afterauto

Should I seek medical attention after an Auto Accident even if I do not think I am hurt?

YES!!

It can take days, weeks or even months for major symptoms to show up, which is why chiropractic care is essential to maintaining the health of a spine that has been through a trauma. Many drivers involved in low-speed accidents and even rear-end collisions find that what seemed to be minor neck or back pain at first gets worse instead of better in the weeks following the accident. The seriousness of the physical effects of an accident is not always known or felt immediately following an accident which is partially due to adrenaline. (Of course if seriously hurt in the accident, one should be taken to the emergency room immediately whether it be via ambulance or by other means.)

Not all injuries are properly identified or treated in the emergency room, however; this is where chiropractic evaluation following an auto accident
is essential. Typically, x-rays of the area of the spine injured will be obtained to rule out fractures and to observe the alignment of the spine.

When injuries are left untreated it can induce long-term pain from scar tissue build up and adhesions. The body is designed to move via all the joints the human body contains. Typically following an accident, individuals tend to want to go home and lay in bed upon hours; this act of immobilization allows for edema/inflammation and stiffness/tightness to settle in that many individuals experience following the trauma of an auto collision.

Any body part that is jarred or thrown forward unexpectedly and beyond normal limits can sustain stretched ligaments and even tears. Those supporting the head and neck are especially vulnerable to this kind of sprain and/or strain during a collision. Since chiropractors specialize in the care of bones, muscles, nerves and connective tissue, they are crucial to visit after an accident. All those major parts of the body are important to keep in optimal health and correct alignment so they can function properly and all body systems can operate seamlessly.

Early care and treatment means full healing and recovery is quickly realized. Even a car crash that is seemingly minor with limited damage to the car itself can cause serious injury to the driver and passengers. Chiropractic treatments after a car wreck are the right step toward restoring the body. They relieve pain, make necessary adjustments to spine alignment and may include massage, electrical muscle stimulation and/or hydrotherapy treatment and/or stretch/strength exercises. Chiropractors care for the whole individual after an accident.