The instinct to rest an injury isn't wrong, it's just incomplete. In the first day or two after an acute injury, some protection is genuinely useful. Tissue is inflamed, swollen, and vulnerable, and loading it aggressively can make things worse. The problem is that this short-term caution got generalized into weeks of inactivity for injuries that would have healed faster with some guided movement.

At its core, chiropractic care is a hands-on assessment of how your spine, joints, and nervous system are working together, followed by treatment aimed at restoring movement where it's restricted. Here is what actually happens on the table, and how to tell whether it might be worth a look for you.

What Is a “Pinched Nerve”? The term pinched nerve is commonly used to describe nerve irritation or compression, often referred to medically as radiculopathy when it involves the spine. This can occur when:

Why You Might Not Feel It Right Away Immediately after an accident, adrenaline and stress hormones flood the body. They help you stay alert and focused — but they also mask pain. Once those chemicals start to settle (usually over the next 24–72 hours), stiffness, soreness, and even headaches can start to show up. This delay is completely normal and part of how your nervous system and immune system respond to injury.

Everyone should get checked by a health professional. Even if injuries seem minor, symptoms like headaches, neck pain, or stiffness often appear later.➡ Tip: Did you know you don't need to see a doctor to have your first assessment? It can sometimes be challenging to see a doctor quickly. In Alberta, you can also see a chiropractor or physiotherapist for your initial assessment — no doctor’s referral required.