Auto Accident Chiropractic Gainesville, FL Chiropractor | Whiplash, Back Pain

Auto accident chiropractic

An auto accident is a frightening event that can have long lasting health repercussions. Car crash victims often experience chronic pain that lasts months or years after the initial accident. The good news is that those who’ve suffered an auto accident are not limited to a life of constant pain or dependence on narcotic prescription drugs. The benefits of natural chiropractic care after a car accident are numerous and include faster healing, pain management, and a better quality of life. Below are some of the most common injuries suffered in motor vehicle accidents, all of which can be treated by a chiropractor.

Types of injuries from motor vehicle accidents

Whiplash is the most frequent injury resulting from car accidents. It is usually caused by a rear end collision, but is also seen with some front end impact accidents. Even minor collisions with no visible damage to the vehicle can produce a whiplash injury. Whiplash is caused by a rapid front-to-back motion of the head. A whole constellation of symptoms called whiplash associated disorders (WAD) can result from a whiplash injury. These range from a mild headache to partial paralysis and sometimes include dizziness or vertigo. Whiplash is almost always accompanied by neck and back pain and sometimes pain radiating from the neck into the lower back. Very severe whiplash injuries can cause serious problems, such as cervical vertebrae malalignment, which results in chronic pain.

A 1996 study stated that 43 percent of patients experienced long term symptoms after suffering whiplash.

Lower back pain is less common than whiplash in car accidents, but is still a frequent complaint. Pain in the lower back is most often the result of a side impact crash, but like whiplash, may also be caused by rear end collisions. These injuries can be due to a simple soft tissue issue or spinal problems. Spine injuries that can result in low back pain include disc herniations and dislocations. These produce local pain as well as pain in the legs and might limit mobility. Oftentimes, the pain from these injuries is chronic and lasts for months or years without appropriate treatment.

The extremities aren’t spared from auto accident trauma either. Arms and legs are vulnerable in an impact and contain many joints which can be overextended or twisted. Both the upper and lower limbs have areas that are commonly injured, such as the knees, shoulders, ankles and wrists. The problem might be a simple soft tissue injury, like a contusion or bruise, or more complex, like knee and shoulder dislocations. Beyond the immediate pain, the damage can result in long term conditions, such as arthritis.

Whiplash treatment by chiropractic methods

Chiropractic treatments for whiplash are multifaceted and are designed to relieve pain and promote healing. After making a diagnosis, adjustment of the cervical spine is often the first step, but skull and facial bone adjustment and treatment modalities to lower portions of the spine may also be appropriate. Furthermore, a competent chiropractor will include other necessary treatments, like massage, icing, heat therapy and effective exercises. Cervical traction is also sometimes employed. Appropriate chiropractic care for spinal whiplash injuries is extremely effective and will help to reduce inflammation, improve mobility of the head and neck and help to avoid future complications. The study mentioned above found that in a group of whiplash patients, 93 percent reported improvement of their symptoms after chiropractic treatment.

Chiropractic treatments for lower back pain after a car accident

Over half of all car accidents end up causing low back pain to the victims. Trauma to the thoracic and lumbar spine not only causes pain in the back, but also radiculopathy, or radiation of pain to the legs. Chiropractic adjustment addresses herniated and slipped discs and puts the spine back into proper alignment. In fact, chiropractic techniques have long been known to be very effective for treatment of low back issues. Pain relief is often immediate, but sometimes takes multiple sessions for maximum results. The care plan put forth by Dr. Weigle from Absolute Health Chiropractic will be personalized to each patient’s unique situation and may possibly include cryotherapy, traction and a personalized exercise plan in addition to adjustment. These treatment methods help to increase impaired mobility and diminish daily pain.

Chiropractic treatments for limb injuries

Chiropractic care isn’t just limited to the vertebrae. Limb problems can also be effectively treated with chiropractic techniques. A car crash injury to the arm or leg often results in chronic pain, stiffness and reduced range of motion. The joints may be pushed out of alignment and become dysfunctional. Our chiropractor will properly realign the shoulders, elbows, hips, knees etc. by using adjustment methods. A treatment regimen of specific stretches and exercises will also be offered to help restore full function. Not only will properly-applied chiropractic methods reduce acute pain, but will also diminish the chances of developing chronic diseases, such as arthritis.

Benefits of chiropractic care after a car accident

Chiropractic care after a car accident offers complimentary treatments to reduce pain, increase healing and improve long term outcomes. Perhaps best of all, chiropractic therapies are all natural and do not use drugs or surgery. Patients who visit a chiropractor after suffering injuries from a motor vehicle accident experience pain relief, increased health, and a quicker return to their normal daily lives.