If you have sustained an injury in a motor vehicle accident, you may suffer from different kinds of physical and emotional pain. Getting professionally evaluated by a physical medicine doctor can reveal the problems you may not even know and help you recover from critical conditions.
Let’s look at how important auto injury care is to your recovery and long-term well-being and where you can go in Delaware for outstanding auto injury care.
Common Sites of Auto Injury
Auto accidents affect many parts of the body, including the musculoskeletal system (bones, muscles, joints, and connective tissues), nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves), circulatory system (heart and blood vessels), and more. Sadly, many people think an accident must involve high speed and impact to cause damage.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Many injuries are minor–even hidden–but can cause many physical and emotional changes. School, work, and family responsibilities take a hit, too.
Common auto injuries include:
- Neck pain (whiplash)
- Lower back or lumbar pain
- Herniated intervertebral discs
- Shoulder pain
- Fractures, strains, sprains, and dislocations
- Burns
- Concussions
- Cuts, abrasions, and bruises
Get Evaluated Within 24 Hours
Experts state that the first 24 hours post-accident are vital to auto injury care. While you may feel basically OK after a car collision, some injuries may remain invisible or hidden unless uncovered by a thorough physical assessment. Even life-saving seat belts can cause sternal, neck, and clavicle fractures and also impact internal organs
Only a hands-on assessment and digital imaging at your hospital or rehabilitation center in Delaware will show your provider the full extent of your auto injuries. Prompt treatment relieves pain, restores mobility and function, and avoids dangerous complications.
Whiplash Is an Example
Consider one of the most common MVA injuries–whiplash. This neck injury happens in rear-end car crashes and contact sports like football. Bone, nerve, muscle, and connective tissues are strained when the head and neck suddenly snap forward and backward with high-speed and forceful impact.
As with many auto injuries in Delaware and across the nation, whiplash may exhibit only mild symptoms at first–things such as neck soreness or stiffness. However, within days, weeks, or even months, other concerning problems may arise:
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Numbness in the upper extremities
- Blurred vision
- Low back pain
So, whiplash needs immediate and professional auto injury care, even if symptoms are mild.
Acute Stress Reaction
Acute stress reaction, or ASR, is another auto injury that may develop slowly or become noticeable. Similar to PTSD, ASR consists of recurring anxiety related to the traumatic event–in this case, an auto mishap.
For instance, people with ASR may become anxious when hearing a phone ring or simply driving to the store. They may have flashbacks or nightmares about their auto accidents, and their daily function may deteriorate.
As impactful as a physical injury, acute stress reaction requires compassionate professional evaluation and therapy. Intervention and support help most people deal with their trauma and reduce anxiety episodes.
Can I Receive Auto Injury Care Near Me?
At Delaware Back Pain and Sports Rehabilitation Centers, our medical and chiropractic team is serious about auto injuries and their long-term consequences. We deliver accurate injury assessments and treatment plans. Plus, we provide emotional support and even assist you with legal and worker’s compensation claims if you have been hurt in a vehicle while discharging your job duties.
Don’t wait. If you have been hurt in a motor vehicle, call us for a consultation at a location near you. We have offices in Wilmington, Newark, Dover, and Milford, DE.
