How do I know if I need a physical therapist, massage therapist, chiropractor, or acupuncture?

I was hit by a car months ago while I was riding my bicycle, and I still have severe pain in my neck and shoulder. How do I know which type of treatment to use? I had X-Rays taken, nothing is broken. Also, how do I know who will actually help me? Any web sites I can look at or anyone with experiences to share? Thank you!

There is also osteopath which is more easy on the body than chiropractor.
Chiropractor would not be my first choice, from experience, it is manipulating the area of body, and can be harsh.

Physical therapy will help you to get movement back, with exercises and a programme

See if you can find something called neurolink, it is amazing used in conjunction with an osteopath.

You can also find someone who will offer massage first before osteopath

Massage will help relax and balance the body, the neck area is quite a consideration for massage, so don't go getting anybody to "rub" that area.
You will need more than this for your injuries.

Ask around for referrals from friends, neighbours people you trust, and talk to them about who they have been to, also.
Ask your doctor, as he should be able to give you some guidance.
Or ask at a emergency and accident hospital, they may have several different therapist there for you to choose from after getting some sound advice.

You are right to find what is suitable for your injury, as that is all part of the healing process.

Also are you eligible for accident compensation, this may have a steps to recovery type of plan, for your injury.

I trust I you will get the help you need, take it easy, all will be well

I think it's personal preference. Some people swear by chiropractors. Massages are nice too, but probably only give temporary relief (and isn't covered by insurance). Maybe find out what your insurance WILL cover & go that route. Good luck!

I'd go with a general practitioner, jack of all trades and master of a few of them. He/She would be more apt to correctly direct to a proper specialist if required.

I have tried all of them. The only one that helped me after a car crash was the massage therapist. I thought the chiro would kill me, and the PT was horrible. It turns out I had severe muscle strain in my neck and shoulders, as well as my lower back. The massage was great ! I see them twice a month for an hour each, and for at least 10 days I am free of pain.
I would start out with my regular doctor, see what his/her ideas are. Perhaps you can get a prescription for all of them, and try them out..this will also help with the payments.
hope this helped.

This is a personal decision, but the standard of care would typically be physical therapy.

Massage therapy would also be appropriate if you only had muscular type of pain.

If you are having any neurological symptoms such as pain that radiates into the upper extremity or numbness/tingling, weakness, you really need to be seeing a PT or a DC.

If your shoulder has a loss of movement or functioning, you really should be seeing at least the PT. However, sometimes the best outcomes are when practicioners work together. I've seen many people who supplemented their PT with either chiropractic or massage therapy.

If this is an injury case where the other party is covering the medical expenses, and it has not reached settlement, then you have every right to find an approach that will help you heal from your injuries. If your case is already settled, then your options could unfortunately diminish based on availability of funds and/or insurance coverage for different services. Here is the route I would suggest, especially if the the case is still open to your favor. Visit a chiropractor (D.C.) or an osteopath (D.O) for an overall evaluation of your injuries (since these are the physicians). Talk with her/him about using different therapies to assist in your recovery, listing PT, AcP & MT as your preferred options. See if there are people that the physician would recommend. They may even have the therapies available in their own office, making it much easier to coordinate your recovery routine. All of these therapies by law should be paid through coverages available through motor vehicle insurance policies if it is deemed medically necessary by the physician for the recovery of your injuries caused by the insured. If this is becoming a more complicated case, then seeking out a personal injury attorney to handle your case would also be advised. The attorney should only get paid if your medical expenses are covered and an additional settlement amount is reached with the other party. If however, the case is settled and you have health insurance to help cover the cost of therapies, I would still suggest visiting one of the physicians first since health insurance coverage should be available for these. Beyond that, it depends on your individual health insurance policy, whether or not the therapies would be covered.

As far as knowing which one to use without the money route being considered, it all depends on trial-and-error, meaning each healthcare provider will have his/her limitations on how to help someone. The best approach is to combine a few if you can, then you will be able to narrow down which approach can help you with certain aspects of your recovery and maintenance. I wish you well and hope for an efficient, speedy recovery.