HOW CHIROPRACTIC CAN HELP YOU AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT

Even car crashes at extremely low speeds can cause a serious amount of damage to your body. Studies show that many injuries take place in accidents under 20 miles per hour. Image what could happen if you are involved in a car crash at a high speed! Even if you don’t experience immediate pain, it is very wise and highly recommended to visit a chiropractor after a car accident to make sure that you spine hasn’t become misaligned and that your body has not sustained any other injuries that are perhaps, at this point in time, unknown to you.

There are dozens of wrecks every day in Las Vegas—some major, some minor—and many leave their victims injured, sometimes for the rest of their lives. Many that are involved in a car accident think that they are fine because they don’t experience any initial pain. Remember, just because you are not experiencing any pain does not mean that you are not hurt! This is a common misconception made by many, but almost all car crashes jolt the body to some degree. Many experience shock since their bodies are in fight-or-flight mode, which blocks the pain from being felt. Some people experience pain the next day, while it can takes weeks or months for some to experience their injuries.

Problems such as whiplash can typically be felt within the first few days. Whiplash is a result of a jolt to the spine and is felt in the neck or back region. Some cases of whiplash just cause mild pain because the muscles tense up, but more severe cases can cause excruciating pain and can misalign vertebrae in some individuals. There are also many more injuries that can occur, such as herniated discs or bone fractures. These types of accidents can cause chronic problems if not taken care of immediately, which is why it is important to be seen by a chiropractor as soon as possible. Here is what you can expect:

Chiropractors specialize in complementary and alternative medicine. They diagnose, treat, and prevent disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system. A chiropractor will use manual techniques to manipulate the positions of vertebrae to alleviate pain and maintain correct positions.

When visiting a chiropractor after a car crash, it is important to tell them as much as possible about the car crash so they can recreate the scenario and inspect all areas that may be affected. If possible, it’s a good idea to write down and bring a summary of everything you remember about the accident, including the area of your car that was impacted, as well as the position in which you were seated, the position you ended up in after the accident, and any symptoms that you may feel.

The chiropractor may want to conduct an X-ray to check for fractures and will probably conduct a full inspection of your neck and back. After their examination and diagnosis, they will form a plan of treatment to get you on your way to a full recovery. There are several methods of reducing muscle stiffness and pain and they will probably do an adjustment to correct anything that may be out of place.

Chiropractors are relatively cheap and often cost much less for the diagnosis and treatment than a medical doctor. Medical doctors aren’t as familiar with the specifics of the neck and back so they often order MRI’s and other expensive scans when a chiropractor can identify the issues immediately, without all the extra expenses. Most chiropractors accept health insurance as well.

With all of the high-traffic areas in Las Vegas, it is likely that you may find yourself the unlucky victim of a car accident at some point. If you are involved in a car accident, don’t make the common mistake that so many do and avoid seeking medical attention. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Ted Sim as soon as possible.