Car Accident Chiropractor Benefits

Car accidents vary in degree of damage and injury. Still, injuries can occur during low-impact and high-velocity impact collisions. Additionally, hidden injuries are possible. If an injury is unknown, an accident victim may avoid medical or physical assessment.

Avoiding treatment can result in evolving injuries and lengthened rehab. Thus, patients should seek medical help soon after an accident. Yet, invasive and expensive medical testing may not be necessary.

Visit a chiropractor instead, and experience the chiropractic benefits of the holistic approach.

Why Is It Important To See a Car Accident Chiropractor?

Chiropractors are musculoskeletal professionals. Many people consider doctors of chiropractic only spinal therapists. The spine is only a part of the area of study for chiropractors.

Chiropractic therapy focuses on whole body cohesion. A chiropractor works to strengthen joint, nerve, and muscle connections through therapies. The primary therapeutic technique used by chiropractors is the chiropractic adjustment.

The adjustment is a spinal or joint manipulation to realign the body. Through the realignment, chiropractors can reduce pain and improve recovery time.

The violent motion of a car crash can throw the body out of alignment. A common car accident injury is a whiplash injury. Whiplash injuries lead to tight neck muscles and neck pain, even after minor fender-benders. Herniated discs are also common in car crashes.

A chiropractor is in a unique position to help ease symptoms of soft tissue and other common injuries. They can also help mitigate pain without prescription drugs or invasive procedures.

What Are the Chiropractic Benefits Following a Car Accident?

A chiropractic adjustment is only one of the techniques a chiropractor can use after car crashes. Other methods a doctor of chiropractic might use include massage therapy, exercises, etc.

Patients can be leery of chiropractic care. Many people assume that injury repair requires surgeries or medications. Yet, holistic approaches are centuries-old and still find favor in many cultures.

Chiropractic care, despite the stigmas, is a proven and effective therapy. The focus on musculoskeletal alignment makes it beneficial for many car accident injuries.

Aside from pain relief, chiropractic therapy carries many benefits for accident victims.

1. Inflammation Reduction

Inflammation is a fundamental body response to injury. The body sends white blood cells and other cells to help heal an injury and fight infection. Unfortunately, chronic or sustained inflammation can cause problems, slowing the healing process.

Chiropractic therapy can help reduce inflammatory responses. Chiropractors help realign muscles, joints, nerves, and bones.

The realignment helps the body’s biomechanics return to normal, reducing inflammatory cell production. The balance can minimize swelling and curb inflammation.

2. Noninvasive Treatment

Chiropractic care is non-invasive. A doctor of chiropractic works with imaging and proven techniques to rehabilitate injuries.

Sometimes, surgeries and other invasive therapies are necessary to heal the body. Still, invasive procedures are a last resort. Surgery can increase rehabilitation times and often come with other risk factors.

While chiropractic care may also come with risks, the risks are minimal. Thus, seeking noninvasive therapy before more severe measures is likely a good thing.

3. Pain Relief

Many car accident victims find the days after the accident most painful. A visit to your primary care physician may result in a prescription for pain medication. While pain medicine is sometimes warranted, it is not always.

Chiropractors cannot prescribe medications, but they can help with pain relief. Spinal adjustments and other manipulations can help relieve pain symptoms.

A car accident can throw your musculoskeletal system out of whack. Chiropractic therapy helps realign the body, improve proper function, and relieve pain.

4. Scar Tissue Reduction

Scar tissue can often result from improper alignment. When muscles and joints work against each other, it results in repetitive tears. The tears continue to heal and reopen, resulting in scar tissue.

Chiropractors can reduce the level of scar tissue following an accident with adjustments. The manipulations help realign the joints and muscles, permitting intended movement. When in alignment, the muscles and joints work in tandem, reducing tears.

5. Range of Motion Restoration

Typical car crash injuries include whiplash and other soft tissue issues. The injuries can impede a victim’s range of motion. More often than not, reduced range of motion results from inflammation or misalignment.

Chiropractors can reduce swelling and improve alignment through chiropractic adjustments and other techniques. With enough time and effort, patients can see significant gains in motion. Whether a patient experiences complete restoration depends on the injury and patient.

6. Early Intervention of Hidden Injuries

Soft tissue injuries, like whiplash, are often considered hidden injuries. The term refers to the delay in symptoms. A car accident is a traumatic event that results in adrenaline production. Adrenaline masks pain receptors allowing injuries to “hide.”

Chiropractors understand the nature of car accident injuries. They can perform imaging tests to determine the presence of injuries. Imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can help chiropractors assess the soft tissues. The tests can help chiropractors treat hidden injuries before symptoms occur.

How Long After an Accident Should You See a Chiropractor?

A car accident victim should seek medical attention following a collision. Treating injuries quickly is important, especially after auto accidents, to prevent further injury and racking up more medical bills in the future.

The general rule is to wait no longer than three days to visit a medical professional, but sooner is better. You do not want to wait longer than three days to see a chiropractor. It’s best to seek treatment from a chiropractor immediately. Waiting longer than 72-hours can result in increased pain and longer recovery.

The first three days are the window for early diagnosis and treatment of hidden injuries. After that, patients often report a decreased range of motion, stiffness, and pain.

How Often Should You See a Chiropractor, and How Long Will Injuries Take To Heal After a Car Accident?

The frequency of chiropractic visits and recovery time depends on your injuries. Some patients will only need one or two appointments every couple of weeks or less. Other patients may need more frequent therapy. The timeline is something only your chiropractor can help you determine.

If you experienced an auto accident, a licensed chiropractor could assess your injuries and formulate a treatment plan. For Brooklyn, New York natives, you can schedule an appointment with one of the top services in the state. Our doctors accept no-fault insurance, and can also work with your personal injury attorney or insurance company if needed.

Contact Metro Healthcare Partners to schedule an appointment or free consultation from one of our car accident chiropractors.