What to Expect on Your First Visit With a Denver Car Crash Doctor

If you’ve been in a car accident in Denver and you’re weighing whether to see a chiropractor, you’re probably wondering: what to expect after a car accident chiropractor visit? Maybe you’ve seen videos on social media of aggressive neck-cracking or “roller tables,” and you’re understandably nervous. Or maybe you just don’t know what the process looks like—and that uncertainty is keeping you from getting the care you need.

Here’s the short answer: Your first visit after a car accident is about assessment, not treatment. At Injury Recovery Center, led by Dr. Ron Losiewicz, DC, the first appointment is designed to listen, evaluate, and build trust—not to rush you onto a table or perform adjustments before you’re ready. This article walks you through every step of what happens during that first visit with a Denver car crash doctor, including how we decide if gentle traction therapy is appropriate for your specific injury.

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What Happens During Your First Visit After a Car Accident

The moment you walk into Injury Recovery Center for the first time, the process begins with one goal: understanding you and your injury. This isn’t a 10-minute assembly-line experience. It’s a deliberate, methodical process designed to build a complete picture of what happened to your body during the crash.

Before You Arrive: What to Bring

To make your first visit as productive as possible, bring:

• Your driver’s license and auto insurance information (specifically your auto policy, not health insurance)
• Any police or accident reports you’ve received
• Contact information for your attorney (if you’ve retained one—many of our patients have)
• A list of symptoms you’ve noticed since the crash, even if they seem minor or unrelated
• Any imaging (X-rays, MRI reports) you’ve already had done

If you don’t have all of this, that’s okay. We’ll work with what you have and help guide you through the documentation process.

The Intake Conversation (Not Just Paperwork)

Yes, there are forms to fill out—but the real intake happens face-to-face. Dr. Ron or a member of the team will sit down with you and ask detailed questions about the accident itself:

• What position were you sitting in?
• Were you looking forward, or were you turned?
• Did you see the impact coming, or were you caught off guard
• Where did the other vehicle strike your car?
• Did your airbags deploy?
• How soon after the crash did symptoms appear?

These questions aren’t just for the chart. The biomechanics of your crash—speed, angle, awareness, bracing—directly influence the type and severity of soft tissue injuries you may have sustained. A rear-end collision at 15 mph, where you didn’t see it coming, can cause significant whiplash, even if your car looks fine.

This conversation also addresses the emotional and logistical stress many car accident patients carry. You may be confused about insurance, worried about medical bills, or anxious about what comes next. Part of the intake is simply listening and providing clarity.

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We Start with a Detailed History and Exam

After the intake, we move into the clinical portion of the first visit: the history and physical examination. This is the foundation of everything that follows.

Why We Ask So Many Questions

Dr. Ron will ask about your symptoms in specific detail:

• Where exactly do you feel pain? (Neck, shoulders, lower back, jaw, head?)
• Is the pain sharp, dull, burning, or achy?
• Does it radiate down your arms or legs?
• Are you experiencing headaches, dizziness, brain fog, or vision changes?
• Do you have numbness, tingling, or weakness anywhere?
• How is your sleep? Your concentration? Your mood?

These questions help differentiate between muscular pain, nerve involvement, concussion symptoms, and more serious injuries that may require imaging or specialist referral.

This is also where Dr. Ron’s philosophy becomes clear: “Your file is second. You come first.” The focus is on understanding your experience, not filling out a template.

What the Physical Exam Actually Involves

The physical exam typically includes:

• Range of motion testing: How far can you turn your head, bend forward, or rotate your spine? Limited or painful movement points to soft tissue damage or joint restriction.
• Orthopedic and neurological tests: These are gentle, hands-on tests that assess nerve function, reflexes, muscle strength, and joint stability. Nothing invasive, nothing painful.
• Palpation (manual examination): Dr. Ron will feel along your spine, neck, and shoulders to identify areas of tenderness, muscle spasm, or misalignment.

If there’s any concern about fracture, disc herniation, or ligament damage, Dr. Ron may recommend imaging (X-ray or MRI) or refer you to an orthopedist or neurologist. This is part of the coordinated, referral-centered model that defines the practice. Chiropractic care is not a standalone solution—it’s one piece of a comprehensive recovery strategy, and we start with a detailed history and exam to determine the right path forward.

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Concussion Screening: Why It Matters After Every Crash

One of the most important—and most overlooked—parts of a first visit after a car accident is concussion screening.

Many people assume that if they didn’t hit their head or lose consciousness, they don’t have a concussion. That’s not accurate. The rapid acceleration and deceleration of a car crash can cause your brain to move inside your skull, resulting in a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) even without direct head impact.

