Common Auto Accident Injuries and How Chiropractic Care Helps

Common Auto Accident Injuries and How Chiropractic Care Helps

Auto accidents are a leading cause of injuries, impacting thousands of individuals daily. Injuries sustained in these incidents can vary in severity, but even minor accidents can lead to long-lasting discomfort or chronic pain if not treated properly. Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive, drug-free option for managing and alleviating pain associated with common auto accident injuries, allowing the body to heal effectively. Let’s explore some of the most common injuries resulting from auto accidents and how chiropractic care can help promote recovery.

Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries from rear-end collisions. It occurs when the neck is abruptly jolted back and forth, stretching the muscles, ligaments, and tendons beyond their normal range. Symptoms often include neck pain, headaches, dizziness, and restricted range of motion.

While whiplash is commonly associated with the neck, back whiplash can occur when the spine is subjected to a similar rapid and forceful movement. This often happens during car accidents or other high-impact events where the torso is thrown forward and backward, or side to side, straining the mid-back (thoracic) and lower back (lumbar) regions. Symptoms often include pain or stiffness in the middle or low back, muscle spasms or tightness, radiating pain to the buttocks or legs, and weakness or tingling in the lower extremities. Other symptoms may include fatigue, walking or balance issues and restricted range of motion.

Chiropractors address whiplash by using gentle spinal adjustments and therapeutic exercises to restore proper alignment, reduce pain, and improve mobility. Myofascial therapy may also be employed to relieve muscle tension, pain, and range of motion. In some cases, spinal decompression will be used to take pressure off the discs and nerves when there is a disc herniation in the neck or the back. Shockwave therapy can also reduce pain and improve range of motion for cases not responding to traditional methods. At Calibration we take a comprehensive approach to care alleviating whiplash symptoms and promoting a faster and longer lasting recovery.

Back Pain and Herniated Discs

Back pain and herniated discs are common injuries following auto accidents, often resulting from the significant stress placed on the spine during a collision. Back pain can range from mild strains and sprains to more severe conditions like herniated or bulging discs, where the inner material of a disc protrudes and compresses nearby nerves, causing pain, numbness, or tingling in the back and legs.

Chiropractic care effectively addresses these issues with targeted spinal adjustments and spinal decompression therapy, which realign the vertebrae, relieve nerve pressure, and reduce disc herniation without invasive procedures. Complementary therapies like cold laser therapy further support recovery by reducing inflammation, promoting healing in affected muscles and tissues, and alleviating discomfort, offering an integrated approach to managing and resolving back injuries.

Headaches, Migraines, and Concussions

Headaches, migraines, and concussions are common after an auto accident, often stemming from neck and shoulder tension or direct trauma to the head. Headaches can range from mild, tension-based discomfort to severe, migraine-like pain, while concussions—a type of traumatic brain injury—can lead to symptoms like headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light, cognitive difficulties, and emotional changes. Both conditions can be exacerbated by tension in the cervical spine or strained muscles.

Chiropractic care plays a vital role in recovery by addressing spinal misalignments, improving blood flow, reducing nerve irritation, and relieving muscle tension. Techniques like spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and neuromuscular re-education not only alleviate post-accident headaches and migraines but also support neurological recovery from concussions, improving balance, coordination and accelerating healing.

Shoulder and Arm Pain

Accidents can lead to injuries that radiate pain through the shoulders and arms. Often, this pain is due to a pinched nerve in the cervical spine, or the shoulder region caused by the impact of the collision.

Chiropractic adjustments can relieve nerve compression by correcting spinal alignment. Chiropractors may also recommend exercises to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and reduce pain in the shoulders and arms, helping patients regain full function in these areas.

Soft Tissue Injuries

In addition to injuries to the spine, auto accidents can also cause soft tissue injuries like sprains, strains, and bruising. Soft tissue injuries can be painful and may restrict movement if not treated appropriately.

Chiropractic care includes various treatments to address soft tissue injuries. Cold laser therapy can reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and speed up the healing process. These therapies, combined with chiropractic adjustments, provide a comprehensive approach to managing and recovering from soft tissue injuries.

Take the First Step Towards Recovery Today

After an auto accident, chiropractic care offers a comprehensive approach to managing injuries and promoting recovery. At Calibration Chiropractic + Functional Health, we prioritize each patient's unique needs and provide a range of treatments to relieve pain, restore mobility, and support overall health.

If you have been in an auto accident, do not let lingering pain hold you back. Reach out to Calibration Chiropractic + Functional Health to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards healing. Visit our office in Mansfield, Texas, or call (817) 779-3435 today.