Approximately 12,500 spinal injuries occur in the United States annually, and more than one-third of those are caused by car accidents. Auto accident injuries do not adhere to time constraints. They can appear anywhere from hours to months after the incident.
The human body experiences an unusually high surge of adrenaline during a car accident, and the interruption to pain receptors can trick your body into thinking you are okay when you are not. Seeing a chiropractor after an accident could help you get ahead of potential pain or injury and start the healing faster.
What Does a Chiropractor Do for Car Accident Victims?
An auto accident chiropractor can treat common neck and back injuries, such as neck pain from a whiplash injury and lower back pain, that are caused by car accidents.
They have techniques and strategies that can decrease pain and can help prevent permanent damage. Seeking car accident chiropractic care has several advantages.
- It can reduce scar tissue. Scar tissue of the muscles can cause discomfort, stiffness, and pain. A chiropractor can target areas that are damaged and break up scar tissue to allow faster healing.
- It can improve mobility. The body is commonly sore and stiff after a car accident. Spinal adjustments can stimulate the body to promote natural healing and better mobility.
- It can decrease inflammation. The soreness experienced after an auto accident comes from tiny tears in the muscle. Spinal cord realignment can help to decrease pain and inflammation throughout the body.
Seeking chiropractic treatment after an accident could significantly decrease body-wide pain for years to come. Given the high rate of auto accidents in New York, a chiropractor in Queens, NY has extensive experience treating patients that suffer from neck and back pain caused by auto accident injuries.
How Do You Know You Need to See a Chiropractor After a Car Accident?
The injuries sustained in a car accident can be minimal or extensive, and knowing when and where to seek treatment afterward can be confusing. If you are wondering whether or not you should schedule an appointment with a chiropractor, the most likely answer is yes for a number of reasons.
Are You Experiencing Pain?
Pain is usually the first indicator of injury. Scrapes and bruises are easy to see, but internal injuries need further assessment for diagnosis. If you are experiencing pain after an accident, first have yourself examined by a medical professional. An auto injury chiropractor may be able to help you understand the source of your pain and offer contemporary treatment.
How Serious Was the Accident?
The type of injuries you can sustain from a car accident varies greatly. Every person and every accident is different. The severity of the crash has a major impact on how serious your injuries could be, but even a minor fender-bender can cause neck and back pain.
Under the best of circumstances, the body often reacts adversely to unexpected force. Common injuries from collisions include:
- Broken or fractured bones,
- Muscle, tendon, and ligament sprains and strains,
- Bruises and lacerations,
- Soft-tissue damage,
- Concussions or traumatic brain injury.
If your accident was severe, going to the emergency room right away is imperative, even if medical professionals on the scene did not deem it necessary to take you. Do not underestimate the impact of a minor crash. Whiplash is still a common injury and seeing a chiropractor right away can lessen your chance of painful symptoms.
Have You Seen Any Doctor?
Seeing your primary care physician or going to the hospital is a great first step in diagnosing and treating auto injuries. However, if you continue to experience pain, it may be time to see a specialist. An auto accident chiropractor should be the next step for a second opinion. You already know that your injuries were sustained in a collision, therefore, seeking an auto injury chiropractor after a car accident might be a better way to get a diagnosis for your pain.
During your assessment, your chiropractor will check for any injuries commonly caused by a collision. If any are diagnosed, they will create a care plan for you that can include an array of treatments, including adjustments, trigger point therapy, and possibly deep tissue massages. The goal is to help you manage pain and healing with more contemporary techniques.
How Often Should You Go to the Chiropractor?
How often you see the chiropractor depends on your specific injuries and needs. Auto injuries, such as whiplash injuries and soft-tissue injuries, typically require a series of appointments to combat consistent pain. Basic soreness that you see in nearly every car accident can sometimes be reduced after only one or two sessions. Your chiropractor will develop a treatment plan specifically designed for your individual needs.
Schedule an Appointment With a Chiropractor in Queens, NY
The doctors at Chiropractor Approach, P.C. in Queens have over 40 years of experience in auto accident chiropractic care. We are committed to adapting our practice to the most effective, non-invasive, drug-free medical treatment. We accept no-fault insurance, PIP (Personal Injury Protection), workers’ compensation, and other heal insurance plans. Let us help you explore different ways to treat your pain today by calling our office at (718) 275-1313 to schedule a free consultation or order an appointment online here.
Sources:
https://www.spinalcord.com/blog/10-startling-car-accident-statistics
https://integrityspineortho.com/can-a-car-accident-cause-delayed-injuries/
