Can a Centennial Chiropractor Treat Back Pain After a Car Accident Without Surgery?
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By Butler Family Health Center · Published 2026-11-05 · Last updated 2026-11-05
Yes. In most cases a Centennial chiropractor can treat back pain after a car accident without surgery, as long as an exam first rules out the warning signs that need a medical doctor. Strained muscles and ligaments, irritated spinal joints and many disc-related problems are crash injuries that non-surgical care is meant for. At Butler Family Health Center, Dr. Chris Butler has practiced chiropractic since 1996 and sees auto accident cases at our office in Peakview Center on S Quebec St.
For our full approach, see our page on non-surgical back pain treatment in Centennial.
How a Centennial Chiropractor Treats Crash-Related Back Pain Without Surgery
A chiropractor in Centennial can treat most crash-related back pain without surgery, because the practice Colorado law describes is hands-on adjustment and physical remedial care. The statute defines chiropractic as seeking to eliminate abnormal functioning of the human nervous system by the adjustment or manipulation, by hand or instrument, of the joints and nearby tissue of the body, "particularly the spinal column," along with the use of physical remedial measures.
The research shows a modest benefit. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health reports that spinal manipulation "may lead to small improvements in both pain and function," and that for acute low back pain the gain is modest, similar to what people get from NSAID pain relievers. The reviewers rated the evidence moderate, not high, quality. NCCIH also summarizes a 2017 review of 15 studies that found moderate-quality evidence of modest pain improvement for up to 6 weeks.
So if you were rear-ended on I-25 or bumped at a light on East Arapahoe Road, the realistic goal is less pain and better movement, measured at each visit. Results vary, and the exam decides whether you are a good fit.
Crash Injuries Behind Low Back Pain That Can Be Treated Without Surgery in Centennial
The crash injuries behind low back pain that most often fit non-surgical care in Centennial are soft tissue and joint problems: strained muscles and ligaments, stiff or irritated spinal joints, and disc-related pain such as a bulging or herniated disc. Our office also treats sciatica, pinched nerves and whiplash. Because whiplash can involve the low back too, we examine the whole spine.
Long commutes from Highlands Ranch or Littleton and desk days in the Denver Tech Center can make it worse, so tell us how long you sit and drive each day.
Symptoms After a Centennial Crash That Mean a Medical Doctor Should See You First
Some symptoms after a Centennial crash mean a medical doctor should check you before chiropractic care starts. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases lists these warning signs for back pain:
- Numbness or tingling
- Severe back pain that does not improve with medication
- Back pain after a fall or injury
- Trouble urinating
- Weakness, pain or numbness in the legs
- Fever
- Weight loss you did not intend
A car crash is an injury, so every crash case at our office starts with a careful history and exam.
If you have trouble urinating, new weakness in your legs, or pain that medication does not touch, get medical care right away. If paramedics checked you at the scene, bring any discharge papers to your first visit.
NIAMS also advises seeing a doctor when back pain does not improve after a few weeks. If our screening points to a problem that needs medical care, we tell you plainly.
What to Expect at Your First Back Exam After a Crash in Centennial
Your first back exam after a crash is mostly listening and testing. Treatment follows only when the findings support it.
- Crash history. How the collision happened, where you were sitting and when the pain started.
- Red-flag check. The warning signs above, plus past back problems, health conditions and medications. NCCIH advises sharing these with the practitioner before spinal manipulation.
- Physical exam. Posture, range of motion, tender areas, and strength and feeling in your legs.
- Imaging decision. If a disc or nerve problem needs a closer look, we tell you the next step. Our article on whether a Centennial chiropractor can refer you for an MRI covers that question for severe whiplash.
- Plan and records. What we found, what care aims to do, how progress will be measured and how your visit records fit your auto claim.
When the exam supports it, treatment may begin at that same visit.
Spinal Adjustment Safety for a Back Just Hurt in a Crash
A spinal adjustment for a back just hurt in a crash comes only after the exam, and serious problems are very rare, although mild side effects are common. NCCIH reports that more pain, stiffness or a headache after manipulation are common, and that "most of these side effects go away within 24 hours." Serious effects are "very rare," though neck manipulation has been linked to rare tears in neck arteries.
Patients often mention how gentle Dr. Butler is. Eric R. wrote: "Very gentle when getting adjusted." Our office also offers Class IV laser therapy and spinal decompression, and our article on soreness after a back adjustment explains normal post-visit soreness.
