If pain disrupts your routine after an auto accident, make an appointment to see a chiropractic doctor by calling (718) 275-1313.
You see it coming at the last second: another vehicle is going to hit yours, so you tense up and brace for impact. Or perhaps you don’t see it coming at all, and another car rear-ends yours, snapping your head forward and back without warning. Either way, there’s a good chance you’ll have neck pain due to the crash, but chiropractic for neck pain can help reduce the discomfort and allow you to enjoy your normal activities.
Neck pain is common after even minor car accidents; in fact, studies show that almost 850,000 people experience whiplash or other neck injuries in traffic accidents per year. Seeing a neck pain chiropractor after you get emergency care to treat acute injuries like cuts, bruises, or broken bones, can help improve your quality of life and reduce pain from a neck injury.
Do You Need to See a Chiropractor for Neck Pain?
Not all car accidents are catastrophic, Hollywood stunt-level incidents that require life-saving treatment for vehicle occupants. Minor fender-benders are more common, and many people actually refuse treatment at the scene, thinking that since they don’t have any immediate signs of injury, they escaped the incident unscathed. However, what they don’t realize is that injuries can take hours, days, or even months to show up, resulting in debilitating pain, reduced range of motion, and various life-disrupting symptoms.
Even seemingly minor accidents can affect your entire musculoskeletal system when the impact causes spinal misalignment. In the neck, in particular, spinal misalignment can result in pain in the surrounding muscles and tendons since the misaligned vertebrae put pressure on nerves and cause inflammation and tension. Dislocated spinal discs can affect your entire nervous system, increasing pain and causing additional symptoms like dizziness and headaches.
Seeking chiropractic care after a collision, even if you don’t currently have pain, allows the doctor to identify any potential trouble spots and make chiropractic adjustments to realign your spine to prevent symptoms from developing. If you’re already living with symptoms, chiropractic for neck pain can help relieve the dysfunctions in your musculoskeletal system that affect your well-being.
What Happens During Chiropractic Treatment for Neck Pain?
When you see a chiropractor in Queens, NY, for help managing neck pain after a car accident, treatment starts with a full evaluation. After discussing your symptoms and reviewing the circumstances of the crash, the doctor performs an exam to test your range of motion and evaluate your spinal alignment and may order imaging tests for a better look at the source of your pain. The diagnosis guides the treatment plan, which may include multiple techniques to realign your spine and reduce pain.
Cervical Manipulation
This is what most people think of when they think of chiropractic treatments, and it’s the most common treatment option for neck pain. Studies show that chiropractors almost always manipulate the spine during treatment. The doctor uses gentle manipulation to identify misaligned neck joints and put them back into the proper position. In some cases, the doctor may use instruments to assist with this process.
Therapeutic Massage
Massage can help reduce muscle tension and restore flexibility to alleviate neck pain. Depending on your pain level, the doctor may prescribe deep tissue massage or trigger point therapy to target specific pain points.
Spinal Decompression
Alleviating pressure on the spinal nerves can help reduce pain. Spinal decompression gently stretches your neck and back muscles to take the pressure off while realigning your spine and strengthening and stabilizing neck muscles so you can move normally without tension or discomfort.
The Advantages of Chiropractic for Neck Pain
Unlike other treatment options for neck pain, such as surgery or medication, chiropractic for neck pain has a very low risk of side effects. That, coupled with its effectiveness (studies reveal that over 75% of patients report significant improvement), makes it an attractive option for managing the aftermath of a motor vehicle accident.
Choosing to see a chiropractor for neck pain after a car accident significantly reduces the likelihood of receiving a prescription for potentially addictive opioids. A study in the journal Pain Medicine reports that individuals who choose chiropractic care are 64% less likely to need pain medication. In addition to reducing the potential for side effects, avoiding medication also ensures your doctor can address the underlying source of the pain for ongoing relief rather than simply masking it.
Let Chiropractic Approach Treat Your Neck Pain
Whether you know you have a neck injury immediately or it takes a few days for symptoms to show up, the doctors at Chiropractic Approach in Queens, NY, can find the source of the issue and help you feel better fast. Make an appointment today for an exam and personalized treatment plan to manage your pain and recover faster. Our doctors accept some insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection), and same-day appointments may be available.
If you have more questions about chiropractic care, want to know more about the benefits of a chiropractor in Queens, NY, or need an appointment, call us at (718) 275-1313.
FAQ About Chiropractic Care for Neck Pain
How does a chiropractor diagnose whiplash?
A chiropractor diagnoses whiplash via a physical exam to check for tension and tenderness. The doctor may use X-rays or MRI scans to rule out other injuries, like fractures.
How can I tell if I have whiplash?
The most common signs of whiplash are neck pain and stiffness that worsen over time. Whiplash also reduces the range of motion in your neck and makes it difficult or impossible to turn your head.
How long does whiplash pain last?
Whiplash can last for a few days up to several weeks. Getting chiropractic for neck pain as soon as possible after an accident can reduce the potential for complications and inflammation that can leave you in agonizing pain and disrupt your life.
