When Accidents Occur See Your Chiropractor for Help
When accidents occur, everything gets pushed out of place, and getting back to normal can be a real effort. After the initial checkout through the ER, or your doctor, you may find yourself still dealing with the accident aftermath. Lower back or neck pain and whiplash may occur, requiring treatment.
A friend of mine suffered whiplash recently. She was driving home in rush hour in the rain, when someone clipped the edge of her bumper and spun her across all of the lanes of traffic. She landed in the median facing the wrong way.
Stunned and confused, she went through the aftermath of the accident, ER and a doctor’s examination. Later when she still felt stiff and sore with a range of symptoms she visited a chiropractor to help her get back to normal.
Understanding Whiplash
The Ameican Chiropractic Association says whiplash injuries often cause a sprain and strain of the neck. The ligaments that help support and protect the vertebrae are torn causing the sprain. In addition muscles and tendons are stretched beyond normal limits. And the discs between the vertebrae can be torn. Vertebrae can even be fractured or dislocated. Being aware of the possible injuries, monitoring for symptoms, and getting prompt follow up treatment is important.
ACS Signs of Whiplash
The most common symptom is pain and stiffness in the neck. Symptoms may be seen in the front and back of the neck and turning the head often intensifies the pain. Headache at the base of the skull is also common and pain may extend down into the shoulders, arms or upper back and chest.
Patients may also feel dizzy, have trouble swallowing and have blurred vision. Most of these symptoms will disappear, but if they persist it is very important to call your doctor and to go into ER.
Vertigo, irritability, fatigue and confusion may also show up. It is important to know that signs and symptoms do not develop until two to 48 hours after the injury. So someone may assume they are fine, only to need treatment a few hours later. If new signs or increased pain begins, go into ER or call your doctor.
Visiting the Chiropractor
If neck pain, lower back pain or whiplash symptoms continue after an accident, the chiropractor may be able to help. The initial examination will include a spinal adjustment and a complete review of medical history along with a discussion of the pain. The chiropractor’s goal will be to relieve pain without using medication or surgery.
Cold and heat treatments along with therapy can provide some short term relief. The chiropractor will continue to monitor the patient’s symptoms and activity levels and work to restore his normal routine.