Auto Accident Chiropractor: Car Accident Injuries

Chiropractic Care Is Needed For Auto Injuries

According to the Insurance Research Council, nearly 1/3 of all claimants injured in motor vehicle accidents (MVA’s) seek treatment from doctors of chiropractic care. This is an impressive number given that the National Safety Council (NSC) has determined there to be more than 12 million MVA’s annually involving more than 20 million vehicles.

This also means that 2/3 of all claimants injured in MVA’s never seek care. These types of injuries can be insidious in nature, which means that pain is not always present immediately. Many times, the pain will occur 2 weeks after an incident or even years later. Emergency rooms typically check for broken bones but do not evaluate for soft tissue injuries which can be the cause of chronic pain in the future.

An insidious soft tissue injury can alter the biomechanics of the spine. Altered biomechanics of the spine is related to the development of arthritis. If this type of injury is left undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to serious health concerns later on in life. Studies have shown that altered alignment and biomechanics of the spine are related to higher rates of disability and mortality.

The reason individuals like yourself choose chiropractic care for the treatment of injuries sustained in MVA’s is simple – chiropractic care is exceptional in the treatment of soft tissue injuries, especially those relating to the spine. Since the most common injuries associated with MVA’s are sprains and strains of the spinal muscles and ligaments, it’s only natural that chiropractic care is the treatment of choice.

Many studies have also found individuals injured in MVA’s prefer chiropractic care for the treatment of their injuries.
One such study evaluated 190 whiplash injury victims and found those who received chiropractic care reported treatment satisfaction of 100%.

What’s happening to your body right now. After trauma, your body begins the healing process. As this process happens, it is vital that we incorporate mobility into our joints. Otherwise, the internal scar tissue that forms won’t have the same motion and flexibility as the original. What this means is that you will be more susceptible to pain, lack of motion, and future injury.

Common Injuries and Symptoms

Motor vehicle accidents can result in a number of very diverse and complex injuries and symptoms. This is due to the diversity of factors involved with each MVA – i.e. vectors of the collision, size of the vehicles involved in the collision, preexisting health conditions of victims, age of victims, size and strength of victims, etc.

The following are the most commonly sustained injuries and symptoms following MVA’s:

Whiplash/Neck pain

Headaches

Back Pain

Head Injuries

Extremity (shoulder, knee, arm) Pain, Numbness, Tingling

What To Do After An Accident

Sometimes, individuals involved in motor vehicle accidents experience minimal or no symptoms for the first few weeks, but then they may start to feel the effects within about six weeks. It is important to not only receive immediate and appropriate treatment for any injuries sustained but also to document the extent of the injuries.

Failure to obtain a timely evaluation or appropriate treatment for injuries sustained in a car crash may negate your ability to receive monetary compensation for any medical bills resulting from the accident, to receive pain and suffering settlements, and compensation for workdays lost.

If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, you should have a thorough examination as soon as possible, for better long-term health.