Car accidents are very common across the U.S. but are particularly prevalent here in the Sunshine State. Each year, there are more than 395,000 auto accidents in Florida, and many of those crashes lead to serious injury.
Auto accident injuries require prompt treatment to heal properly. Chiropractic care is an ideal option for many of the most common car accident injuries, as it can realign the spine, reduce inflammation, prevent nerve impingement, and relieve pain.
The most common auto accident injuries include:
Whiplash
Whiplash is an injury that occurs when the neck is rapidly forced forward and back, like a whip. Unfortunately, whiplash is common even in minor auto accidents and can occur if the vehicle is only moving at a speed of two to three miles per hour.
Many car accident victims don’t realize that they have whiplash. The symptoms can take time to set in and may be easily written off as different issues. So, it’s important to visit your doctor for an evaluation promptly after an auto accident, even if you’re not experiencing any symptoms. Your doctor may recommend a variety of treatment methods, including chiropractic care and physical therapy, to resolve whiplash symptoms.
Possible signs and symptoms of whiplash include:
- Neck, shoulder, and back pain
- Neck stiffness
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Dizziness
- Pain and/or numbness in the arm or hand
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Focus and/or memory issues
Herniated Disc
Spinal discs are located in between each of the vertebrae that make up the spine. The discs absorb impact and cushion the vertebrae. A herniated disc occurs when a tear forms in the disc’s tough exterior and the soft interior protrudes from the tear.
The impact of a car accident can cause a herniated disc. If the protruding disc interior, called the nucleus, presses on nearby nerves, a variety of symptoms can result.
The most common symptoms of a herniated disc include:
- Back, arm, and/or leg pain
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness/tingling that radiates from the affected nerve
Chiropractic care can help resolve symptoms of a herniated disc relieving pressure on the spinal nerves. Additionally, by improving the alignment of the spine, your chiropractor can increase blood flow to the damaged disc and support your body’s healing process.
Soft Tissue Damage in the Neck and Back
The impact of a car accident often affects the soft tissues in the neck and back. After a crash, victims may experience torn, strained, or sprained muscles, tendons, and ligaments. A sprain occurs when a ligament becomes stretched or torn; a strain occurs when a tendon or muscle becomes stretched or torn.
Soft tissue injuries can cause pain, stiffness, reduced function, and muscle spasms. To relieve these symptoms in the neck and back, chiropractic care is an ideal treatment method. Your chiropractor can help alleviate pain and stiffness caused by soft tissue damage while working to support your body’s natural healing process.
The team at Wasserman Chiropractic is here to help you after an auto accident. We’ll perform a thorough evaluation and develop a treatment plan so that you can recover quickly after a crash. Contact us today to book an appointment!
