Car accident injuries are not always visible. Many people sustain damage to their bodies that isn’t seen or even felt immediately. In fact, it isn’t at all unusual for patients to walk away from a vehicle collision with what seems like no injuries, only to start experiencing problems later on. If these are left untreated, the consequences could have a very real impact on your ability to live an active and pain-free life.

Fortunately, there is a way to reduce the risk of experiencing physiological consequences after a car accident such as pain and loss of mobility – visiting a chiropractor.

A chiropractor is someone who is specially educated and trained in dealing with problems affecting the musculoskeletal system – something which is commonly affected after a car accident. This is because the impact sustained in most car accidents places sudden, severe pressure onto the spine and other joints within the musculoskeletal system.

Common problems experienced after a car accident

Whiplash. Whiplash is the term used to describe back, shoulder and neck pain that occurs when your head is quickly snapped in one direction – something which often happens when you are involved in a sudden impact or emergency braking scenario.

Herniated disc. Problems with your intervertebral discs are fairly common after a car accident. These are the soft, spongy cushions between the bones of your spine that absorb impacts and enable you to bend and twist. A sudden impact may cause a disc to push out of its usual position. This can trigger intense pain and limit your ability to move around. Alternatively, the disc may become damaged and rupture, causing the gel inside to leak out and irritate the surrounding nerves.

Muscle, ligament and nerve pain (soft tissue damage). Your body contains an array of muscles, ligaments, and nerves. If any of these become damaged during a car accident, it may cause you to experience pain and mobility problems.

By seeking chiropractic care after a car accident, not only can your professional treat any obvious injuries that you have sustained to your musculoskeletal system, but they could also help prevent further damage from occurring.

Key benefits of visiting a chiropractor after a car accident

There are a variety of benefits associated with visiting a chiropractor after a car accident.

A chiropractor can help to reduce pain and help your body to heal faster

If you have sustained soft tissue damage as a result of your car accident, you will be keen on these to heal as soon as possible. This will help restore your former mobility and mean that you can move around without pain or compromise. Chiropractic care has been shown to be beneficial in expediting the healing process. This is because correcting the position of your spine can help to take the pressure off of your muscles nerves and encourages healthy blood flow to the area so that your body can heal.

Chiropractic care can reduce inflammation in the body

Inflammation is a very normal side effect of a car accident. It occurs because the extreme forces placed on your body during breaking or impact can cause dozens of micro-tears in soft tissue. These are usually too small to detect on imaging tests but are sufficient enough to cause you to feel sore. Inflammation occurs in the injured area, but often this causes more pain. Chiropractic manipulations can encourage your body to release an anti-inflammatory chemical that reduces internal swelling, thus reducing pain and enabling healing.

A chiropractor can help to reduce your pain without the need for medications

Many people dislike taking medications. Some are concerned about what other effects it may have on their body, while others have reservations due to stories about patients becoming dependent on pain-relieving drugs. There is also a possibility that pain relief can mask the cause of pain, preventing it from being properly treated. Chiropractic care can eliminate pain associated with injuries sustained in a car accident without the need for prescription drugs.

A chiropractor can help you move around safely and comfortably again

A combination of inflammation and pain tends to be the cause of the loss of mobility in our back and neck after a car accident. This can make it difficult to move around normally, and it may be impossible for you to participate in some activities that you enjoy. Chiropractic care reduces inflammation and speeds up the healing process whilst helping to mobilize your joints. This makes it possible for you to get back to normal much more quickly.

Chiropractic care can prevent future long-term pain

Injuries often lead to the development of scar tissue, and this can cause stiffness and discomfort that leads to chronic pain. If left untreated or not treated properly it could lead to long term pain. Chiropractic care can focus on areas of healing to reduce the development of scar tissue and limit your risk of long-term pain and problems in the future.

If you have been involved in a car accident, don’t delay, get checked out by an experienced chiropractor today. You may not have any obvious injuries, but a visit to a chiropractor can address any underlying injuries that may not have yet caused symptoms and help prevent unnecessary pain and suffering in the future. This is the best way to avoid the worst of the pain and to have the injury resolved, so it does not linger far into the future. Call us today to schedule an appointment.