Injured in a Car Accident? Get Assessed Early and Protect Your Recovery
A car accident can leave you feeling shaken—but pain often doesn’t show up right away. Neck stiffness, headaches, back pain, or reduced mobility commonly appear hours or even days later once adrenaline wears off. This delayed pain is normal, but ignoring it can lead to long-term problems.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Winnipeg, early chiropractic care covered by Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) can significantly improve how quickly and completely you recover.
I’m Dr. Notley, a Winnipeg chiropractor with over 16 years of experience treating car accident injuries. As Winnipeg’s only dual-credentialed chiropractor and athletic therapist, I provide evidence-based care while helping patients navigate the MPI process with confidence.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Winnipeg
Your first step after a collision is reporting the accident to MPI within 7 days, even if your injuries feel minor. Reporting opens your claim and gives you a claim number, which allows your chiropractic care to be direct billed to MPI—meaning no upfront costs for approved treatment.You can report your accident by calling 204-985-7000, or toll free 1-800-665-2410, submitting a claim online through MPI, or visiting an MPI Claims Centre or Autopac agent. Be sure to mention any symptoms you’re experiencing, even if they seem mild at the time.
Once your claim is open, the next step is booking a chiropractic assessment as soon as possible. MPI does not require a doctor’s referral to see a chiropractor, which allows you to start care right away. Research consistently shows that early assessment and treatment reduce recovery time and lower the risk of chronic pain.
Common Injuries After a Car Accident
Car accidents place sudden forces on the body that commonly lead to whiplash, low back pain, mid-back or rib pain, muscle strains, and joint dysfunction. These injuries can occur even in low-speed or “minor” collisions.
Many of these problems involve soft tissues and joint movement, which often don’t show up on X-rays. A normal scan does not mean you’re uninjured—it simply means the injury requires a functional, hands-on assessment rather than imaging alone.
How Chiropractic Care Helps After a Collision
Chiropractic care focuses on restoring normal joint movement, reducing muscle tension, improving mobility, and helping your body heal properly after trauma. Under MPI’s Personal Injury Protection Plan (PIPP), chiropractic treatment is covered when it’s medically necessary and related to your accident.
Care is typically direct billed to MPI, and our clinic manages all documentation.
Treatment may include gentle joint mobilization, soft-tissue therapy, rehabilitation exercises, acupuncture for pain relief, and guidance on posture and activity during recovery. Rather than prolonged rest, evidence supports an active, guided recovery approach to prevent long-term issues.
As both a chiropractor and athletic therapist, I address not just pain, but the movement and muscle dysfunction that often cause symptoms to linger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a doctor’s referral?
No. MPI allows direct access to chiropractic care after a car accident.
Will MPI cover my treatment?
Yes. When care is medically necessary and accident-related, it is usually fully covered and direct billed.
What if my accident was minor?
Injury severity doesn’t always match crash severity. Many whiplash injuries occur in low-speed collisions, and symptoms are often delayed.
When should I book?
Ideally within the first week. Early care leads to better outcomes and fewer long-term problems.
Book Your MPI Car Accident Assessment Today
If you’ve been in a car accident in Winnipeg, don’t wait and hope the pain goes away. Early chiropractic care can shorten recovery time, reduce the risk of chronic pain, and help you return to work and daily life faster.
📍 Gelley Chiropractic – St. Vital
12-845 Dakota St | 204-254-0130
📍 Precision Movement & Therapies – Downtown
164 Fort St | 204-943-0751
Your recovery starts with one appointment—take that step today.
References
- Côté P, Wong JJ, Sutton D, et al. The Treatment of Neck Pain–Associated Disorders and Whiplash-Associated Disorders: A Clinical Practice Guideline. European Spine Journal, 2016.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26817412/ - Carroll LJ, Holm LW, Hogg-Johnson S, et al. Course and Prognostic Factors for Neck Pain in Whiplash-Associated Disorders (WAD). Spine, 2008.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18204312/ - Manitoba Public Insurance. Personal Injury Protection Plan (PIPP).
https://www.mpi.mb.ca