3 Common Car Accident Injuries That Chiropractic & Physical Therapy Can Help
Did you know that over three million Americans experience whiplash injuries each year? Car accidents occur all the time—and even the smallest rear-end incident can take a major toll on your body. The forces during impact can cause joint misalignments and soft tissue damage and often lead to chronic pain if left untreated.
Before you start relying on pain medication, consider chiropractic care and physical therapy. These natural and holistic treatment options:
Encourage healing
Relieve pain
Restore musculoskeletal health
Whiplash, back pain, and joint injuries are common after auto accidents. So, can chiropractic care in Tampa help? In this article, we outline how chiropractic care and physical therapy guide you toward making a full recovery.
As your head is jerked backward and forward during impact, the vertebrae in your neck (cervical spine) take a hit, and the soft tissue around them is overstretched. The result? Pain, stiffness, headaches—and sometimes, dizziness.
Your chiropractor will carefully examine your neck for any misalignments and perform gentle but firm manipulations to restore the alignment of your vertebrae. When it comes to whiplash, “rest can make rusty.” Through gentle exercises and manual therapy (massage), your physio will work the soft tissue around your neck to restore range of motion and reduce inflammation through enhanced blood flow—which relieves pain.
Chronic back pain is common after accidents—the trauma can directly impact your spinal health. Neck and lower back pain are the most common complaints when the spine is affected after trauma. Inflammation in these areas puts pressure on your nerves, and chronic pain soon follows.
The best way to treat pain is to go to the source. Your chiropractor will spend time examining and restoring the alignment of your vertebrae. With the right adjustments, you can get back to your regular activities in no time. You might hear some pops or clicks—that’s normal! Once your spinal alignment is restored, healing begins.
Manual therapy targets stiffness and relieves nerve pressure and pain. Stabilization exercises are helpful to strengthen your core muscles which help preserve and protect the optimal position of your spine. Expect to discuss your posture and any elements of your daily life that might contribute to poor spine health—your chiropractor and physiotherapist will advise you on relevant changes to make.
The angle of impact, the position of your seatbelt, and the forces on your body can lead to one or more joint injuries following a car accident. Shoulders and knees are often bruised (soft tissue damage) and jarred. Your chiropractor will examine your joints and ensure their optimal alignment.
Your chiropractor or physiotherapist will also spend time stretching and working the affected joint. Manual therapy will encourage blood flow and reduce stiffness and inflammation. Targeted exercises help to restore range of motion (flexibility) and strengthen the surrounding muscles—they also help prevent further injuries. Pain relief is a welcome side effect, but you might feel tender after your session.
Whether your accident was last week or years ago, chronic pain doesn’t have to be a permanent part of your life. Contact our team of professionals at Tampa Spine and Wellness, and we’ll create an individualized treatment plan that restores your flexibility and strength and treats your pain—natural.
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