Car accidents can be an extremely stressful event for a variety of reasons. Between the mental shock that victims experience, the legal responsibilities between involved parties, and the auto repair required, it can be easy to forget the impact that car accidents can have on your body. Chiropractic care treats the injuries sustained from such accidents, addressing issues like whiplash, back pain, and neck injuries.

Even if you’ve walked away from a car crash without a scratch, it doesn’t mean you haven’t been physically affected by the event. Victims of car accidents often experience neck and spinal issues that will begin to show themselves anywhere from the day after the crash to weeks later.

Seeking chiropractic care following a car accident can greatly diminish the damage that your spine has incurred in addition to preventing compounded injuries.

Which Car Accident Injuries Can Be Treated by a Chiropractor?

Injuries caused by car accidents can vary widely based on the circumstances of the accident and the exact positioning of the drivers and passengers involved. However, there are a few common spine-related injuries that are seen in a vast majority of minor car accident victims, including:

Whiplash

Whiplash occurs when sudden impact forces the victim’s head to jerk back unnaturally, resulting in neck pain and decreased range of motion in the neck and shoulders. Chiropractic care treats whiplash by easing the pain, reducing inflammation and swelling, and helping to regain normal range of motion.

Chest pain/soreness

Chest pain often occurs after a car accident due to life-saving measures like seat belts and airbags. A chiropractor can introduce recovery techniques that ease the tension in the area and ensure that alignment is unaffected.

Spinal cord injuries

The jolting movements that occur during a car accident can have harmful effects on spinal alignment. In many cases, victims won’t realize that their spine has been affected by a car accident until weeks or months later when the misalignment has led to an unrelated injury. Seeking the care of a chiropractor immediately after a car accident can not only make you aware of any spinal injuries, but also put you on the path to full spinal recovery sooner rather than later.

Herniated discs

A herniated disc, or slipped disc, is a type of spinal injury in which one of the discs of your spinal cord has been forcefully moved out of place. Regular chiropractic care is crucial to realign your spinal cord, and a licensed chiropractor can advise whether or not surgery is required.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident recently, don’t wait. Contact Veeva today.