Auto accidents are known to cause a variety of injuries that may not be readily apparent directly after the collision. These injuries can include sprains and strains, herniated discs and whiplash. The good news is that our chiropractors provides auto accident injury treatments for individuals who have recently or not so recently been in a collision.
Common Injuries Experienced in a Car Accident
When you are in a car accident, your body ricochets between the seatbelt and seat, which can cause whiplash. If you have your hands on the steering wheel or stick-shift, your wrist may experience sprains and strains, and your knees may impact the dash, causing bruising and injuries to the knees. You may also experience shoulder injuries from being held back by the seatbelt and herniated discs in your lower back and neck.
Signs You Have a Car Accident Injury that Needs Chiropractic Treatment
Depending on your auto accident injury, you may experience a wide range of symptoms. If you have whiplash, you may experience an increase in headaches, a stiff or sore neck and sensitivity to light and sound. In severe instances, you may also experience pain and soreness in your upper back and tingling down one or both arms.
If you have a joint injury in your knees, wrists or shoulders, you may experience pain, inflammation, and loss of range of motion. If you experience a herniated disc during your accident, you may have pain in the area of the disc herniation as well as pain that radiates into the legs.
Auto Accident Injury Treatments from Our Chiropractors
Our auto accident injury chiropractor provides treatments for whiplash, shoulder, wrist and knee injuries and herniated discs that are the result of a car accident.
Chiropractic Adjustments and Care
Chiropractic adjustments and our chiropractic care modalities are used to treat joint misalignments in the back, neck and extremity joints. These treatments help decrease healing times, reduce inflammation and improve the range of motion of the joints.
Targeted Massage Therapy
Targeted massage therapy is used to help relax muscles and tendons in order to help reduce pain and inflammation while improving localized circulation. Massage therapy can be utilized before or after chiropractic adjustments.
Spinal Decompression Therapy
Spinal decompression therapy is used for treating herniated discs in the back and neck and unpinching compressed nerves. The treatment involves applying a targeted force to the specific area of the back or neck with the disc herniation in order to increase the spaces between the vertebrae. This gives the disc room to retract and heal.
Auto Accident FAQ
What Do You Do After an Auto Accident Injury? Ask a Chiropractor!
Being involved in an accident can be total chaos.
Whose fault was it? Are you going to be okay? Who do you need to call, and what paperwork do you need to file? Answering these questions while also in pain is a challenge. Chiropractors help victims of auto accidents and other injuries with treatment, referrals, and claims system insights that will streamline your recovery.
Here are a few Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that will put you on the right track, courtesy of the Southmetro Chiropractic Center and Affiliates in Jonesboro, GA.
Immediately After a Car Accident
Do I need to go to a hospital?
While every injury is different, it's always best to let emergency services examine you as soon as possible. Don't even wait days for an exam.
Do I need documentation?
After an accident, it's understandable if you don't have most of your documentation available. It's good to travel with at least state-level identification and insurance.
Make sure to have the following information ready:
- Home address
- Phone number and/or email
- Emergency contact (family member, legal guardian, close friends, school leadership, sponsor) phone number and/or email
- Insurance card
- Primary care provider (your main doctor, surgeon, or chiropractor)
- Medical records from other facilities (other doctors' offices, other hospitals, military and/or Veterans Affairs records)
When You Get Home
Can I get help with errands at home?
If you're not able to walk, have difficulty using your arms or hands, or need assistance at home due to your injuries, getting temporary at-home care is easy. A chiropractor can assess your situation and recommend professionals who have different per-hour rates, specific activities, and times.
How do I get to and from medical care?
Especially with an auto accident injury, you might not be able to drive or may not have a working vehicle. A chiropractor can help you plan a route, find reasonable transportation (especially if ride-share services aren't available), and accessibility options such as wheelchairs.
At the Chiropractor
What can a chiropractor do?
Chiropractors can help with back pain, neck pain, nerve issues, and general body adjustment by performing chiropractic adjustments. They also assist with making lifestyle changes, such as diet, exercise plans, and hobbies, that can help speed along your recovery.
Do chiropractors provide massage therapy?
While not all chiropractors have massage therapy professionals, Southmetro Chiropractic Center and Affiliates delivers therapeutic massages for pain management. After chiropractic adjustments as needed, getting a massage helps relieve back pain, neck pain, and whiplash discomfort.
