A car wreck can be an emotionally and physically traumatic experience, so it is important to seek follow-up guidance and care. A chiropractor is a qualified professional capable of identifying issues that may be associated with your accident, and a non-invasive adjustment might be just what you need. There are many common signs that indicate a chiropractic visit is necessary. Consider the following 5 signs that may require chiropractic care after your accident.
Headaches
You may have experienced a concussion from the incident. If a medical doctor diagnosed you with a concussion and enough time has passed for the headaches associated with the concussion to have subsided, you may have neck misalignment. Neck misalignment occurs when two bones in the neck, often the C1 and C2 bones, become misaligned. This can lead to persistent headaches, in addition to soreness in other areas of the back. A careful chiropractic diagnosis and adjustment can address this issue through spinal adjustments.
Numbness
After ruling out other possibilities with your medical doctor, you may decide to visit a chiropractor to correct the problem of numbness following the incident. Paresthesia, or feelings of numbness under your skin, may be due to spinal misalignment, nerve damage, or an underlying pinched nerve. A chiropractor treats nerve damage by locating pinched nerves and employing spinal manipulation coupled with gentle massage.
Stiffness
Even though you might not experience pain as a dominant symptom following the accident, you may experience stiffness. This can also be caused by spinal misalignment, as well as tiny tears in muscle fibers, and a chiropractor treats this injury through soft tissue manipulation. You might have noticed that your posture has changed following the accident, and you might be compensating for the injury by holding your body differently. A chiropractor may apply additional techniques such as manual therapy and stretching to decrease stiffness.
Reduced Range of Motion
In addition to body stiffness, you might also experience a reduced range of motion. Swelling around the joints and muscle spasticity can both contribute to a decreased range of motion. A chiropractor might collaborate with you to increase your range of motion by gently maneuvering the joints past their “normal” range of motion to increase your range over time.
Soreness
Whiplash and general muscle soreness are common following accidents. The event may have caused overstretching and muscle tearing. A chiropractor may address these issues with massage, hot and cold therapy, targeted stretching exercises, and various adjustments. Chiropractors typically rely on anything involving soft-tissue adjustments and therapy for this symptom, as well.
Experts advise that you visit a chiropractor within 72 hours following a car wreck, as well as following through with the follow-up care the chiropractor recommends. Whether you are experiencing persistent headaches, numbness, stiffness, reduced range of motion, or soreness, a chiropractor can assist you in treating and managing these troubling symptoms. Tune into your body and pay attention to these signs to make the safest and most informed decision surrounding your care following your accident.
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, nor does it replace professional medical expertise or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.
Published By: Aize Perez
