Chiropractic Care and Motor Vehicle Accidents
A motor vehicle accident has the ability to turn an individual's life upside down. When a person is injured in a motor vehicle accident they can suffer from neck injuries, inflamed joints, torn muscles and internal bruising. It is imperative that motor vehicle accident victims get the proper care to heal their injuries. Without proper care, a person could experience many years of discomfort, pain, and possible limited mobility.
According to the World Health Organization there are more than 38 million people injured annually in motor vehicle accidents. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau reported more than 10,000 injuries from motor vehicle accidents on an annual basis. Those who drive motorcycles were reported to have an injury rate six times higher than those who drove other motor vehicles.
A chiropractor knows how critical it is that a patient heal correctly from a motor vehicle accident. Chiropractors also realize that the best care in a motor vehicle accident is prompt care.
One of the major causes of spinal injuries are motor vehicle accidents and each year chiropractors treat patients who have been injured due to motor vehicle accidents. The neck is one of the most vulnerable areas of the body when individuals are involved in a motor vehicle accident. It isn't uncommon for individuals involved in a motor vehicle accident to suffer from soft tissue damage in the neck of upper back.
A chiropractor may help an individual involved in a motor vehicle accident by offering them a couple of options for treatment. The most common treatment is manipulation of the areas that have been injured to speed up the healing process and reduce the pain from the motor vehicle accident. Another option chiropractic care offers is the use of an exercise program that caters to the exact injuries and needs of the individual.
Chiropractic Care After a Motor Vehicle Accident is Important
The longer a person afflicted by a motor vehicle accident takes to properly treat their problem, the longer it may take for chiropractic care to be effective. Some patients don't realize that they were injured in a motor vehicle accident until they begin to suffer chronic neck or shoulder pain.
In some cases, patients don't feel the full impact of their injuries from the motor vehicle accident until the next day or even longer. It can take some time because inflammation can be a slow process. Severe headaches are also a symptom of being injured in a motor vehicle accident.
These symptoms are often tied to the neck and spinal cord which may be treated by a chiropractor. A person that was recently in a motor vehicle accident and is suffering from any type of pain should consult a chiropractor or medical doctor.
Individuals who suffer from whiplash from a motor vehicle accident should consult a chiropractor for a complete check-up. In cases where possible whiplash has been caused by a motor vehicle accident, a medical doctor will refer the patient to see a chiropractor.
After most motor vehicle accidents, medical doctors will often prescribe strong pain medications or muscle relaxants. Two common medications prescribed to motor vehicle accident victims are Cyclobenzaprine and Vicodin. Unfortunately, the medication only covers up the problem, it doesn't actually solve it. A chiropractor may help a motor vehicle accident victim by treating the source of the problem and eventually eliminating the need for heavy medication.
A chiropractor can perform the x-rays that is needed to locate the problem. Researchers have discovered that individuals who suffered in a motor vehicle accident and saw a chiropractor reported a greater decrease in pain and an increase in mobility when compared to individuals who simply wore a neck collar and tried to rest. ref
Unfortunately, some patients who have been injured in a motor vehicle accident still complain of persistent pain even after being treated. Thanks to chiropractic care motor vehicle accident victims have a chance for recovery. The best way to avoid suffering from critical injury in a motor vehicle accident is to ensure safety belt use and practice defensive driving.
