Injuries that occur as a result of automobile accidents are some of the most common reasons for emergency room visits. However, not all injuries that are sustained as a result of being involved in a car accident are visible, and some may not even present with symptoms immediately. Some of the most common types of injuries that occur are to the musculoskeletal system – the network of bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons that give our bodies form, strength, and movement. Since we cannot see this system, we are reliant on symptoms occurring to tell us that there is an issue, but all too often, these symptoms are masked by adrenaline. While some types of automobile injuries may heal without any intervention, others require professional intervention. Chiropractic care is often the best way to diagnose and treat auto injuries, enabling patients to recover more quickly and restoring their quality of life.
Chiropractic care is a non-invasive, drug-free form of treatment that can be used to help treat a variety of disorders and injuries affecting the musculoskeletal system including those caused by automobile accidents. Chiropractic care involves the use of a number of different techniques to induce a therapeutic effect that helps the body heal itself and alleviate the symptoms that the patient is experiencing. These include spinal adjustments to release pressure points within the body, massage to eliminate tension, and other therapies. Your chiropractor can also offer valuable advice on the best way to support your recovery at home (such as by performing physical therapy exercises) and to prevent future issues from occurring in the future.
Chiropractic care is normally provided over the course of a number of sessions. How many will depend on the severity of the patient’s issues and how quickly their body responds to the treatment. In the case of an injury, patients may be recommended a number of treatments close together initially, to kickstart the healing process, and then be moved onto maintenance appointments that take place once a week/month depending on the patient's needs.
Although there is a wide range of different injuries that can occur in a car accident, there are some that are more common than others. Here are some of the top auto injuries and what you need to know about how chiropractic care can help in the recovery process.
Whiplash is one of the most common of all car accident injuries and can even occur at low speeds. It occurs when the force of the impact causes your head to whip back and forth suddenly, placing stress on the neck and spine. Symptoms often don’t become obvious until hours or days after the injury, and when they do, the most common are pain and difficulty moving your neck normally. Chiropractic care for whiplash will focus on reducing inflammation, decreasing pain, and improving mobility. There are various techniques that can help with this, including gentle spinal manipulations, manual joint stretching and resistance, therapeutic massage and hot/cold therapies.
A herniated disc is another very common injury from car accidents. This occurs when the intervertebral discs which cushion the bones of the spine against impact, slide out of position, causing irritation to the surrounding nerves. This, in turn, can cause symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness that can extend into the legs and/or arms. Chiropractic care is often the best course of action for a herniated disc. Treatment can involve techniques including spinal manipulations, spinal decompression, and massage. These help to reduce pressure on the disc and guide it back into place, eliminating pain and mobility problems associated with the problem. Treatment can also help you to avoid disc problems in the future by strengthening your spine through physical therapy exercises.
Head injuries can occur in a variety of ways, with some being fairly minor and able to resolve themselves, while others are much more severe. Many people who have suffered a blow to the head may develop a concussion, which occurs when rapid movement causes the brain to move back and forth rapidly in the skull – something which can cause temporary effects or severe damage. Though your first visit for a concussion or any other head injury should be the emergency room, chiropractic care can help with your longer-term recovery. You will be created a tailored plan of treatment, which could include spinal decompression, manual manipulations, and physical therapy in order to reduce the post-trauma symptoms you are experiencing, including those which are psychological as well as physical. By performing chiropractic treatment, natural pain-relieving endorphins and increased blood flow will help to support healing and recovery.
For more advice on how chiropractic care can help with auto injuries, please get in touch with our team in Detroit, MI.