If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, you’re not alone! According to the CDC, 3 million people are injured in non-fatal car accidents in the U.S. every year. Very few of those same individuals seek care afterward. Years later, they might come into our office thinking the pain they are experiencing is unrelated, when it might have been prevented from early intervention. Not seeking chiropractic care as soon as possible after a crash doesn’t just cause physical pain for years afterward. The lifetime medical costs and lost wages can be prevented in many cases too, simply by getting the proper care in a timely manner. Here’s why you should seek chiropractic care ASAP after a car accident:
Often, you won’t even realize you’re injured.
Just because you think the crash was minor and your vehicle isn’t very damaged doesn’t mean you didn’t sustain lifelong injuries. The body protects itself by releasing endorphins and adrenaline, meaning it can take days for pain to set in. Injuries to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons can take weeks to show up. The first 72 hours, however, are very important. That’s the window of time when whiplash should be evaluated.
You’ll probably have whiplash, at a minimum.
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury that is very common in car accidents because it’s caused by a rapid back-and-forth motion, causing muscles and ligaments to unnaturally stretch and tear. Symptoms of whiplash may include headache, neck pain, reduced range of motion, arm pain, shoulder pain, lower back pain, stiffness, blurred vision, and dizziness. You may have one of these symptoms, all of them, or even none of them! (Note: Whiplash is commonly caused by car accidents, but it can also happen while playing sports or after a serious fall.) It can go away on its own or it can cause chronic neck pain and complications. Other common injuries include those to the wrists, arms, legs, ribs, and collarbones. If you had pre-existing conditions in the back, they may have been aggravated in the crash as well.
The seatbelt that saved you may have also hurt you.
Seatbelts save lives, but in the process of doing so, they often cause injuries. (Always wear your seatbelt, regardless of this fact!) Dr. Reza knows exactly what to look for after a car accident, and how to alleviate short- and long-term pain from these types of injuries.
Chiropractic care ASAP will provide drug-free relief so you can feel better now and later.
Most patients feel some relief after a visit to Dr. Reza, but lasting pain relief can take up to three months of regular visits. This is because we’re looking at the big picture. The pain might go away with a pill, but it will come back, and that same pill will cause harm to other parts of the body over time. Chiropractic care works in reverse, increasing your chances of better mobility and reduced inflammation for the rest of your life. Dr. Reza will treat you based on your unique situation, getting to the root cause of your pain for the best chance of healing it instead of simply masking it.
Chiropractic care after a car accident is crucial. Appointments in our patient-based office are flexible, with availability on weekends and after regular business hours. Contact Reza Chiropractic online or give us a call at (406) 920-1807 to make an appointment.
