When it comes to car safety, seatbelts are non-negotiable. They save countless lives every year by preventing serious injuries and fatalities. However, while seatbelts are crucial for your safety, it’s important to recognize that they can sometimes cause hidden injuries (especially to your ribs and spine) during a collision.
 

Why Seatbelts Are Essential

First, let’s be clear: always wear your seatbelt. The risk of severe or fatal injuries in an accident is drastically higher without one. Seatbelts are designed to restrain your body, keeping you from being thrown forward or ejected from the vehicle in the event of a crash. Shoulder harnesses, which cross over your chest and shoulder, are especially effective in spreading out the force of impact over stronger areas of your body.
 

How Seatbelts Can Affect Your Spine

Even though seatbelts are lifesavers, the same force that keeps you secure can also cause musculoskeletal injuries. During a crash, the shoulder harness can cause your body to twist unnaturally as you’re thrown against the restraint. This twisting motion puts a tremendous amount of stress on your spinal column.
 

Here’s what can happen:

•          Spinal Misalignment: The unnatural twisting may force part of your spine out of alignment.

•          Disc Injuries: The discs between your vertebrae can bulge out of place or even herniate if the force is strong enough. A herniated disc means the protective outer layer has torn, and the softer inside material has pushed out.

•          Nerve Compression: Damaged discs can press against nerve roots branching out from the spine, causing pain, numbness, or tingling in various parts of the body.

•          Reduced Cushioning: If a disc herniates, the vertebrae above and below it can lose their natural cushioning, leading to increased pain and reduced mobility.

The Importance of Early Intervention

One of the most challenging aspects of seatbelt-related injuries is that symptoms may not appear immediately. It’s common for pain or other signs of spinal damage to surface weeks or even months after the accident. By this time, your body may have already started forming scar tissue around the injury, which can make healing more difficult and pain more persistent.

That’s why it’s so important to get checked by a professional after any car accident - even if you feel fine at first. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent long-term complications and help you recover more quickly.
 

Car Accident Injury Treatment in Detroit

If you’ve been in a car accident, don’t ignore your symptoms or wait for the pain to go away. Dr. Eisman and our team specialize in evaluating and treating auto accident injuries. We will conduct a thorough assessment of your spine and musculoskeletal system to determine the root cause of your discomfort.
 

Depending on your needs, your personalized treatment plan may include chiropractic adjustments, spinal decompression, or other techniques aimed at restoring proper alignment and promoting healing. Our approach is drug-free and focused on helping you return to your daily life as quickly and safely as possible.
 

Prioritize Your Health After a Collision

Wearing a seatbelt is one of the best decisions you can make for your safety on the road. However, even when seatbelts do their job, the forces involved in a collision can still impact your ribs and spine in ways that aren’t always immediately obvious. Taking a proactive approach by seeking care soon after an accident (regardless of how you feel) can make all the difference in your recovery and help you avoid lingering pain or complications down the road.
 

If you’ve experienced a car accident, take the next step toward protecting your health. Reach out to Eisman Chiropractic Clinic for a complete spinal assessment. Visit our office in Detroit, Michigan, or contact us at (313) 395-0088 to arrange an appointment today.