In the State of Hawaii, automobile owners are required to carry “no fault” coverage for their vehicles and passengers. That means that if you are in an accident, you always have chiropractic coverage. You don’t need a referral for chiropractic treatment (though you do for massage) and Dr. Zen can even act as your Primary Care physician.
After an accident, you may experience obvious pains and symptoms such as muscle stiffness or spasm, neck pain, headaches, numbness and tingling, 
back pain, difficulty sleeping, memory loss, fatigue, or other general pains. Even worse,you may be injured and feel nothing at all. You should get yourself checked out immediately by a doctor trained in recognizing soft tissue damage. Unfortunately, most doctors are not train Provider. Auto injuries can be a serious and painful experience, which is why you need to seek treatment as soon as possible. Many symptoms of injury can take weeks to appear. If you have been in a car accident, even a minor one at slow speeds, it is imperative that you see a doctor immediately. When in doubt, get yourself checked out! We recommend The Medical Corner in Honolulu if you don’t already have a family doctor.
Dr. Zen is trained to diagnose and treat injuries related to automobile accidents. At Zen Health Center, we offer chiropractic treatments andtherapeutic massage specifically designed to help you recover from a car accident. Nothing is more important than your health, especially when you face painful, and potentially permanent injury. That is why Dr. Zen has provided a few answers to common questions he often hears from patients after they have been in an accident and his answers below. If you’re a health care professional, you should visit our For Medical Professionals page for information on the medical effectiveness of chiropractics and for information about referring.
Common Questions and Dr. Zen’s Answers:
- Q: Do I Need a Referral to Get Treatment?
A: You do not need a referral for chiropractic treatment, unless you are under managed care. You do need a referral for therapeutic massage from you general practitioner (M.D.) or, if you do not have a general practitioner, we recommend you visit The Medical Corner at one of their several locations in Honolulu, Hawaii.
- Q: Should I See An Attorney Before I See My Chiropractor?
A: It is important to get checked out by the doctor first. That way the findings from your exam will allow you the information you need in order to decide if an attorney is necessary. If necessary, we can refer you to a reputable and qualified attorney.
- Q: What If My Car Sustained Only Minor Damage?
A: Documented studies done by Charles Carroll, M.D., Paul McAtee, M.D. and Lee Riley, M.D. revealed that: “The amount of damage to the automobile bears little relation to the force applied to the cervical spine (neck) of the occupants.” In other words, the damage to the passengers is not necessarily directly related to the damage to the vehicle.
- Q: If I Need Treatment For This Injury, Do I Have To Pay For It Myself?
A: If you were in an accident in the State of Hawaii, your “no fault” auto insurance immediately covers the cost of chiropractic treatment. It also covers the cost of therapeutic massage when referred by your primary care physician.
- Q: I’ve Been To The Hospital And/Or My Medical Doctor, Do I Really Need To See a Chiropractor?
A: You need a doctor who focuses in the treatment and diagnosis of auto accident injuries. Usually hospitals will check vital signs, make sure there are no life-threatening conditions and release the patient with pain relief medication. They normally do not treat the underlying improper musculoskeletal biomechanics that can and often do lead to future pain. If your M.D. has given you painkillers, you must understand that pills do not correct or heal soft tissue damage. There are special therapies designed for that which we provide in our office.
- Q: Does Your Care Hurt?
A: Absolutely not. My primary goal is to reduce your pain and speed your healing process, not to make things worse.
- Q: Is The Care Safe?
A: Yes, especially when compared to the potential side effects from pain medication and long-term injuries which result from automobile accidents.
To learn more about chiropractic treatment, click here.
For more information on therapeutic massage, click here.