Car accident and injury

Car crashes and injuries resulting from accidents are a common source of the kinds of pain which we specialise in treating at Complete Chiropractic. Often, people rely on painkillers in the aftermath of an accident. While this is understandable in the immediate term, long-term use of painkillers is undoubtedly not an appropriate way to deal with musculoskeletal issues arising from an accident. On the contrary, failing to deal with these kinds of problems properly may actually predispose you to further injury in the future.

 

Symptoms

After being in a car accident or a similar incident, you are often more concerned about the state of the car and the well-being of other occupants rather than how you feel right away. While serious injuries are usually apparent (at least on inspection by a medical professional), longer-term issues can often be masked by the adrenaline and other stress hormones which start running through your body when an incident occurs. Because of this, injuries from accidents aren’t always apparent, and symptoms often don’t begin to emerge for several days.

When we think about the kinds of accidents which people are typically involved in, car crashes usually come to mind as the most common – but in fact, any impact or sudden deceleration can cause injuries. Research shows that car crashes occurring at as little as 5mph can result in significant tissue damage – the damage to the car can, therefore, appear minor. In contrast, the damage to the occupants can be substantial. Since injury can also occur at such a low speed, you may also experience long term effects from situations which we wouldn’t necessarily think of as a “crash” – these might include backing into an object, such as a bollard or wall, taking a pothole badly on a motorbike or similar, or even after driving a golf cart or recreational vehicle over rough ground.

Whiplash is the most common type of injury which results from lower-impact car crashes, but many forms of back and neck pain are often reported. Typically, symptoms start with stiffness and aching as the initial shock subsides, followed by neck & shoulder pain, back pain, headaches, muscle spasms, dizziness, and pins and needles.

The symptoms that result from damage to the body from car accidents can last from a few weeks to months or become chronic problems lasting for years when appropriate treatment is not given.

 

 

Treatment

Modern cars are designed to absorb some of the impact when one vehicle strikes another. This means that in many cases, severe injuries are avoided. However, even then, much of the effect is still transferred to the occupants’ bodies as they are thrown forward and back. A good analogy is that of a box of eggs being dropped – the box may appear fine from the outside, but once opened, the damage to the eggs becomes apparent. Because modern cars do such a good job at preventing serious injuries during a crash, it’s actually now more common for victims to experience problems which emerge down the line and not to seek medical treatment immediately, as you would for a more serious injury.

The biomechanics of a Whiplash injury result in the C-shaped neck curve being buckled as the head is thrown forward and back, altering the shape of the spine due to ligament and soft tissue damage. Most of the discomfort that arises initially is a direct result of tissue injury, whereas the long-term issues are typically associated with this displacement of the vertebra. X-rays are therefore the best option to assess the damage to the neck or another area of the spine, as they allow us to differentiate between pain likely related to damage to spinal ligaments and longer-term issues related to displacement of vertebrae.

Soft tissue injuries are best treated with methodologies such as massage or sports therapy. In contrast, issues related to the structure of the spine itself are addressed and corrected through chiropractic care. No matter what kind of injury is at play, a thorough examination must be performed as soon as possible following a road traffic accident – this allows us to ascertain the severity of the damage and the tissues affected, so that the proper treatment can be administered before any damage becomes a chronic issue.

 

How Chiropractic Can Help

Chiropractic care can play a crucial role in the recovery process following an accident. By employing techniques such as spinal adjustments, mobilisation, and targeted therapeutic exercises, chiropractors aim to restore proper alignment to the spine and improve overall function. This approach helps alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and enhance mobility, allowing patients to regain their normal range of motion more rapidly. Additionally, chiropractic care addresses the underlying issues that may contribute to chronic pain, ensuring a more comprehensive recovery. Patients often report significant improvements in their symptoms and overall quality of life as they benefit from a personalised treatment plan tailored to their specific needs. Regular chiropractic sessions can also help prevent future injuries by strengthening the musculoskeletal system and promoting better body mechanics.

 

Why Choose Complete Chiropractic?

When you have been involved in an accident and are experiencing pain, you must have your injuries professionally assessed. While chiropractic is an ideal solution for neck or back pain resulting from a crash, you must have any affected areas – especially the neck –  x-rayed before beginning treatment, just in case you have sustained a vertebral fracture or break, which may require urgent medical treatment. At Complete Chiropractic, we have state-of-the-art X-ray facilities on-site, which enable us to investigate your case and create an optimal treatment plan thoroughly.

We focus on helping you return to normal function as quickly as possible by easing symptoms and working to restore mobility. Once your immediate, painful complaint is under control, we concentrate on correcting any underlying or residual problems to ensure that you are not left with long-term effects.