You may think it was just a harmless fender bender, but seeing a chiropractor for car accident injuries will help stop pain before it even starts.
Picture this: You were in a minor car accident a few days ago. Neither car had any significant damage, and you both walked away seemingly okay. However, now your neck is hurting, and your right arm feels a bit stiff.
You thought you walked away injury-free, but could you have been wrong?
Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much force to significantly damage your joints and muscles during a car wreck. In fact, even slow-moving fender benders cause injuries such as whiplash, torn muscles, and inflamed joints in a significant number of cases.
So, even if you think you’re okay, here are some reasons to see a chiropractor after a car accident.
Neck Pain
One of the most common injuries caused by car accidents is whiplash. This painful injury occurs because of the forceful back-and-forth motion your head experiences during a collision.
Chiropractic care for whiplash can significantly reduce the time it takes to heal and prevent future pain. The process typically starts with a thorough examination, including X-rays, to ensure there isn’t more severe damage than you may think. Then, through gentle cervical alignment and targeted soft tissue massage, we can effectively relieve pain, increase mobility, and correct issues that could later lead to more severe problems.
Even if you don’t have whiplash, seeing a chiropractor for car accident pain will still help you. Minor to moderate neck pain can cause headaches and upper body stiffness, making daily tasks more tiring.
Back Pain
As with whiplash, the force of a car wreck puts a ton (literally!) of strain on your spine and back muscles. Despite being able to walk away from the crash unscathed, that’s bound to cause some pain within days or even weeks.
The types of back injuries you can develop after a car accident include:
- Sprains — when one or more ligaments overstretch or tear
- Strain or “pulled back” — when ligaments stretch or tear
- Pinched nerve — when surrounding tissues (muscle, bone, cartilage, etc.) swell or become misplaced and put pressure on a nerve, causing pain, tingling, and numbness
- Herniated disc or slipped/ruptured disc — when the soft, supportive tissue between vertebrae “slips” out of place
Again, you may not feel any pain at first. But you don’t want to wait for symptoms to appear before you see a chiropractor for car accident injuries, no matter how minor. By taking this proactive step, you are taking control of your health and potentially preventing future complications.
We will ensure your spine is correctly aligned and does not put pressure on nerves or strain muscles, ligaments, and tendons. As with neck issues, x-rays are necessary to ensure you don’t have broken vertebrae or other problems. You might also need CT scans or other tests if we suspect you have one or more bulging discs.
Our interdisciplinary team can also prescribe pain medication as needed and treat your back issues through massage and physical rehabilitation.
Joint Pain and Other Injuries
Car crashes can also damage the joints and surrounding tissues in your shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles. These injuries often happen because people try to brace themselves in the seconds before a wreck occurs, causing significant compression on these joints.
Although most people think chiropractors only focus on the back, we actually focus on the relationship between your spine, joints, muscles, tendons, and other tissues. That means that we can treat joint problems in your limbs, especially those caused by a car accident or other trauma.
We use various techniques to decrease pain, heal inflammation, and increase mobility and strength. Some methods include temporary traction, deep massage, active exercises and stretches, and spinal manipulation.
You Should See a Chiropractor for Car Accident Injuries
North Texas Clinic and Rehab is an interdisciplinary clinic experienced in helping people after auto accidents and personal injuries. We can heal your pain while helping you with attorney referrals and necessary paperwork for insurance claims and legal documentation. Our comprehensive approach ensures that all your needs are met, providing you with the support and care you need after a car accident or injury.
In addition to chiropractic care, we offer general medicine, massage, and physical rehab—all of which can help with the many pains and injuries caused by car accidents.
However, even if the accident was a minor fender bender that didn’t require legal or medical assistance, it’s still in your best interest to see a chiropractor after a car accident. You may not feel any pain immediately, but it often appears later.
Ignoring any type of pain can lead to increased discomfort and even life-altering problems. It can make it challenging to work, to care for yourself and loved ones, and accomplish even simple tasks.
Take control of your physical health and make an appointment with a chiropractor for car accident injuries. Even if you don’t need continued care, it’s better to be proactive when experiencing something as physically traumatic as a fender bender or wreck.