How Long Non-Surgical Care for Crash Back Pain Takes in Centennial
Non-surgical care for crash back pain in Centennial lasts as long as your exam findings and progress call for, with no fixed visit count. NIAMS describes acute back pain as lasting a few days to a few weeks, subacute pain as 4 to 12 weeks and chronic pain as longer than 12 weeks.
| Stage of back pain | How long it has lasted | What care aims to do |
|---|---|---|
| Acute | A few days to a few weeks | Calm pain, protect the injured area, restore basic movement |
| Subacute | 4 to 12 weeks | Rebuild range of motion and tolerance for sitting, driving and lifting |
| Chronic | Longer than 12 weeks | Reduce flare-ups and keep pain from limiting work and home life |
The American College of Physicians guideline lists spinal manipulation as an option for acute and subacute low back pain, usually alongside other care such as exercise and education. Once your exam clears it, that can mean easy walks on the High Line Canal Trail between visits.
- If your pain started in the last few days, book an exam now, while the injury is in the acute stage.
- If you felt fine at the scene but are stiff a few days later, call or text us. Delayed soreness still deserves an exam.
- If your pain has lasted past a few weeks without improving, come in so we can tell you whether medical follow-up belongs in the plan.
- If your teen was in the car too, bring them in. We treat all ages.
Why Back Pain Can Show Up Days After a Crash in Centennial
Back pain can show up days after a crash in Centennial because, at the scene, your attention is on the cars, the other driver and getting home. A sore back can go unnoticed until the next morning or later. That is no reason to wait it out, since NIAMS lists back pain after an injury as a reason to get checked, even after a slow bump in the IKEA Centennial parking lot.
How Colorado Auto Insurance Can Pay for Chiropractic Care After a Centennial Crash
Colorado auto insurance can pay for chiropractic care after a Centennial crash through medical payments coverage, often called MedPay, if your policy includes it. The Colorado General Assembly's guide to optional auto coverage says insurers generally offer medical payments coverage at a minimum of $5,000, and that it pays medical expenses, including copayments or deductibles, for the insured driver and passengers regardless of fault.
Colorado law also sets the order of payment: medical payments coverage "shall be primary to any health insurance benefit" of a person injured in a motor vehicle accident, and it can apply to the coinsurance or deductible under your health plan. In plain terms, MedPay usually pays first and your health plan may come after it.
Butler Family Health Center accepts auto accident and personal injury cases and handles auto accident claims. We are also a preferred provider for Anthem, Blue Cross, Aetna, Cofinity, Humana, Cigna, United Healthcare and others, and we offer cash plans for patients without insurance or with high deductibles. Bring your auto insurance card, your claim number if you have one and your health insurance card to the first visit.
Starting Care Before Your Auto Claim Is Settled
You can start care before your auto claim is settled, because medical payments coverage pays regardless of fault. We take walk-ins and offer same-day appointments: call or text (303) 741-2444. Starting soon also keeps your visit records close to the crash date.
Why Patients Book Butler Family Health Center for Back Pain After a Centennial Crash
Our office sees crash patients quickly and has experience with auto accident claims.
- Experience. Dr. Chris Butler has been a chiropractor since 1996, and some patients report coming to him for 20 years.
- Quick access. Same-day appointments and walk-ins.
- Claims help. Auto accident, personal injury, slip and fall and workers' compensation cases.
- More than adjustments. Shockwave therapy, Class IV laser therapy and spinal decompression when your exam calls for them.
- The whole family. All ages, from newborns to seniors, so everyone who was in the car can be seen in one place.
- Reputation. 4.9 stars on Google from more than 70 reviews.
Melanie H. summed up her visits this way: "From the very beginning, I felt listened to, cared for, and never rushed."
Our office is in Peakview Center at 6500 S Quebec St #250, a short drive from Englewood, Cherry Hills Village and the Centennial Civic Center area, with on-site parking and a wheelchair accessible entrance.
The Bottom Line
Yes, a Centennial chiropractor can treat most back pain after a car accident without surgery, once an exam has ruled out the warning signs that need a medical doctor. Research points to modest improvements from spinal manipulation, and Colorado medical payments coverage, where your policy has it, pays first regardless of fault. To start non-surgical back pain treatment in Centennial, call or text Butler Family Health Center at (303) 741-2444 and book your crash exam.