The immediate shock & horror of a serious car accident is quite the burden, but you can also be left with ongoing pain that makes everyday tasks that much harder.
Once you have received immediate medical treatment to rule out life threatening injuries, it’s time to assess longer term care & healing. How does a chiropractor factor in? Let’s go over the details
How do car accidents affect the body?
Most people do not realize that even an acute or minor car accident can lead to soft tissue injuries (such as muscle strains, ligaments sprains, bruising, edema, muscle/ligament tears etc.) If left untreated, this can lead to chronic arthritic issues (arthritis). Any type of trauma, no matter how big or small, takes a toll on the body.
Any time your body is jerked in a violent unexpected motion, such as the high impact of a car accident, the possibility for injury is there. During an automobile collision, the muscles, ligaments, and facet joints that help support the spine can become inflamed and irritated, causing pain. Chiropractic manipulations of the spine are used to restore mobility to joints restricted by a tissue injury. Ligaments are what help connect bones together. If these become stretched out, like a loose rubber band for example, then this leads to pain.
Car Accident Injuries Can Remain Hidden for Months
Not very uncommon, but in some cases, car injuries may remain hidden for months. Back and neck pain is the first sign that your unseemingly hurt body was in in fact hurt. The problem is that the longer you delay a full check-up, the chances for a full recovery become reduced.
Find A Chiropractor That Explicitly States Car Accident Expertise
Always prefer to visit an auto injury chiropractor as soon as possible to address body pain issues. The quicker you seek out care, the quicker you will feel like yourself again, and you can begin to move on with your life.
How can a chiropractor treat car accident injuries?
A soft tissue injury takes time to heal, and it is not unusual for a patient to see a chiropractor for weeks, if not months, after injury. This is because chiropractors treat their patients through conservative treatments designed to promote self-healing through rest, physical therapy, and spinal manipulations.
At Thrive Chiropractic & Wellness, we help you through the entire process. Here’s what you can expect when you visit us:
- Thorough Health Evaluation – our primary focus is to provide quality care that gets you to feeling better immediately. We will take the following steps:
- Get a thorough history of your health, pain, & the vehicle accident
Perform an orthopedic & neurological exam - Take x-rays
- Establish treatment plan
- Insurance & Representation – We understand how inconveniencing a car accident can be, especially when you’re in pain. We go the extra mile to help you contact your car insurance provider and get you appointed with the right attorney to handle any legal matters. If this is something you’ve already taken care of, not a problem – we are simply here to help if you need us.
- Implement Treatment Plan – Now that we have established a treatment plan, it’s time to implement the strategy set in place to get you feeling better. Each patient and scenario is different which is why you’ll receive a customized treatment plan just for you.
We will use a variety of different chiropractic techniques during your adjustments along with massage therapy.
It can take up to 48 hours to feel the full extent of soft tissue injuries & even longer to find common movements that may aggravate the healing process. If you aren’t experiencing pain yet doesn’t mean you won’t. Chiropractic is a non-invasive, natural treatment method that can be utilized by patients as an alternative to costly, potentially hazardous & invasive surgeries designed to alleviate similar conditions.
It May Be Time To Reach Out
If you have previously suffered any injuries or have a chronic health condition, it is helpful to bring any medical records or X-Rays you have. The information will provide your chiropractor with a more in-depth look and may save time in devising a treatment plan. Additionally, your chiropractor may request that you get a new set of X-Rays so that they can see your most recent status.
Be prepared to answer questions regarding the type of pain you are experiencing, how long it has lasted, and lifestyle questions. All of these things will help your chiropractor find the underlying cause of your pain and develop the best treatment plan for your unique needs. Chiropractic care is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Call Thrive today and schedule your appointment!
