By Dr. Brian Kosik
Read Time: 2 minutes
When the unfortunate event of an automobile accident occurs, you should know exactly what to do to get relief from any symptoms you may be feeling. Chiropractic provides relief along with future benefits. We should be your first option for help with injuries.
Mechanics of an Auto Accident
There is a lot going on during a motor vehicle accident, both in the environment surrounding you, and inside your body. There is a tremendous amount of force applied to the body at different points. In a standard fender bender, there is a high likelihood that you sustain whiplash injuries. Whiplash can be experienced in the neck, most commonly, and in the lower back.
These injuries occur when the body absorbs a force that it was not prepared for. When the body is at rest and there is no warning of any change to that, the muscles and ligaments are stable. When there is a sudden, unexpected force like a bump from the vehicle behind you, the body tries to compensate for this force and overcorrects. At rest the neck is in its normal anatomical position, when hit from behind, the head shifts backwards and the muscles in the front of the neck contract or activate to bring the head back to neutral position. When this happens, the muscles tighten so much that the head actually moves forward past neutral.
This causes sprains and strains to the ligaments and tendons in the back of the neck. Patients report feeling sore and achy after an accident like this because the initial injuries are mainly to the soft tissue. Along with the soft tissue inflammation, the joints of the spine also move and shift throughout this process.
Chiropractic adjustments and different therapeutic procedures that we offer in the office can control the inflammation and reduce the amount of pain that you may be feeling. Neck braces, in some cases, are recommended to limit the strain on the neck and take some pressure off of the joints to promote healing. Electric muscle stimulation, performed in the office, also helps to reduce swelling and pain and promote healing to the areas affected by the accident.
The Importance of Chiropractic Care
After going through a motor vehicle accident, there are so many things to take care of. Your health and well-being should be at the top of that list. Often I hear patients tell me that they were in an accident a few days ago and are just beginning to experience pain and symptoms. There is an adrenaline rush after being in an accident which causes pain signals to be suppressed. It’s very common to feel pain and soreness days after an accident. This is why it’s important to consult us after an accident. We can help with symptom management and relief immediately.
When the joints, muscles, and ligaments sustain injury in an accident, we can help get everything back in line, and get your life back on track.
Call our office at 610-689-3700 to schedule your chiropractic appointment today. Have questions? Email us at Contact@BealerChiroPlus.com.
