As people become increasingly distracted while driving, fender benders seem to become more and more common. Whether you’re in a minor or major accident, they can result in a variety of painful auto injuries. If you’re in a minor accident, you may consider taking a few days off to recover from these accidents.
However, choosing to forego medical attention can lead to worsening symptoms, even when you think you’re fine. One service you should consider scheduling after getting into an accident is an appointment with your chiropractor. Expert chiropractors are trained to address a variety of auto injuries, ensuring you can comfortably return to everyday activities.
If you want to learn more about the benefits of scheduling an appointment with your chiropractor and what auto injuries they can treat, keep reading.
The Importance of Chiropractic Care After a Car Accident
Many patients turn to their chiropractor for support if they’re hurt performing everyday activities, while working out, or during pregnancy. However, chiropractic care is especially important for individuals who have recently been in a car accident. Many auto injuries start minor and may be difficult to spot until they result in a major loss of mobility and flexibility.
When you visit a chiropractor following an auto accident, you allow them to catch the smallest injuries before they lead to major discomfort. It isn’t uncommon for people in accidents to develop symptoms weeks after the accident. By going to the chiropractor, even before the symptoms present themselves, you can prevent discomfort from occurring.
Even if you think you’re feeling fine after your accident, working with a chiropractic professional is always beneficial to your health. With their support, you can heal the smallest injuries and potentially catch other problems you may have otherwise overlooked. Don’t set aside this essential care. It can make a major difference in your everyday life.
Auto Injuries Your Chiropractor Treats
1. Whiplash
One of the most common auto injuries chiropractors can help patients address is whiplash. This injury occurs when your neck experiences substantial force or pressure, like during a collision. You may experience neck stiffness, dizziness, headaches, and memory problems with whiplash. When you schedule care with a chiropractor, they can perform adjustments to realign your spine and relieve any lingering discomfort and inflammation without the use of pain medications.
2. Concussion
With the strong force of a car accident and sudden impact on your head, it isn’t uncommon for people to develop a concussion. This may leave you with chronic headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and vomiting if left untreated. When you visit a chiropractor for your concussion, they will ensure spinal alignment, which is incredibly beneficial for your vestibular system. They will also help you improve neck mobility if you’re experiencing stiffness.
3. Back and Shoulder Pain
While this might not come as a surprise, visiting a chiropractor for back and shoulder pain after a car accident is a great way to relieve symptoms. They can perform adjustments to ensure your spine is moving correctly while protecting its natural curve. Additionally, they may offer lifestyle modifications and strengthening exercises to perform in the office and at home to help support your back as you move through your recovery.
4. Herniated Discs
The sudden force of a car accident may cause your spinal discs to push through cracks in the outer layer of your spine, leading to significant nerve pain. To help patients address this injury, chiropractors may offer a variety of treatments, including spinal decompression and soft tissue therapy. These treatments aim to alleviate the pressure on surrounding nerves, helping you reduce discomfort and restore lost mobility and flexibility.
5. Headaches
If you’ve developed headaches after a car accident, your chiropractor can help you not only reduce their frequency but also identify the root cause. In some cases, headaches may indicate an additional, unknown injury. Their spinal adjustments and soft tissue therapies help alleviate tension in the muscles of your neck and shoulders, which may be the cause of these headaches. With their support, you can avoid using pain medications to treat your discomfort.
How Soon After an Accident Should You Schedule Your Appointment?
If you’re experiencing auto injuries, you should reach out to a medical professional as soon as possible for a physical examination. After you’ve seen your primary care provider or an emergency room doctor, you should reach out to your trusted chiropractic team to schedule an exam, X-rays, or adjustment.
The sooner you reach out to a trusted professional after developing auto injuries, the less likely you are to develop further complications. While you might feel fine following your accident, it is still best to reach out to a professional for a physical exam. They may be able to identify potential problems before they linger and become much worse.
Expert Care for Your Auto Injuries in Tooele County
When you’ve been in an accident, it is essential that you reach out to trusted chiropractic professionals for support. The longer you put off treatment, the worse symptoms can become. In some cases, postponing proper treatment can lead to the development of chronic pain and physical disabilities. If you’re looking for a reliable chiropractic team in the Tooele County area to help you treat auto injuries, turn to Muscle & Joint Chiropractic for support. With years of experience helping patients restore range of motion and alleviate pain, we’re confident we can do the same for you.
If you’d like to learn more about our chiropractic treatments and how we can help you recover from your auto injuries, don’t hesitate to contact us today.