Did you know that motor vehicle accidents increased by 7% during 2020, despite recording fewer drivers on the road?
Accidents on the road can happen within seconds, and you need a team of experts to help you manage your car accident injuries. Neglecting early intervention could cause medical complications and lead to chronic pain.
If you or a loved one has been in a car accident, read on to learn how to decide on your next steps. We will go over the most common car accident injuries and why a chiropractor should be one of the first providers you call.
We know exactly what to look for in a chiropractor when a car accident happens.
Car accident injuries can alter your life. Severe car accident injuries can even result in spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other orthopedic traumas.
The most common injuries may seem minor at first. However, it is crucial to always follow up with a qualified health care practitioner to avoid long-term complications. Here are a few car accident injury examples:
Soft tissue injuries are some of the most common diagnoses in medical and chiropractic offices. It is likely you may have whiplash or mid-to-low back muscle strains that make it difficult to sleep, sit, or participate in your normal daily activities.
Your first step is to seek proper medical care onsite. Paramedics will be able to rule out more serious injuries such as:
Then, if you’ve had a minor auto accident, you should seek out a chiropractor. Chiropractors are the most qualified practitioners to evaluate any minor injuries and give you a treatment plan moving forward.
The road to recovery might take weeks to months, and a qualified chiropractor can help with the process and reduce pain.
Chiropractic treatments for car accident injuries might involve:
As you progress, your rehabilitation and chiropractic team can use more specific treatments to help you return to normal life as quickly and safely as possible.
Chiropractors are skilled, licensed, and experienced health care providers. They focus on providing alternative, holistic, and evidence-based treatments.
Chiropractors use various physical therapy modalities, manual therapy, and education to promote overall health and wellness. These skilled healthcare providers reduce pain while improving function.
The best part is that you can avoid costly drugs and painful procedures and surgeries. How does a chiropractor help with these injuries?
Modalities can reduce pain, improve comfort and blood flow, and stimulate faster tissue healing. Joint and spinal mobilizations and manipulations are velocity-dependent manual therapy techniques that restore function and reduce muscle guarding and painful spasms.
Research shows that joint manipulations are effective in reducing pain response and inflammation. This meta-analysis also found the following benefits with spinal and joint manual therapy:
These techniques are safe when performed by a qualified professional Chiropractor.
Your first session will likely go over:
This information gives your chiropractor a general idea of what treatments are safest for your recovery. For example, if you had a neck fusion, it is unlikely that you will begin aggressive treatments targeting those joints.
Instead, gentle range of motion exercises and pain management are key. During this session, you should express any concerns or questions about your care. Remember, car accident injuries are complex and can require weeks of treatment.
You should also speak with the clinic and your insurance provider about insurance coverage. Nearly 60% of adults who visited a chiropractor had insurance coverage. Car accident injuries may qualify for even more coverage.
While chiropractic adjustments sound intimidating, many patients find immediate pain relief.
Typically, these sessions are coupled with other soft tissue treatments or relaxation therapies.
Current research shows that spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) helps non-specific and chronic neck and back pain. Experts suggest using SMT with other interventions like exercise.
While physical therapy has often been at the forefront of non-invasive rehabilitation, your chiropractor is also trained and skilled at exercise intervention. Current research suggests spinal manipulative therapy should be a front line treatment for spinal pain conditions as well.
As an added benefit, your chiropractor will provide education on lifestyle changes and nutrition. An overall wellness approach ensures long-term recovery and health.
Unlike physical therapists, chiropractors work closely with holistic remedies. They often use acupuncture and dry needling to help with various neurological or muscle disorders like:
Acupuncture is also closely intertwined with emotional and mental health. Many physical benefits often correlate with improved mental health and reduced stress or tension.
How can you find relief after car accident injuries? Not seeking assistance could lead to chronic pain and higher future medical bills.
Instead, let the experts at Boulder Back Pain Clinic help you out. Our highly skilled chiropractors have vast experience working with car accident injuries.
We offer various alternative and natural remedies and treatments. They are specifically designed for whole-body wellness, pain reduction, and improved function.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
I've been seeing Dr. Cahn for over 3 years now and love that he is relaxed, genuine, and personal. He has helped resolve issues with my neck, low back, and hip. I go in for the treatment, but it's probably the great conversations we have that keep me coming back!
Dr. Guzik is awesome. He's knowledgeable, affable, and passionate about wellness. He has a natural, easygoing way with patients that will put you right at ease. I have only great things to say about this practice and Dr. Guzik!
Both Dr. Cahn and Dr. Guzik are highly knowledgeable and skilled in providing excellent care to their patients. They were instrumental in getting me through an injury to be able to compete competitively in triathlon this season. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing high level chiropractic care!
