After experiencing a car accident, you are probably feeling shocked or distressed. The logistics of car insurance, health insurance, repairs, and injures can be overwhelming and can cause people to procrastinate getting medical treatment, especially when the accident did not result in obvious injuries. Here’s why you need to see your chiropractor after an auto accident no matter the result.
IT STARTS WITH ADRENALINE
Just as with most any trauma, a car accident will cause adrenaline levels to spike. Adrenaline, a hormone that prepares the body for action in high-stress situations, also has a numbing effect on pain. After the body recognizes the threat is gone, discomfort and soreness that wasn’t felt right after the accident starts to set in.
One study found that more than 70% of people who go to the ER after an auto accident still experience pain 6 weeks later. Chiropractic care is a method of treatment that can provide pain relief for the long and short-term.
WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT A CHIROPRACTOR AFTER AN AUTO ACCIDENT
Chiropractic care is a natural, non-invasive, drug-free treatment for the musculoskeletal and nervous system. As chiropractors, part of our training is how to relieve pain that is commonly associated with injuries from auto accidents, including whiplash and strains.
A combination of multiple chiropractic treatments including spinal manipulations and pressure release techniques aid in restoring joint mobility from tissue injury. An added bonus is that chiropractic treatments are free from the many negative side effects of medication or surgery.
CAN CHIROPRACTIC TREAT MULTIPLE CONDITIONS?
There are many different types of injuries and conditions that are well-suited to be treated by chiropractic care.
One of the most common injuries we see after an auto accident is whiplash, which is caused by a sudden, rapid front and back movement of the neck and head that extends the muscles and tendons beyond the normal range of motion. If you were rear-ended, it's possible to sustain a whiplash injury even if it was at a low speed. If ignored, whiplash can lead to headaches, numbness, shoulder and upper back pain, and chronic neck pain.
Another common injury we treat is back pain caused by auto accidents, which can leave patients in excruciating pain. Back and neck pain are two of the most common types of car accident injuries.
We also see many patients that suffer from headaches after an auto accident. These headaches typically go away on their own, but chiropractic can help relieve those that are persistent. Long-term headaches, or post-traumatic headaches, are caused by an auto accident or other head injury. They are sometimes accompanied by other symptoms including:
- Dizziness
- Ringing in the ears
- Anxiety or depression
- Blurred Vision
A consultation with your local Rochelle chiropractor will help determine the best method of treatment, and spinal manipulations often reduce pressure on the neck area, which can ease pain.
IS CHIROPRACTIC CARE THE BEST TREATMENT FOR ME?
If you find you are still experiencing pain after an auto accident, talk to your primary care doctor about chiropractic care. You may choose to use chiropractic alone or as a complementary treatment with others, such as physical therapy, massage, or acupuncture.
We are committed to helping our patients heal from auto accident injuries to reach their full health potential. Click here to schedule an appointment today at Wills Chiropractic to see how you can benefit from chiropractic care.