Car Accident Chiropractor in Tempe, AZ
Whiplash, disc injuries, and soft tissue trauma rarely show up on an ER X-ray — but they don't disappear on their own. Dr. Steven Enriquez has helped Tempe drivers recover from collision injuries for over 20 years.
Call (480) 491-7241If You've Been in an Accident, the Clock Starts Now
Whether you were rear-ended on the Loop 101, sideswiped on Mill Avenue, or hit by a distracted driver near ASU, the moments after a crash are disorienting. You're sore, shaken, and probably wondering if you're hurt enough to see a doctor — or hoping it'll just work itself out.
Here's the part most people don't realize: the absence of pain in the first 24 hours doesn't mean the absence of injury. Adrenaline and stress hormones suppress pain signals for hours, sometimes days, after a collision. By the time the soreness shows up, the soft tissue damage, joint restriction, and nerve irritation have already taken hold.
At Global Chiropractic in Tempe, we've seen it all — from minor fender-benders that turned into chronic neck pain to high-impact collisions that needed comprehensive disc care. Dr. Enriquez evaluates exactly what was injured, builds a recovery plan around your specific case, and coordinates with your insurance or attorney so you can focus on healing.
Arizona insurance adjusters scrutinize delays in care. Seeking evaluation within 72 hours of your accident links your symptoms directly to the collision — protecting both your health and your claim. Same-day appointments available.
Why "The ER Cleared Me" Isn't the Whole Story
Emergency rooms are designed for one job: rule out injuries that could kill you in the next few hours. Once they've confirmed there's no fracture, no internal bleeding, and no head trauma, their work is done — and you're sent home, often with a muscle relaxer and instructions to rest.
The problem is that the most common car accident injuries are also the ones an ER isn't built to find.
What the ER Doesn't Assess
- Joint mobility and spinal alignment
- Soft tissue damage (muscles, ligaments, tendons)
- Disc compression and bulging
- Nerve irritation and impingement
- Postural shifts caused by impact
- Long-term healing trajectory
What We Evaluate at Global Chiropractic
- Full spinal and postural assessment
- Soft tissue injury identification
- Disc and joint function testing
- Neurological screening for nerve involvement
- Range of motion and biomechanical exam
- Personalized recovery roadmap
Common Auto Accident Injuries We Treat
Every collision is different, and so is every body's response to it. These are the conditions we most often see and treat in patients who come to us after a car accident in Tempe:
For disc-related injuries, we often pair adjustments with non-surgical spinal decompression therapy to relieve pressure on compressed nerves and restore disc health.
What Happens When You Come In
The first visit isn't about jumping into treatment — it's about understanding exactly what happened to your body in the collision, and what it needs to recover fully.
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Call Us Today — Same-Day Appointments Available
Pick up the phone and tell us what happened. We'll get you in as soon as possible, often the same day.
Free Consultation & Accident History
Dr. Enriquez sits down with you to understand the mechanics of your collision, your symptoms, and any prior medical care you've had.
Thorough Physical & Neurological Exam
A complete biomechanical and neurological assessment identifies the structures that were actually injured — not just where you feel pain.
Personalized Recovery Plan
You'll receive a clear, written plan with realistic timelines, recommended modalities, and what to expect at each phase of recovery.
Treatment Begins
Chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, decompression, and rehab exercises — combined and sequenced based on your specific case.
We Handle the Paperwork
Insurance forms, attorney correspondence, progress notes for your claim — we coordinate everything behind the scenes so you can focus on healing.
How Payment Works After a Car Accident
Cost is one of the biggest reasons people delay care after an accident — and one of the most common reasons recoverable injuries become permanent ones. The reality is that most accident patients can begin treatment without paying anything upfront, depending on which of the following apply to your situation:
At-Fault Driver's Insurance
If another driver caused the crash, we can bill their liability insurance directly and wait for payment. Many of our patients pay nothing out of pocket through this route.
MedPay / PIP Coverage
Your own auto policy may include Medical Payments coverage that applies regardless of fault. We'll verify your benefits before treatment starts.
Attorney Lien Arrangement
If you're working with a personal injury attorney, we can treat you on a lien — meaning your bills get paid out of your settlement, with nothing required from you upfront.
Health Insurance & Self-Pay
We accept most major health insurance plans, and we offer transparent self-pay options for patients whose coverage doesn't apply or doesn't fit.
Why Tempe Drivers Trust Global Chiropractic
Car Accident Chiropractic Care FAQ
How soon after my accident should I come in?
The first 72 hours are ideal — that's when injuries respond best to treatment, and when insurance adjusters most readily connect your symptoms to the accident. That said, if your collision was last week, last month, or longer ago, recovery is still possible. We adjust the treatment plan to where you are now.
What if I already went to the emergency room?
Going to the ER was the right move — it ruled out the most serious immediate dangers. But ERs aren't designed to evaluate joint function, soft tissue damage, or disc compression, which are exactly the injuries a collision is most likely to cause. A chiropractic evaluation picks up where the ER left off.
Do I need an attorney before I start treatment?
Not at all. Many of our patients begin treatment before consulting an attorney, and many resolve their cases without one. If you do decide to hire an attorney later, we'll coordinate with them directly. If you'd like a referral to a trusted personal injury attorney in the Tempe area, we're happy to make one.
What if my accident was my fault — or no one was at fault?
Your own auto policy may still cover your care through MedPay or Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which apply regardless of fault. If those don't apply, we accept most major health insurance and offer self-pay options. We'll go through everything during your free consultation.
I feel mostly okay. Is it really worth coming in?
Yes — and finding nothing serious is a perfectly good outcome of a visit. It gives you documented confirmation that your spine came through the collision intact, which is valuable both for your peace of mind and for your insurance file. The cost of an evaluation that finds nothing is an hour of your time. The cost of skipping it when something was wrong can be years of preventable pain.
Will the treatment hurt?
No. Chiropractic care after an accident is designed to relieve pain, not add to it. Adjustments are gentle and precise, and modalities like soft tissue therapy and decompression are typically experienced as relaxing rather than painful. If anything ever feels uncomfortable during a session, you tell us and we adjust immediately.
How many visits will I need?
That depends entirely on the severity of your injuries, how long it's been since the accident, and how your body responds to treatment. After your initial evaluation, Dr. Enriquez will give you a clear estimate of treatment duration and frequency. We're not in the business of stretching out care unnecessarily.
Do you speak Spanish?
Sí. Our care coordinator Teresa is fully bilingual, and we have Spanish-speaking team members throughout the practice. From your first phone call through your final follow-up, you'll be understood and supported in the language you're most comfortable in.
Office Hours
| Monday | 9:00am–12:30pm, 3:00pm–6:30pm |
| Tuesday | 3:00pm–6:30pm |
| Wednesday | 9:00am–12:30pm, 3:00pm–6:30pm |
| Thursday | 3:00pm–6:30pm |
| Friday | 9:00am–12:30pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
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A Team That Treats You Like Family
Recovering from a car accident isn't just a physical process — it's emotional, financial, and often legal. From the moment you call, you're working with a team that genuinely cares about getting you through all of it.
Our bilingual front desk, experienced medical assistants, and Dr. Enriquez himself have built a practice culture around what most of our patients tell us they were missing elsewhere: feeling heard, feeling unrushed, and feeling like a person — not a case number.
Don't Wait — The First 72 Hours Matter Most
Whether your accident happened this morning or last week, the sooner you get evaluated, the better your recovery and the stronger your insurance documentation. Call Global Chiropractic in Tempe today to schedule your free consultation with Dr. Enriquez.
Schedule My Free Consultation (480) 491-7241