Why You Need to See a Chiropractor Following a Car Accident

It's very important that you receive chiropractic care if you have been in a car accident. Back and neck injuries, including whiplash, are some of the most common car-accident injuries. Since chiropractors have specialized training in treating these parts of the body, you might call a chiropractor after you get off the phone with your car-insurance company. 

Why It's Important to See a Chiropractor

Following a car accident some of the most common symptoms of a back or neck injury include:

• Pain in the neck or back
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Muscle spasms
• Numbness in arms and hands

For those who have such symptoms, it's important to see a chiropractor right away. There are some people who might not realize they have an injury after getting into a car accident because they don't feel pain right away. For some injuries like whiplash, it can take weeks or even months for symptoms to appear. Just because there is no pain or because there aren't any symptoms doesn't mean an injury hasn't been sustained, and a chiropractor can help you determine the nature of your condition.

How Chiropractors Can Help with a Car-Accident Injury

Chiropractors are healthcare professionals who have specialized education and training in diagnosing and treating neuromuscular disorders. If you have sustained an injury to your back or neck in a car accident, seeing a chiropractor has many benefits, including speeding up recovery times and reducing pain. Chiropractors use a variety of methods to treat car-accident injuries, but some of the most common methods include

• Manual manipulation—helps to remove subluxations and get the spine back into proper alignment
• Cold Laser Therapy—uses wavelengths of light that interacts with the tissue to help relieve pain
• Spinal Decompression—a type of traction therapy applied to the spine to help get bulging or herniated discs repositioned
• Electrotherapy—uses electrical currents to stimulate nerves and muscles

Other types of services some chiropractors offer that would help those who have sustained a car-accident injury include massage therapy, strengthening exercises, and heat and ice therapy.

When left untreated, car accident injuries can cause many problems down the road, such as chronic muscle tension and recurring headaches. A chiropractor can take x-rays, perform a comprehensive evaluation, and help you find the best type of treatment for your car-accident injury.

For more information about how a chiropractor can help with car-accident injuries and what treatments are available, talk to a practice such as Smith Chiropractic.