Chiropractic Care For Car Accident Injuries
The statistics show that every year in the United States, 6 million car accidents occur. Of those, about half, or 3 million people are injured in the accident. While not much can be done to prevent an automobile accident, wearing your seat belt can reduce your chances of becoming one of the 90 people who die everyday by 45 percent.
No one would argue, of course, that death is a preferable outcome, but seat belts, while they save lives, can also cause bodily damage. The same is true for airbags, which work in conjunction with seat belts. Here is a look at the most frequent injuries suffered by seat belts chiropractors commonly see and what they can do for you.
Spinal Injuries
Injuries to the neck and back are very common in car accidents. The seat belt holds you in, but the sheer force of the impact from another vehicle can thrust the neck forward violently and snap it back again. This can result in whiplash. The ligaments and muscles in the neck hyperextend past their normal range of motion, resulting in pain in the shoulders and neck. A headache, dizziness, and blurred vision is not uncommon. If the jolt is severe, a concussion may result. In the worst-case scenario, there may be herniated discs or the vertebrae in the neck can fracture.
Shoulder Injuries
Years ago, automobile seat belts consisted only of lap belts. When the shoulder component was added—a valued improvement in safety—shoulder injuries became more common. This is because as the body is thrown forward, which is far better than ejection from the vehicle, the soft tissue and collar bones in the shoulders can be damaged from being tightly held in.
What Are The Common Residual Symptoms Of A Car Accident?
Being involved in a car accident, no matter how minor, almost always results in an injury of some sort. Chest, neck, shoulder, and back pain are all common. Because these injuries can limit movement, the body must compensate, which can lead to more pain in other body parts. The nerves can be damaged. Anxiety and depression often result, too. Many people suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder following an accident. The realization that no matter how safe a driver they may be isn't protection from others on the road can be terrifying, paralyzing the person with fear over the things they can't control.
How Can A Chiropractor Help?
A chiropractor can help by increasing your range of motion, reducing inflammation, which can also alleviate nerve damage, and by providing pain relief without the use of drugs that often have dangerous side effects.
For more information, get in touch with a company such as Physical Rehabilitation Centers.
