Injuries such as whiplash, spine injuries, and brain injuries may seem minor at first and then cause more serious symptoms later on. Ignoring symptoms and not seeking appropriate care can lead to ongoing health issues. Receiving chiropractic treatment may help address certain musculoskeletal injuries and symptoms after a car accident.
Many people are injured in car accidents without realizing it and think that their problems are minor. However, if you are dealing with injury symptoms, then you shouldn’t ignore them. Not every car accident out of the millions that happen in America every year results in injuries, but many do. Wall Family Chiropractic has specialized experience evaluating and treating musculoskeletal injuries from car accidents using gentle, non-invasive methods.
Injuries That May Seem Minor at First
Car accidents are scary, stressful events. A car accident can cause your adrenaline levels to be high, putting you into shock or fight-or-flight. Some car accident injuries are obvious right away, such as broken bones or lacerations. Others may not cause symptoms until later, which is why it is important to receive an appropriate medical evaluation after being in a car accident.
Some types of injuries that may be “hidden”:
1. Soft Tissue Injuries Such as Whiplash
Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries are some of the most common types of car accident injuries that may not be immediately apparent. The strong, harsh forces of a car accident can take a toll on the body’s soft tissues. Even a head jerking back and forth can strain and damage neck muscles and ligaments, which is called whiplash.
The first symptoms of soft tissue injuries you may notice are stiffness or soreness, which can turn into pain. Depending on the location of the soft tissue injury, you may also experience fatigue, headaches, poor sleep, dizziness, weakness, or numbness. Don’t ignore potential whiplash or soft tissue injury symptoms. Chiropractic care may help relieve pain, improve mobility, and address stiffness and other musculoskeletal symptoms associated with whiplash.
2. Spine Injuries
Some spine injuries are immediately apparent, such as broken vertebrae or a damaged spinal cord. Spine injuries may be severe enough to cause partial or complete paralysis. More minor spine injuries, however, may not be noticed at first. They may start with mild symptoms and worsen over time. Symptoms could start as a tingling sensation and then worsen into serious back pain. Some examples of spine injuries from car accidents include fractures, sprains, and herniated discs.
Discs are the cushions in between the vertebrae of your spine. When the softer material inside a disc pushes through a weakened or damaged outer layer, it is called a herniated disc. Symptoms associated with a herniated disc can include muscle weakness, tingling or numbness in the extremities, and pain. Early diagnosis can help determine the appropriate treatment and identify whether additional medical care is needed.
Chiropractors specialize in evaluating musculoskeletal conditions involving the spine and may provide conservative care for certain symptoms associated with disc and spine injuries after car accidents, depending on the diagnosis and severity of the injury.
3. Concussions and Other Brain Injuries
Unless it’s a severe brain injury, you may not immediately know that you have suffered from one. Even a seemingly mild bump to the head, or your brain moving rapidly inside your skull, can cause a traumatic brain injury. Your brain can become injured even in an accident that happened at a relatively low speed. A brain injury may not show symptoms right away, and when symptoms do appear, they can sometimes be mistaken for fatigue or stress. Some signs of brain injury include sleeping issues, sensitivity to stimuli, memory issues, brain fog or confusion, headaches, difficulty concentrating, and nausea.
Traumatic brain injuries are usually not visible externally, which is one of the reasons that they can go undetected. However, proper diagnosis and medical care of a suspected brain injury are important. Anyone experiencing symptoms of a concussion or traumatic brain injury after a car accident should receive appropriate medical evaluation.
Chiropractic care can play an important role in treating certain musculoskeletal injuries and symptoms after a car accident. Schedule an appointment with Wall Family Chiropractic if you were in a car accident and are experiencing neck pain, back pain, stiffness, restricted movement, or other musculoskeletal symptoms.
Using a combination of chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, strengthening exercises, and posture changes when appropriate, our team can develop a treatment approach based on your specific condition. Your treatment plan will be tailored to your symptoms, examination findings, and individual needs. Wall Family Chiropractic can help support your recovery and return to daily activities after an accident.
Schedule a Chiropractic Appointment
If you are dealing with pain after a car accident, schedule an appointment with Wall Family Chiropractic. Our team provides personalized chiropractic care for auto accident injuries, including neck pain, back pain, whiplash symptoms, headaches, and mobility problems.
The sooner you get evaluated, the sooner you can begin taking the right steps toward recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I still see a chiropractor even if I feel fine after a car accident?
There are common car accident injuries that may not show symptoms right away, so an evaluation can help identify musculoskeletal problems that may not have been obvious immediately after the crash. Even if you think you’re fine, it can be a smart idea to see an appropriate healthcare provider after being in a car accident.
Should I still go see a chiropractor even if it’s been weeks since the accident?
It may still be appropriate to seek care even if it’s not immediately after the accident. If you start noticing neck pain, back pain, stiffness, headaches, restricted movement, or other musculoskeletal symptoms after a car accident, schedule an evaluation even if it has been a few weeks.
Do I need a referral to be treated at a chiropractic clinic?
Usually, car accident injury victims do not need a referral to receive chiropractic care. You can typically contact a chiropractor directly without going through a primary care provider. Coverage, however, depends on your individual insurance policy and circumstances. Learn more about Personal Injury Protection and chiropractic care after an accident.
How do chiropractors treat whiplash?
Chiropractors may treat musculoskeletal symptoms associated with whiplash through a combination of spinal adjustments, massage therapy, mobility work, and exercises when appropriate. The goal is generally to help reduce pain and stiffness, improve movement, and restore function based on the individual patient’s condition.
How does a chiropractor identify car accident injuries?
Your initial chiropractic visit will start with a health exam and medical history review. The chiropractor may use physical tests and, when appropriate, recommend or review imaging to help identify potential musculoskeletal injuries and determine whether chiropractic care or another type of medical evaluation is appropriate.
What delayed symptoms should I watch for after a car accident?
Car accident symptoms can sometimes appear hours or days after the collision. Watch for neck or back pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, numbness or tingling, problems concentrating, changes in sleep, or reduced mobility. New, worsening, or neurological symptoms should be evaluated by an appropriate healthcare provider.
Can whiplash symptoms show up days after a car accident?
Yes. Whiplash symptoms can develop during the hours or days following an injury. Neck stiffness, pain, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, reduced range of motion, and tingling or numbness may occur after the initial collision, even when you did not notice significant discomfort immediately afterward.
What symptoms after a car accident require emergency medical care?
Certain symptoms after a crash require immediate medical attention rather than waiting for a chiropractic appointment. These may include a worsening severe headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, increasing confusion, unusual behavior, weakness, loss of coordination, unequal pupils, slurred speech, loss of consciousness, or difficulty waking up.
Can chiropractic care treat a concussion after a car accident?
A suspected concussion or traumatic brain injury should receive appropriate medical evaluation. Chiropractic care should not be presented as a treatment for the brain injury itself. Depending on the patient’s condition and medical evaluation, chiropractic care may be appropriate for related musculoskeletal problems such as neck or back pain.
What happens during a chiropractic evaluation after a car accident?
A car accident chiropractic evaluation typically begins with your health history, accident details, symptoms, and a physical examination. Depending on your condition, the chiropractor may assess movement, strength, neurological function, and areas of pain or tenderness, and determine whether additional imaging, a medical evaluation, or a referral is appropriate before recommending a treatment plan.