Seek Medical Help Immediately After a Car Accident – Here’s Why

See A Chiropractor Immediately After A Car Accident

Traumatic injuries from auto accidents are the most common cause of chronic neck and back pain.

Car accidents happen with alarming regularity. When you have millions of people on the highways daily, traveling at a high rate of speed, accidents are going to happen, and people are going to be injured. Car accidents can be the cause of broken bones, whiplash or back pain.

How Prevalent are Car Accidents?

There were 1,889,000 accidents with injuries in the United States in 2018. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, there were over 120,000 car accidents in 2016 within the state. Of those, approximately 30,000 resulted in personal injury. Just over 500 accidents resulted in a fatality.

The number one cause of accidents was speeding (over 18,000), followed by alcohol-related crashes (over 5,000). Preventing accidents is important and can minimize the potential for injury or death. To reduce your risk of injury, follow the posted speed limits. Never drink and drive, and never get in a car with an impaired driver. Always wear your seat belt.

Common Car Accident Injuries

  • Whiplash
    The most common injury from a car accident is whiplash. In most cases, whiplash happens as a result of a rear-end collision. The force of the collision causes the neck of the individual to move back and forth quickly. The cervical spine joints in the neck are affected when this happens. A person with whiplash may suffer from blurred vision, headaches, stiffness and neck pain. Your doctor may require you to have an MRI, X-ray or CT scan to determine the level of soft tissue damage.
  • Neck pain
    A stiff neck can be the result of damage to the discs in the cervical spine. The vertebrae in the neck may be injured through contact with the car seat, tension with the seatbelt or other sudden movements associated with the accident.
  • Head injury
    Another common injury in car accidents is head trauma. When there is an impact to the head, there can be a mild injury, such as a concussion or a major injury such as a traumatic brain injury. The symptoms can be vision problems, headaches, dizziness or loss of consciousness.
  • Back pain
    Back pain is another common result of an accident. The sudden impact can cause sharp pain or a consistent throbbing pain that can last for days.

When Should I Seek Treatment After a Car Accident?

Pain from a car accident may not present itself for a few days after the accident. In many cases, adrenaline reduces the feelings of pain, and you may not notice symptoms for a few days. It’s important to be evaluated by a chiropractor in the days following an accident to ensure there aren’t any underlying problems that can turn into bigger issues down the road.

An Arthritis Care and Research study revealed that 43% of individuals who suffer from chronic pain point to an automobile accident as the reason for their pain. They conclude that there is evidence to suggest that being involved in an accident can be a mitigating factor in the development of chronic pain.

Getting treatment for injuries you’ve sustained is essential for reducing the long-term effects of the accident and lessening the possibility of developing chronic pain.

Accident Recovery Treatment Options

Back pain can be treated with a variety of methods. Stucky Chiropractors use specialized therapies to relieve the pain that you may be experiencing. During your appointment, we may use spinal adjustments or spinal decompression to help restore mobility or reduce pain. Your chiropractor may suggest massage therapy to assist in giving you relief from pain.

Physical Rehabilitation For Automobile Accident Injuries

Your chiropractor will help you to develop an effective therapy program based on the type and severity of the injury you sustained. Physical therapy can help relieve back pain, whiplash, neck pain and other discomforts from an auto accident. Your therapy may include the use of ice and heat, stretching and strengthening exercises and other techniques to assist you in developing flexibility and muscle strengthening.

Chiropractic Treatment Post-Auto Accident

Under the care of a chiropractor, you can regain spinal alignment that may have been lost in the course of an auto accident. Through spinal adjustment or manipulation, the chiropractor will realign your vertebrae and eliminate pressure on the nerves of your spine. While you may feel an improvement after one treatment, you may need a series of treatments to achieve optimal results.

If you’ve been injured as a result of a car accident, contact our office to schedule an evaluation. We’ll help you work through any immediate pain and develop a plan to prevent additional problems in the future.