Even car crashes at extremely low speeds can cause a serious amount of damage to your body. Studies show that many injuries take place in accidents under 20 miles per hour. Even if you don’t experience immediate pain, it can be beneficial to visit a chiropractor after a car accident to make sure that your spine hasn’t become misaligned and that everything else is okay with your body.
There are plenty of wrecks every day in Central Arkansas and many leave their victims injured, sometimes for the rest of their lives. Many that are involved in a car accident think that they are fine because they don’t experience any initial pain. Remember, just because you are not experiencing any pain does not mean that you are not hurt! This is a common misconception made by many but almost all car crashes at least jolt the body. Many experience shock since their bodies are in fight-or-flight mode which blocks the pain from being felt. Some people experience pain the next day while it can takes weeks or months for some to experience some injuries.
Problems such as whiplash can typically be felt within the first few days. Whiplash is a result of a jolt to the spine and is felt in the neck or back region. Some whiplash occurrences just cause mild pain because the muscles tense up but more severe cases can cause excruciating pain and can misalign vertebrae in some individuals. There are also many more injuries that can occur such as herniated discs or bone fractures. These types of accidents can cause chronic problems if not taken care of immediately which is why it is important to be seen by a chiropractor as soon as possible.
Chiropractors specialize in complementary and alternative medicine. They diagnose, treat, and prevent disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system. A chiropractor will use manual techniques to manipulate the positions of vertebrae to alleviate pain and maintain correct positions.
When visiting a chiropractor after a car crash, it is important to tell him as much as possible about the car crash so they can recreate the scenario and inspect all areas that may be affected. If possible, it’s a good idea to write down and bring a summary of everything you remember about the accident including the direction in which your car was hit, as well as the position you were seating, the position you ended up in after the accident, and any pain or stiffness that you may feel.
The chiropractor may want to conduct an x-ray to check for fractures and will probably conduct a full inspection of your neck and back. After their examination and diagnosis, they will form a plan of treatment to get you on your way to a full recovery. There are several methods of reducing muscle stiffness and pain and they will probably do an adjustment to correct anything that may be out of place.
With all of the high traffic areas in Central Arkansas, it is likely that you may be involved in a car accident at some point. If you are involved in a car accident, don’t make the common mistake that so many people make and avoid seeking medical attention. Schedule an appointment with a chiropractor as soon as possible to prevent disorders and to be on your way to a full recovery should there be an issue.
