With more vehicles on the road than ever before, automobile accidents have
unfortunately become a common occurrence. Even the most confident and
experienced driver can make mistakes that sometimes have catastrophic results.
Estimates suggest that there are around 2.35 million auto injuries in the United
States every year – more than 6,000 every single day – and while some injuries may
be minor, others can have debilitating and sometimes permanent
consequences.
Neck and back damage is among the most common type of
injury sustained during automobile accidents. This is because the force of the
impact overextends and strains the ligaments and muscles in the back, causing
injuries including:
These occur when the upper part of the body is thrown forward while the lower body is
restrained by a seat belt. When this happens, the vertebrae can be pulled apart,
causing them to fracture. In severe cases, the spinal cord may also become damaged
by fractured pieces of bone.
The intervertebral discs are sponge-like circular pads that sit in-between the
vertebrae. They have several functions, including enabling the spine to absorb
impacts without becoming damaged. However, if the outer layer of a disc becomes
damaged, the soft, inner gel can seep out and irritate the surrounding
nerves.
This condition occurs when a vertebra moves out of place due to force or a fracture
in the bone. The displaced bone may then press on the surrounding nerves, causing
pain and other neurological symptoms.
Whiplash is most common in rear-end collisions as the impact of the secondary car
forces your head to ‘whip’ backward and forwards in quick succession and as a
result, the muscles in the neck are overextended.
Chiropractic care focuses on rebalancing the musculoskeletal system and realigning
the spine so that the body can heal itself. In doing so, a chiropractic adjustment
can have a number of beneficial effects. These include:
Inflammation is a common side effect of any type of injury and is essentially your
immune system rushing to help the damaged area. While some inflammation is an
indicator of the body’s natural healing process, too much or chronic inflammation
can cause serious pain, autoimmune illnesses, and hypersensitivity.
Pain is a natural occurrence after any type of injury. However, studies have shown
that chiropractic care after an accident can help release more pain-reducing
hormones, which many people prefer rather than a reliance on prescription pain
relief.
Scar tissue can form inside the body as well as out, and this thickening of the
tissue can cause muscles to feel stiff and uncomfortable. In some cases, the patient
may experience a limited range of movement that restricts their day-to-day
activities. Chiropractic manipulations can reduce the amount of scar tissue that
forms.
Neck and back injuries almost always have an effect on the patient’s mobility.
However, chiropractic adjustments will mobilize your spine and encourage the healing
process to begin. As a result, your mobility should begin to return much
sooner.
An automobile accident doesn’t have to mean permanent injury or
disability. In many instances, chiropractic care from a qualified and experienced
professional can help reduce your pain and restore your ability to live your life to
the fullest once again.