Symptoms of a concussion can include:

• Headaches or pressure
• Dizziness or balance issues
• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Irritability, anxiety, or mood changes
• Sleep disturbances

The VITAL CNS Neurocognitive Test

At Injury Recovery Center, Dr. Ron uses VITAL CNS, a computerized neurocognitive testing system that’s also used by neurologists and concussion centers. This test assesses reaction time, memory, attention, and processing speed—providing objective data about your brain function.

The test takes about 20-30 minutes and is administered on a tablet or computer. It’s not invasive, and it doesn’t involve any physical discomfort. But the results are critical: they establish a baseline and help determine whether you need referral to a concussion specialist, neurologist, or additional imaging.

This test is not a formality. Undiagnosed concussions can lead to prolonged symptoms, complications with recovery, and challenges in legal and insurance proceedings. If the test reveals deficits, Dr. Ron will coordinate appropriate care and ensure you’re not cleared for treatment that could worsen your symptoms.

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How We Decide If Treatment Is Right for You

Here’s where many patients feel the most anxiety—and where the Injury Recovery Center model is fundamentally different from what you may have seen on social media.

The “Education Before Adjustment” Philosophy

No treatment happens on the first visit without your full understanding and consent. Dr. Ron’s approach centers on education before adjustment. His philosophy is simple: “You’re the boss. It’s your body.”

If the exam and concussion screening indicate that chiropractic care is appropriate, Dr. Ron will explain:

• What he’s recommending
• Why he’s recommending it
• What it will feel like
• What the expected outcome is
• What your alternatives are

You will never be rushed into an adjustment, pressured onto a traction table, or made to feel like you “have to” proceed. The practice is built on trust, and trust takes time.

How We Decide If Traction Is Right for You

One of the most common questions from new patients is about the “roller table”—technically called intersegmental traction therapy (IST).

IST is a gentle, passive therapy that uses a table with rolling cylinders beneath the surface. As you lie face-up on the table, the rollers slowly move up and down your spine, creating a wave-like motion. The purpose is to:

• Increase spinal mobility and flexibility
• Reduce muscle tension
• Promote circulation and nutrient flow to injured tissues
• Support the healing process without manual force

What it feels like: Most patients describe it as relaxing—similar to a massage. It’s not aggressive, and it doesn’t “crack” or “pop” anything. The table doesn’t stretch or decompress your spine the way a traction machine would. It simply encourages gentle, rhythmic movement.

Is it automatic? No. We decide if traction is appropriate based on your specific injury, exam findings, and symptom presentation. If your muscles are in severe spasm, if you have acute inflammation, or if you have certain contraindications, IST may not be used—or we may recommend gentle intersegmental traction later in your care plan once initial symptoms have calmed.

You can decline IST at any time. It’s an option, not a requirement. Learn more about intersegmental traction therapy here.

Manual Adjustments: Slow, Gentle, and Always Optional

If manual chiropractic adjustments are recommended, they will be explained in advance. Dr. Ron uses hands-on manual adjustments only—no instruments, no drop tables, no high-velocity “grip it and rip it” techniques.

Adjustments are targeted to specific areas of restriction or misalignment identified during the exam. The goal is to restore normal joint motion, reduce nerve irritation, and support the body’s natural healing process.

Important: If you’re not comfortable with adjustments, you can say no. If you want to wait until your second or third visit to build more trust, that’s fine. Dr. Ron has said it himself: “We take baby steps and build trust first.”

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Your Personalized Recovery Plan (Not a Cookie-Cutter Template)

By the end of your first visit, Dr. Ron will outline a proposed treatment plan tailored to your specific injury. This may include:

• Manual chiropractic adjustments (if appropriate)
• Intersegmental traction therapy
• Therapeutic exercises to restore strength and mobility
• Shockwave therapy for persistent soft tissue pain (introduced later if needed)
• Referrals to physical therapy, neurology, orthopedics, or mental health support (for PTSD or anxiety after the crash)

The plan is not set in stone. It evolves as you heal. Some patients need frequent visits in the first few weeks, then taper down. Others need more conservative care from the start. There is no one-size-fits-all protocol.

Dr. Ron also coordinates closely with personal injury attorneys, insurance adjusters, and other medical providers to ensure that your care is documented appropriately and that you have the support you need throughout the recovery and claims process.

What To Do Next

If you’ve been in a car accident in the Denver area—whether it was last week or last month—and you’re dealing with pain, stiffness, headaches, or confusion about what to do next, we can help.

Injury Recovery Center specializes exclusively in car crash injuries. We serve patients across Lakewood, Englewood, Aurora, and the greater Denver metro. Dr. Ron Losiewicz, DC, brings decades of experience in post-accident care, concussion diagnostics, and medical-legal coordination.

Your first visit is about clarity, trust, and a plan—not pressure.

Call us today to schedule your consultation, or to speak with Dr. Ron directly.
Three convenient Denver-area locations in Lakewood, Englewood, and Aurora.

You’re not alone in this. Let’s take the first step together.

Frequently Asked Questions