If you have a vehicle accident, your first thought may not be to see a chiropractor. Maybe it should!
Without a doubt, a chiropractor is helpful if you sustain injuries related to the spine and the musculoskeletal system. In detail, backaches, neck pain, stiffness, soreness, and restricted range of motion are all very common for those who were recently in a car crash. There is no doubt that conventional medicine saves lives, particularly in an emergency or life-threatening conditions. Unfortunately, if a patient experiences pain without a broken bone or a cut, conventional medicine may only prescribe pain or anti-inflammatory medication. They often treat the pain but are not able to heal the root cause. For this reason, a chiropractor makes a difference when they step in with new treatments.
The Injuries From a Vehicle Accident
There are several different injuries that can be sustained as a result of a motor vehicle accident.
Whiplash
A sudden impact or even just fast braking can lead to whiplash. Therefore, whiplash is a common injury after a car accident. Specifically, whiplash involves back, shoulder, and neck pain that occurs when your head quickly snaps in one direction. Under those circumstances, a chiropractor offers treatments to help relieve whiplash pain.
Herniated or Bulging Disc
The soft spongy cushions between the bones of your spine absorb impacts and enable you to bend and twist. These are called discs. With this in mind, a sudden impact may cause a disc to move out of its usual position. Therefore this movement can cause intense pain. As a result, it may even damage the disc and rupture it. Consequently, a rupture can cause the gel in the disc to leak out. Further, this gel can irritate the surrounding nerves. Thankfully, a chiropractor is able to readjust these misaligned discs.
Muscle, Ligament, or Nerve Pain
The back and neck contain many muscles, ligaments, and nerves. Again, any of these could be injured in a car accident and cause pain. Just as a chiropractor can identify which muscles, ligaments, or nerves are injured, so he can offer treatments to relieve pain.
Bone Fractures and Joint Injuries
Equally important, the sudden impact of a vehicle accident may also lead to bone fractures. Whereas the bony protrusions along the spinal column restrict movement of the spine, they prevent us from overextending or overtwisting our backs. These bones are called facet joints and can become broken in an accident. Nonetheless, a chiropractor can help treat these broken bones.
Chiropractic Benefits
There are many benefits to a chiropractic adjustment following a motor vehicle accident.
Inflammation
Micro-tears within the muscles and ligaments are common and often cannot be seen in a standard x-ray. In order to produce natural anti-inflammatory properties, adjustments can bring the spine back into alignment.
Scarring
After an injury, cuts on the skin can cause scars. Likewise, injury to muscles and ligaments can cause scars inside the body as well. Scarred muscles result in stiffness and soreness. Chiropractic treatment can target these scarred areas and help them to break down quicker.
Medication
A patient receiving proper chiropractic treatment often has a decreased need for medication. Prescription pain medications can often have unwanted side effects. They are also very addictive. It is beneficial to patients if they can avoid them. Medications may also mask an injury and make it more difficult to treat.
Long Term
Chiropractic treatment promptly after an accident can help reduce the chance of injuries becoming worse. Those injuries could turn into more serious or chronic conditions.
Range of Motion
Back and neck injuries often result in restricted mobility. As a result, a patient may have trouble turning their head, twisting, or even walking. Mobilizing the spine through chiropractic adjustments can help restore proper range of motion.
Some Treatments After a Vehicle Accident
There are various treatments a chiropractor can use to help a patient after a motor vehicle accident.
Flexion-Distraction
This procedure is a gentle spinal manipulation to treat bulging or herniated discs. The chiropractor will use a slow pumping action on the affected area. The chiropractor will be able to gently get the discs to move back to their proper position.
Instrument- Assistance
A chiropractor may use a hand-held tool to apply force to the spine. This is done without thrusting and is gentler to the patient. This gentle procedure is particularly helpful to older patients, patients with other conditions, and patients who are pregnant.
Specific Spinal Manipulation
With specific spinal manipulation, a chiropractor will identify joints with restricted motion and use thrusting techniques to restore motion. This thrusting motion stretches soft tissue and triggers the nervous system to restore normal motion.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy is another chiropractic treatment for a wide variety of injuries. This treatment may include massage, trigger point therapy, instrument-assisted soft tissue therapy, and joint stretching and resistance. These therapies can help increase a patient’s comfort.
Ultrasound
A chiropractor uses ultrasound treatment in addition to manual therapy to identify and treat specific injuries such as whiplash.
Electrical Stimulation
Interferential electrical stimulation involves the use of a weak electrical current to stimulate muscles and reduce inflammation. these electrical pulses are not painful and relieve pain.
If you have been in a motor vehicle accident, Spinal Logic can help diagnose your pain and offer relief. Notably, our chiropractors take the time to assess every aspect of your lifestyle, medical history, and body to find a permanent solution to your pain. Contact our team today at 317-745-5111 and schedule an appointment or to learn more. We look forward to hearing from you.
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Disclaimer: The information included in this article is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
