Car accidents, no matter how big or small, can be traumatic to the body. Because virtually every car accident tends to cause a jolt to the body, the impact can throw the delicate spine out of alignment.
Let’s talk about some key things your chiropractor may advise you to do and not do after you have been involved in a car accident, and where you can go for an expert spine evaluation in Wilmington and across Delaware to determine whether you warrant medical treatment of any kind.
What Would a Chiropractor Recommend if I’ve Been in an Accident?
Here are a few pieces of advice from a chiropractor for if you’ve been in a car accident:
Have a Medical Assessment for Internal Injuries
Car accidents may cause injuries that you might not recognize immediately. You may feel completely fine at first, only to start noticing symptoms a few hours or days after the accident happened.
Adrenaline is largely responsible for that, as it prevents you from feeling pain for a while after having a traumatic injury. If you experience any bleeding, visible deformity, or loss of function and/or sensation, seek immediate emergency care.
If you have seen a primary care doctor and were cleared for any harmful internal injuries, then it is in your best interest to see a chiropractor for an evaluation and possible treatment of your spine. The spine goes from the back of your neck to just above your hip area in the low back, and a chiropractor can perform an assessment and treatment of any vertebrae or discs that are not in proper alignment.
Don’t Ignore Pain and Injuries After Being in an Accident
The most common injury caused by car accidents is whiplash. This is a neck injury resulting from the forceful and rapid jerking of your neck, first backward and then forward, and then straight again. When you experience this during an accident, you likely didn’t even realize it happened because it happens so quickly.
Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain that worsens with movement, headaches, neck stiffness, difficulty moving your head, and pain in your upper body.
Consider Chiropractic Treatment for Back Pain and Neck Pain
Chiropractic care can help to relieve symptoms of an injury, like headaches and pain. Your chiropractor may use the following methods:
- Spinal manipulation – Adjusts your spine alignment back into place
- Manual therapy – Includes massage and stretching to promote recovery from the damage that was caused to the spine during the accident
- Joint bracing or taping – Involves wearing a brace or medical tape to facilitate healing in damaged joints
- Electrical stimulation – Involves the targeted use of mild electric currents to decrease inflammation
- Flexion distraction – Conducted while you lie down face-down on a special table that moves to allow gentle spinal adjustments
Chiropractic Relief for Car Accident Pain in Wilmington, DE
If you’ve been in a car accident and are looking for lasting pain relief that works, look no further than Delaware Back Pain & Sports Rehabilitation Centers. We have a team of highly experienced chiropractors who can give you the comprehensive and compassionate care you deserve.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call our friendly staff today at (302) 529-8783 or fill out our online appointment request form. We look forward to serving you at one of our convenient locations in Wilmington, Dover, and throughout Delaware!
