If you use holistic or alternative medicine to treat your injuries after an accident, you may be wondering whether you can recover compensation for those costs.
Generally, the party at fault for the accident should cover all your damages including holistic treatment, if that is what helps you recover. Unfortunately, the insurance company may push back on covering the costs of alternative medicine.
Below, we discuss what legal options may be available to you when pursuing compensation for holistic medicine costs after an accident.
Call our knowledgeable South Bend auto accident lawyers today to discuss your claim during a free consultation. We also do not charge you anything while we work on your case.
What is Holistic Medicine?
Holistic medicine, also known as complementary or alternative medicine, takes a comprehensive approach to healthcare. It recognizes that the body and mind are interconnected and that addressing the underlying causes of health issues are essential for achieving overall well-being.
Some common methods used in holistic medicine include the following:
- Acupuncture – An ancient Chinese practice that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. It is based on the belief that the body has a vital energy called Qi (pronounced “chee”) that flows along pathways known as meridians. By stimulating specific points, acupuncture is thought to restore the flow of Qi, promoting healing and addressing various health conditions.
- Chiropractic care – Chiropractors focus on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system. They use hands-on spinal manipulations and adjustments to realign the spine, relieve pain and improve overall bodily function. Chiropractic care is commonly used to treat musculoskeletal conditions, such as back pain, neck pain and headaches.
- Massage therapy – Involves the manipulation of soft tissues in the body, including muscles, tendons and ligaments. Various techniques are used to apply pressure, knead muscles, and promote relaxation. Massage therapy can help reduce muscle tension, alleviate pain, improve circulation and promote overall relaxation and well-being.
- Dry needling – Dry needling is a technique used to treat musculoskeletal conditions and pain. It involves the insertion of thin needles into trigger points or tight bands of muscle. The aim is to stimulate the release of tension and promote healing in the affected areas. Dry needling can be beneficial for relieving muscle pain, improving range of motion, and enhancing overall muscular function.
- Cupping – A therapy that involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. The cups can be made of various materials, such as glass or silicone. The suction draws blood flow to the specific area, promoting circulation and relieving muscle tension. Cupping is often used to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation and improve overall well-being.
What Are the Benefits of Holistic Medicine?
It is important not to completely disregard traditional medicine. Instead, a combination of both approaches may be beneficial. This dual approach can strengthen the validity of your claim, as it can demonstrate your commitment to comprehensive treatment and make it more challenging for insurance companies to deny compensation.
Choosing to incorporate holistic treatments alongside traditional medicine also allows you to explore a broader range of options. While traditional medicine, such as surgery, may be necessary in some cases, holistic medicine may still provide valuable benefits. Even if the specific holistic treatments do not yield the desired results, engaging in holistic medicine demonstrates your dedication to exploring all available non-surgical alternatives. This can alleviate any reservations you may have had about undergoing surgery, knowing that you have thoroughly exhausted your non-surgical options.
When you combine traditional and holistic approaches, it shows that you are taking an active role in your recovery and care about your overall well-being. This not only strengthens your compensation claim but also demonstrates your genuine effort to explore different treatments for the best health outcome.
Will Liability Insurance Cover Holistic Medicine?
Generally, liability insurance covers all costs related to bodily injury or property damage caused by the at fault party. However, some liability insurance companies may try and deny coverage for holistic or alternative medicine.
Even if the insurance company does not deny compensating the costs of holistic medicine, they will require supporting evidence to establish the necessity and reasonableness of alternative medical expenses.
How Can I Prove Holistic Medicine Expenses Are Necessary?
Proving the necessity of holistic medical expenses in an accident claim requires gathering supporting evidence to show the potential effectiveness of treating your injuries.
First, it may be in your best interest to get a medical opinion from a traditional medicine doctor. This helps show the insurance company you are taking steps to get appropriate treatment. If you disagree with the findings of the traditional doctor, then you can move on to an alternative medical doctor.
It is important that you seek out a qualified holistic medical practitioner who can diagnose your injuries and provide a treatment plan. Once the treatment begins, you should keep a detailed record of what your expenses are for and how the treatment is helping you recover.
Need Help With Your Claim? Call Us Today
If you are thinking about seeking out holistic treatment options for your accident injuries, our attorneys may be able to help you recover the costs of those treatments as part of your compensation claim.
We can discuss your legal options during a free consultation. There is no risk, as we do not charge you anything up front.
Call (844) 678-1800 today to learn more.
