Car accidents are one of the most frightening experiences that a person can go through. In addition to shaking you up mentally and emotionally, car accidents can lead to physical injuries or pain. The most common physical problem that stems from a car accident is whiplash.
Whiplash occurs when you’re moving, then come to a sudden and jarring stop due to your collision. While your body comes to a sudden stop, thanks to your seatbelt, your head and neck continue to move forward before also coming to a jerking stop. This effect is similar to swinging a whip, which is where it gets its name, and often results in head, neck, shoulder, and upper back pain.
While whiplash isn’t life-threatening, it can cause extreme pain and discomfort in the upper torso, neck, and head. This, in turn, can lead to debilitating headaches and severely impede your way of life. One of the only ways to deal with this pain and discomfort is to see a chiropractor.
How Can a Chiropractor Help Me After an Accident?
Chiropractors are medical professionals who specialize in treating injuries and pain related to the neuromusculoskeletal system, which includes the spine, back, neck, and head. Because these parts of the body are commonly affected by auto collisions, chiropractors are especially skilled at treating accident victims.
Chiropractors use holistic, natural remedies to help people work through their pain and discomfort. This will keep you from relying on painkillers and medications to deal with your pain, which can lead to addiction. Instead, chiropractors will perform neck and spinal adjustments and administer other therapies to relieve your pain and treat the root of the problem.
Issues a Chiropractor Can Treat
Even if you aren’t seriously injured in a car accident, it cause undue pain and discomfort because your body isn’t meant to come to an abrupt halt after traveling at high speeds. This abrupt stoppage can lead to many issues, all of which your chiropractor can treat.
Inflammation
Inflammation is a normal part of the healing process and is a sign that your body is trying to recover from an injury. However, too much inflammation is bad and can slow the recovery process. A skilled chiropractor can help you reduce unwanted inflammation, speeding up your recovery.
Bulging or Herniated Disc
While whiplash is the most common injury that results from a car accident, you can also develop a bulged or herniated disc. A bulged or herniated disc occurs when the spongy layer between your vertebrae that keeps them from touching gets knocked out of place. This can result in your vertebrae touching, which causes excruciated pain and discomfort. A bulged disc can also cause reduced mobility and an inability to turn or twist.
Nerve Pain
Your spinal column is an integral part of your central nervous system and contains trillions of nerves and nerve endings. A car accident can damage these nerves, resulting in pain, discomfort, numbness, tingling, and more. Damaged nerves can cause permanent problems and chronic pain, so it’s important to have a chiropractor check you after an accident.
Shoulder or Neck Pain
Neck and shoulder pain is also a common ailment following a car accident. Whether from whiplash or direct contact, pain in these areas can be debilitating and lingering. Rather than having a doctor prescribe pain medications, you can see a chiropractor for neck and shoulder pain.
Chiropractors can perform manipulations and use therapies to ease your pain and discomfort. Your chiropractor will also get to the root of what’s causing your pain and treat it to get you on the mend.
Back Problems
In addition to neck and shoulder pain, your chiropractor can help with back pain. Whether it’s because of a bulging disc, nerve damage, or anything else, a chiropractor offers the best chance of pain relief and a swift recovery.
Should I Always See a Chiropractor After an Accident?
“Car accident” is a broad term that can mean many different things. It can be anything from a minor fender bender where you’re not moving or moving very slowly to an accident that occurs at moderate to high speeds.
Either way, however, it’s a good idea to see a chiropractor after a car accident. Even a minor collision or fender bender can cause whiplash, headaches, and neck or back pain. Here are some benefits of visiting a chiropractor after any car accident.
Improved Range of Motion
Any amount of pain or soreness in the neck, back, or shoulders can result in a limited range of motion. This can make it difficult to perform activities of daily living, work, or even go to school. A chiropractor can perform exercises, manipulations, and therapies that will help restore your range of motion and get you back to doing what you love the most.
Fewer Painkillers
If you go to a doctor for pain relief, they’ll likely prescribe painkillers. While you’ll experience quick relief, painkillers come with the risk of addiction and are only a temporary fix that doesn’t get to the root of your pain. Chiropractors, on the other hand, use natural adjustments and treatments to ease your pain and heal your condition.
Non-Surgical Recovery
Chiropractors also offer the option of non-surgical recovery. In addition to manipulations and exercises, chiropractors use cold laser therapy, non-surgical spinal decompression, massage therapy, and much more to get you on the road to recovery. You can also get nutritional, dietary, and lifestyle advice from your chiropractor to help with pain and recovery.
Pain Relief
Most importantly, a chiropractor will provide short and long-term pain relief for your condition. Chronic pain can keep you awake at night, in constant stress, and interfere with your daily life. Therefore, before you can fully recover from injuries that resulted from your car accident, you’ll need to find healthy ways to cope with your pain.
If you like the sound of non-invasive and non-surgical recovery after a car accident, contact us at Stanlick Chiropractic in Northern Kentucky. From spinal decompression and manipulations to laser and massage therapy, we offer a wide range of treatment options for victims of car accidents. We’ll help ease your pain and discomfort and get you back to living your best life in no time.