How soon after a Car Accident should I see my Chiropractor?

No one ever wants to be in a car accident, because it is generally horrific experiences even left with minor bruise and scratches.  Many people who survive car accidents also deal with emotional damages on top of many physical illnesses. Some people suffer from a mental fog, making it hard for them to think or focus. In addition to the emotional damages, oftentimes vehicular accidents can even cause physical damages that may not present any signs or symptoms until several days after the accident. In America, vehicular accidents are one of the leading causes of spine injuries, and also responsible for more than 35% of spinal injuries every year. Some injuries, including broken bones and head trauma, are easy to diagnose. Some people who did not suffer serious injuries tend to leave the scene of an accident thinking they do not need any immediate medical attention.

Common Car Accident Injuries

The spine is not built to withstand the impact of a car accident. It is a very complex structure of the human body, but it is also delicate.  Unfortunately, injuries in the neck and back are common during car accidents. The accident impact strains the ligaments and muscles in the back, and the facet joints bear the brunt of the force. This can result in several injuries, including whiplash. Several vehicular accidents studies have shown that whiplash is caused by an abrupt backward and forward jerking motion of the head. Whiplash can occur after a car accident, fall, sports injury, or another sudden jolt of the head, which causes soft tissue injury.  The neck and the spine served as the most common areas affected by whiplash. In the United Kingdom, insurance claims statistics show that whiplash ranks as one of the most common injuries. An estimated 450,000 people filed for an insurance claim for whiplash in 2010, accounting for 19% of every driver's premium. Symptoms of whiplash may not surface as an initial health problem after a car accident. When the symptoms begin they seem to be unrelated to the initial accident.  However, people who experience whiplash symptoms can appear directly after the injury but often are not felt until days after the injury. These symptoms include:

•    Difficulty concentrating or remembering
•    Dizziness
•    Headaches
•    Irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue
•    Low back pain
•    Neck pain and stiffness
•    Pain in the shoulder or between the shoulder blades
•    Pain or numbness in the arm and/or hand

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Seeking an appointment with a Chiropractor immediately after the accident plays an important part to have a quick recovery from the said injuries. Before a chiropractic therapy, a patient evaluation and x-ray are considered to determine if there are serious injuries to the neck or spine. A chiropractor can help put the spine in line while relieving the pain and triggers the body to heal naturally right away. Extensive research shows that minor injuries can become major problems if they are not properly addressed. Many people who seek chiropractic treatment suffered from previous traumas that are not always evident at first. In some cases, a symptom of whiplash tends to take weeks to present symptoms and might even continue for years, especially if untreated. The main goal of chiropractic treatment is to protect against unforeseen long-term effects while ensuring the best possible chances of recovery.

Early Chiropractic Care Prevents Chronic Pain

Over the last 30 years, countless studies have found those car injury patients who got early treatment that primarily focused on mobilizing the injured area had faster recovery time.  Some even reported to have fewer residual symptoms from the crash. Chiropractic adjustment gets the joints in your spine moving on their optimal position, preventing chronic pain in the future. The treatment also focuses on the positive side of healing. A chiropractor emphasis on the possible activities that the patient can do rather than concentrate on restricted movements. As a result, it yields more success stories of faster recovery and disability prevention.

The above blog post How soon after a Car Accident should I see my Chiropractor? is courtesy of DynamicWellness

source https://www.dynamicwellnesschiro.com/chiropractic-care-car-accident/