Feeling fine today is common
Right after a collision, adrenaline and the stress of the moment can mask discomfort. Neck stiffness, headaches, back soreness and trouble turning your head often show up hours or a day or two later. Whiplash, a neck strain from a sudden back-and-forth movement, is one of the most common examples.
Getting checked early gives you a clear starting point. It also creates a dated record of what you noticed and when, which helps if you later need to explain it to an insurer.
When to go to the emergency room instead
Call 911 or go to an emergency room for a severe or worsening headache, confusion, unusual drowsiness, slurred speech, a seizure, fainting or repeated vomiting. Do the same for chest pain, trouble breathing, belly pain or swelling, and numbness or weakness in an arm or leg. Do the same for loss of bladder or bowel control, and for pain that is severe and getting worse. Do not wait for an office appointment for any of these.
For soreness, stiffness and aches without those warning signs, a prompt evaluation in an office setting is the right next step. Do not wait to see if it settles on its own.
What an Envista evaluation looks like
Envista Medical sees people after auto accidents and work injuries. Your first visit starts with what happened, how you have felt since, and what has changed in your day. The team examines movement, strength and tender areas and decides whether imaging or a medical evaluation is needed. At your Care Plan Presentation, the visit right after your exam, you hear what the team found and the options that fit before any plan begins.
Care may include chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitation and corrective exercise, and physician-led medical care in the same office, so you are not juggling several clinics while you recover. Your plan is built around your exam.
What to bring
Bring your photo ID, your health insurance card, your auto insurance details and claim number if you have one, and your attorney's contact details if you are working with one. A short list of symptoms with the dates they started is also useful.
Fill in the personal injury intake form before your visit, or the workers' compensation intake form if the accident happened on the job, so the office has your details ready. Coverage differs by policy, and our front desk at (661) 587-0700 can tell you how billing works for your situation.
Bring your questions.
Choose a time that works for you and tell us what brings you in. Your first visit is a conversation and an exam, and you decide on next steps at your own pace.
Medical care conversations are with Dr. Curt Collins, DC and our licensed medical team. Read what Envista patients say.
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Envista Medical is at 3900 Coffee Road, Suite 3, Bakersfield, CA 93308. Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 6 PM. Call (661) 587-0700 or book online any time.