Injuries & Accidents
Hands-On Care After Injuries and Accidents
Osteopathic care in Decatur for pain and stiffness that hang on after a fall, a car accident, or surgery.
Releasing protective tension
After an injury, the muscles around it tighten to protect it. That helps at first, but the tightness can stay long after the injury has healed, leaving stiffness or a feeling that something is still off. If pain lingers, your body can stay primed to keep sending pain signals from that area to your brain. This can happen after a recent injury or one from years ago.
I use my hands to feel where things are tight, and I work slowly, only going as far as feels okay. Usually the tightness lets go once it isn’t needed anymore. If there’s a movement you’ve been avoiding, like reaching overhead or turning to check your blind spot, I may ask you to try it in small steps, with my hands for support, until it feels safe.
How I practice
Consent
Touch happens only with your consent, and you can pause or change anything at any time.
Comfort
Your comfort is our guide. Positioning and pace adjust to you.
Being believed
Your symptoms are real, and what you tell me about your experience matters.
What people come in for
- Car accidents and whiplash Neck pain, headaches, or stiffness since a car accident.
- Falls and sprains An ankle, knee, wrist, or shoulder that still doesn’t feel right.
- After surgery Tightness or changes in how you move near a surgical area, once your surgeon says hands-on care is okay.
- Old injuries Something from years ago that still affects how you move.
- Slower recovery with hypermobility With HSD or EDS, injuries can take longer to heal. More about hypermobility care
Working alongside your other care
Osteopathic manual medicine works alongside your other doctors and therapies, including physical therapy. It does not replace primary care, and you should have a primary care physician managing your overall health. You don’t need a diagnosis or a referral to come in.
Common questions
Is this kind of care right for me?
This is gentle, hands-on care, and it’s different from most medical visits. It’s a good fit if you’re curious about the process and comfortable with some uncertainty.
Each visit is exploratory. I use my hands to feel where things are tight and where they move easily, and I ask what you notice as we go. Part of the work is learning to notice what’s happening in yourself, like where you hold tension or what helps you settle. That awareness is a big part of what makes treatment work, and it builds over time.
I can’t tell you ahead of time how many visits you’ll need, and changes are often subtle at first. This isn’t something I do to you. We work on it together. Not sure it’s for you? Start with a free 15 minute call.
During treatment I often work quietly, because it helps both of us notice what’s changing. I check in as we go, and you can ask a question or pause at any time. At the end, I ask what you noticed. The focus is on your experience, not on what I find.
Can an osteopath help after a car accident?
Yes. After a car accident or fall, muscles around the injury often stay tight and guarded, even once the injury itself has healed. I start gently and build as healing allows. If something needs imaging or another specialist first, I’ll tell you.
How soon after an injury can I come in?
Once urgent problems have been checked, you can come in. Starting early can help, and treatment is gentle enough to use while you’re still healing.
Do you work with physical therapists?
Yes. Osteopathic treatment works well alongside physical therapy, and I’m glad to coordinate with your therapist.
Appointments
50 minute visits, $310
By appointment. See current openings online.
No referral needed
Superbills provided for out-of-network reimbursement
HSA and FSA cards accepted
Not sure it’s a fit? Book a free 15 minute call.
Ready to schedule?
Is this care right for me?
Is this kind of care right for me?
This is gentle, hands-on care, and it’s different from most medical visits. It’s a good fit if you’re curious about the process and comfortable with some uncertainty.
Each visit is exploratory. I use my hands to feel where things are tight and where they move easily, and I ask what you notice as we go. Part of the work is learning to notice what’s happening in yourself, like where you hold tension or what helps you settle. That awareness is a big part of what makes treatment work, and it builds over time.
I can’t tell you ahead of time how many visits you’ll need, and changes are often subtle at first. This isn’t something I do to you. We work on it together. Not sure it’s for you? Start with a free 15 minute call.
During treatment I often work quietly, because it helps both of us notice what’s changing. I check in as we go, and you can ask a question or pause at any time. At the end, I ask what you noticed. The focus is on your experience, not on what I find.
Free 15 Minute Call