No one anticipates getting into a car accident. Then your driving along, obeying the traffic laws and BAM! It is common to feel nervous, anxious, or scared after a car accident. Whether it is just a minor fender bender, or a serious multi-car crash, your body will absorb the force. Even minor injuries could require medical attention, so seeking treatment as soon as possible is essential to prevent the worsening of injuries. Sometimes, you may feel alright immediately after an auto accident but getting checked out is still imperative because some injuries may not show immediately. Chiropractic treatments for car accidents at our office are unique to each individual to get the maximum benefit possible.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Neck, shoulder, and back injuries are some of the most common issues that chiropractors see after a car accident. Whiplash occurs when your cervical spine is abruptly “whipped” backward and then forward, knocking it out of alignment. Along with the whipping effect, comes muscle stiffness and pain in the days and weeks after the accident. Sometimes, when a driver or passenger sees the impact coming, they will tense up their muscles in anticipation. This can cause them to end up with strained back muscles, neck muscles, or shoulder muscles.
Chiropractic Car Accident Treatments
While your chiropractic treatment for car accidents will be customized to match your specific injuries, some of the more common treatment methods include:
Spinal manipulation
Muscle stimulation and/or relaxation therapy
Specific exercises to address the area of injury
Lifestyle advice to address daily activities that cause pain
Every chiropractic treatment plan for car accidents will include a thorough consultation to determine the main issues and the best course of action to find a solution. Since everyone’s body is different, and every car accident is different, the treatment must be customized to the individual to achieve lasting results.
Addressing the Cause
Although the specific treatment protocols will vary, the overriding concept of addressing the cause remains the same. Typically, when someone is experiencing pain as the result of a car accident, the idea is to diminish the pain with pain medication. While this may provide some pain relief, the problem that is causing the pain is probably still there.