5 Common Car Accident Injuries That Chiropractors Treat

A car accident can happen at any time and for all kinds of reasons. Maybe a large tree obscured your vision, and you didn’t see the other car as you were turning left. Perhaps you were doing everything right, but someone else barreled into you at an intersection.

The moments after an auto accident can be pretty scary, but the weeks and months that follow might be even more difficult if you have an accident-related injury. If you’ve experienced a car accident that’s left you in pain, you may need an auto injury chiropractor to help you get back on your feet and back into your routine. Chiropractors treat a wide variety of auto accident injuries.

1. Whiplash

Whiplash - Car accident injuries in Newark NJ

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries you may sustain in a car accident. Whiplash occurs when your car stops suddenly and causes your neck to yank quickly forward and then backward, often resulting in neck injuries and severe neck pain. Most often, whiplash occurs when you’re rear-ended, like if you’re at a stoplight and someone slams into you without stopping. 

There are many symptoms of whiplash, and they can vary from person to person. Typically, though, you may feel stiffness in your neck, upper back, or shoulders. There may be pain when you try to move your head into certain positions. Whiplash often makes you feel as if you can’t lower or raise your head without excruciating pain – and this feeling can last for days, weeks, or even longer, depending on the severity. 

2. Spinal Cord Injuries

Your spinal cord is a crucial part of your skeletal system. Unfortunately, the spinal cord can be injured in several ways during an accident. Typically, spine injuries occur when a piece of bone, ligament, or disc fragment becomes bruised or tears during impact. From there, it can make contact with the spinal cord and damage the nerve cells that transmit information between your brain and the rest of your body.

Spinal cord injuries can be severe and cause significant and long-term loss of function. If you suspect a spinal cord injury after an accident, it is essential to seek immediate medical treatment. Once your wound is stabilized, your care team can help you determine if a car accident chiropractor from Mount Prospect Health Center can help you during the healing process. 

3. Knee Pain

Knee Pain After Car Accident

Knee pain is a common ailment that comes from experiencing a car accident, especially if you were sitting in the passenger seat or the backseat of the vehicle during impact. This is because your knees are more likely to strike the dashboard or the backs of other car seats.

Even if you were lucky enough not to shatter your knees, get broken bones, or otherwise harm your legs in the accident, you will likely still experience some pain. The sudden impact on the knees can cause the ligaments to tear or bruise to occur. When left untreated, the injured can lead to long-term, chronic pain that makes it difficult to walk, switch between standing and sitting positions, or even to lay down comfortably.

Physical Therapy in New Jersey

A member of a Newark chiropractic team can create a physical therapy plan that helps you to recover from bruised ligaments and muscles, and regain any lost mobility. Doctors will often recommend physical therapy and chiropractic care for a knee injury before opting to go the route of surgery. 

4. Back Pain

Back Pain After Car Accident

Sometimes, you will experience back pain related to a car accident but not spinal cord injury. This doesn’t mean that you should ignore the pain, though. Left untreated, even something as “simple” as a pulled or strained muscle can lead to long-lasting pain. A primary care doctor may suggest medication as a treatment option. While it’s true that medication will help the pain for a short while, it doesn’t treat the source of the issue.

Car Accidents in New Jersey

Without a treatment plan, you may eventually find yourself struggling to sit up straight or walk for long periods. You might even find that you can no longer remain in the workforce. However, if you visit Newark chiropractors, you could have an easier time getting to the source of the pain. Regular chiropractic care after an accident-related back injury can mean the difference between a life stuck on the couch and one out enjoying the world. 

5. Overall Muscle Pain and Soreness

You don’t need to experience a significant injury from a car accident to benefit from appointments with an auto injury chiropractor. Even minor fender benders can wreak havoc on your muscles. Minor impacts may not feel like much at the time, but they still jerk your body around involuntarily, and often, soreness from the accident will set in hours or even a few days later. Without proper medical care the soreness can become a chronic problem that affects how you live your life. 

Chiropractor in Newark, New Jersey

A chiropractor can assist you with healing from soft-tissue injuries. Stretching, massage techniques, and a range of top-of-the-line equipment are available for chiropractors to help your body relieve tension and begin the healing process. The faster you work on healing the pain and soreness in your muscles, the quicker you can get back to your daily life.

What To Do Immediately After an Accident

If you have been in a car accident, you should first seek medical attention. Even if the accident was minor, it is a good idea to have a once-over at the emergency room. This way, if anything starts to feel sore later, you’ll have proof that you sought treatment. Evidence of medical treatment can sometimes be necessary for insurance claims.

If you still feel upset or hurt, or you suspect a more severe injury after visiting the hospital, allow us to help. Mount Prospect Health Center employs a staff of experienced, professional, and compassionate Newark, NJ chiropractors and physical therapists who are ready to help you feel like yourself again. Contact us to schedule an appointment

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