so neck stiffness, headaches or back pain often show up in the 24 to 72 hours that follow.
Dr. Casteel recommends a chiropractic evaluation as soon as possible after any collision, even if you feel fine at first. An early look means an injury is found sooner, and care can start sooner if you need it.
-
Can a minor accident cause a serious injury?
Yes. How badly a vehicle is damaged is not a reliable sign of how badly someone is hurt. A low-speed impact that barely dents a bumper can still strain the neck, especially through whiplash.
Dr. Casteel says many of the patients he treats for significant injuries were in what looked like minor collisions. Any accident, whatever the damage to the vehicle, is worth having evaluated.
-
What is whiplash, and how is it treated?
Whiplash is a neck injury from the head snapping quickly forward and back in a collision. It can strain the muscles, ligaments, discs and joints of the neck, and cause pain, stiffness, headaches and nerve symptoms that can last for weeks or months.
Dr. Casteel treats whiplash with gentle neck adjustments, soft tissue therapies and rehabilitation exercises, matched to how severe your injury is. See Whiplash Treatment for more.
-
How soon after an accident should I be seen?
As soon as you can, ideally within 24 to 72 hours of the accident. The sooner Dr. Casteel evaluates you, the sooner care can begin if you need it.
His concern with waiting is that an untreated injury can lead to scar tissue, ongoing inflammation and movement patterns your body adopts to work around it. Call (814) 235-9400 to set an evaluation.
Care after an accident
What care involves depends on what Dr. Casteel finds. He matches it to the nature and extent of your injuries.
-
Neck and spine adjustments
Dr. Casteel chooses the technique that suits you and your injury.
-
For soft tissue damage.
-
For injured joints outside the spine.
-
Stretching & Strengthening Exercises
Rehabilitation exercises chosen for you.
-
Gentle neck adjustments, soft tissue therapies and exercises, matched to how severe the injury is.
Insurance and older injuries
Two questions people ask before they call.
Will my auto insurance cover chiropractic care?
Care after a car accident may be covered under personal injury protection (PIP), medical payment coverage or a third-party liability claim. What applies depends on your policy and your claim.
Dr. Casteel documents your injuries and how your treatment is going, which can support a claim you need to file. Call (814) 235-9400 to go over your situation. Have your auto claim details handy, and the front desk will help you check your coverage and the insurance process.
What if my pain is from an accident months or years ago?
It is not too late to ask. Many patients come in with pain from accidents that happened months or years in the past.
Dr. Casteel evaluates your current condition, looks for injuries that were never resolved and for movement patterns your body adopted around them, and builds a care plan from what he finds. Call (814) 235-9400 to set your evaluation.
The front desk at the office, where your visit starts.
Your first visit, step by step
New to chiropractic? Here is what happens, from the phone call to your talk with Dr. Casteel.
- 1
Call the front desk
They find a time that fits around your work, answer insurance questions and tell you what to bring. (814) 235-9400
- 2
Bring your insurance card
If you were hurt in a car accident, bring your auto claim details too.
- 3
History and exam
Dr. Casteel reviews your history and examines you.
- 4
Your options
Dr. Casteel talks through your options with you.
Insurance, in plain words
Coverage depends on your plan. Call and we'll check yours with you.
| How you might pay | What we can tell you |
|---|---|
| Health insurance | Many major commercial plans include chiropractic benefits. |
| Medicare | Many plans, including Medicare, include chiropractic benefits. Call and we'll help you check yours. |
| Auto insurance (PIP) after an accident | Many plans, including auto PIP, include chiropractic benefits. Call and we'll help you check yours, and have your claim details handy. |
| Which plans we take, and visit prices | The front desk can tell you which plans the office takes and what a visit costs. Call (814) 235-9400. |
- Health insurance
- Many major commercial plans include chiropractic benefits.
- Medicare
- Many plans, including Medicare, include chiropractic benefits. Call and we'll help you check yours.
- Auto insurance (PIP) after an accident
- Many plans, including auto PIP, include chiropractic benefits. Call and we'll help you check yours, and have your claim details handy.
- Which plans we take, and visit prices
- The front desk can tell you which plans the office takes and what a visit costs. Call (814) 235-9400.
What people ask before they call
Can I come in after work?
Yes. These are the office hours:
- Mon, Wed, Fri 9am–1pm
- Mon, Wed, Fri 3pm–8pm
Do you treat injuries from car accidents?
Yes. Dr. Casteel offers Accident Injury Treatments and Whiplash Treatment. Call and we'll check your auto coverage with you.
Will you take x-rays?
Dr. Casteel reviews your history and examines you, and takes x-rays if they're needed.
Do you see children or pregnant patients?
The office lists Pediatric Chiropractic Care and Treatments During Pregnancy among its services. Call first and the front desk can tell you more.
Do you offer more than adjustments?
Yes: Myofascial Release, Trigger point therapy, Stretching & Strengthening Exercises and Lifestyle & Nutritional Advice.
Where to find us, and when
Casteel Chiropractic
1411 N Atherton St, State College, PA 16803
Hours
- Mon, Wed, Fri 9am–1pm
- Mon, Wed, Fri 3pm–8pm
Hurt in an accident? Call.
The front desk finds a time after work and helps you check your auto coverage. Have your claim details handy. Open until 8 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.