Auto Accident Care in Novato

What is auto accident care?

Auto accident care is a focused approach to evaluating and treating the musculoskeletal injuries — primarily to the spine, muscles, and ligaments — that result from vehicle collisions. Even crashes at moderate speeds generate enough force to strain the cervical spine (causing whiplash), compress spinal joints, and damage the soft tissue of the neck, back, and shoulders. Chiropractic care is a well-established, conservative, drug-free option for these injuries.

At our Novato clinic, Dr. Douglas DeSalvo combines thorough injury evaluation, gentle drug-free treatment, and detailed medical documentation into a single coordinated plan — so you recover fully and your insurance or legal file is complete.

What to expect

Your first appointment is a comprehensive post-accident evaluation. Dr. DeSalvo takes a detailed history of the collision, your symptoms, and how your condition has changed since the crash. He then performs orthopedic and neurological testing, evaluates your range of motion, and checks the spinal joints, muscles, and ligaments for signs of injury. If imaging is needed to rule out fractures or identify disc damage, we’ll coordinate that immediately.

From there, you receive a specific care plan tailored to your injuries — including the number of visits, the techniques we’ll use, and the functional milestones that mark your progress. Typical treatment combines:

• Gentle chiropractic adjustments to restore motion to restricted or subluxated spinal joints
• Soft-tissue therapy — including myofascial release — to release muscle guarding and address ligament damage
• Corrective rehab exercises to rebuild the deep stabilizing muscles of the neck and back
• Modalities such as electrotherapy or laser therapy to reduce acute inflammation

Every visit is documented with objective findings and functional progress notes. If you’re working with an attorney or an insurance adjuster, we can provide a narrative report summarizing your injuries, treatment, and response to care.

Who it helps

Auto accident care is appropriate for anyone who has been in a motor vehicle collision and is experiencing — or wants to rule out — musculoskeletal injury. You’re a good candidate if you have:

• Neck pain or stiffness after a crash — even if it started a day or two later
• Whiplash — pain, tightness, or restricted motion in the cervical spine
• Back pain (upper, mid, or lower) following the collision
• Headaches or migraines that began after the accident
• General soreness, muscle spasms, or limited mobility that appeared in the days after impact
• A recent crash with no symptoms yet — early documentation protects both your health and your claim

In California, your auto insurance and any personal injury claim can help cover treatment for these injuries. We review your coverage before your first visit so you know exactly where you stand — see our personal injury care page for how Med Pay, third-party claims, and attorney liens work.

Why choose DeSalvo Chiropractic

Patients from Novato and nearby North Bay communities such as San Rafael and Petaluma come to us for post-accident care because we treat the injury completely — not just the pain. Dr. DeSalvo provides the thorough exam, drug-free treatment, and professional documentation that accident patients need, and he coordinates with your insurance company or attorney so you can focus on getting better.

Ready to be seen? Our New Patient Special makes your first visit easy, and you can book an appointment online in under a minute — or call us directly if you’d like to discuss your situation first.