For many people, a car accident is one of the most traumatic events they will ever experience. In a single moment, your day goes from entirely ordinary to completely overwhelming.
Even if the wreck is a minor one, there is so much that must be done – talking with the police, trading insurance information, coordinating car repairs, and making sure everything is documented.
It is tempting to try and minimize your to-do list after an accident, but no matter how minor the incident, you should always visit a doctor.
We get questions from people all over south Florida asking if Rush Chiropractic can heal them after a wreck. Today, we’ll answer some common patient questions about car accidents and how a chiropractor can help you.
Do I Really Need to See A Doctor After A Collision?
The short answer: yes.
As irritating as it seems, it is always necessary to visit a doctor after a wreck. Even if your car sustained no visible damage, you could very well be injured and not know it.
Often, one’s body produces adrenaline after a wreck; this can mask the symptoms of injury. A few days after the accident, once your trauma response has worn off, hidden injuries can make themselves apparent.
What Are the Most Common Injuries Sustained in a Car Accident?
Injuries from a car accident range from the invisible to the catastrophic. The severity of the wreck will have an impact on the type of injury one receives. But even minor wrecks can cause significant wounds.
Three variables affect the type of injury a person receives:
- The manner of the accident
- The speed of the vehicles
- Whether the passengers were wearing seatbelts
Car accidents happen in many ways. There are rear-end collisions (one car hits another from behind), head-on collisions (two cars in motion make contact with their front end), T-Bone (one car’s front end strike another car’s middle), or single-vehicle accidents.
Your possible injuries will vary depending on where the cars collided, where you were sitting in the car, how fast the vehicles were going, and more.
Many people don’t realize that passengers who aren’t wearing seatbelts can injure more people than themselves. In a high-speed collision, a person who isn’t wearing a seatbelt could fly out of their seat, and their body becomes a large projectile.
Major accidents can lead to:
- Organ rupture
- Broken bones
- Loss of consciousness
- Death
But even minor accidents can lead to injury. Even if your wreck occurred under the best circumstances (everyone was wearing seatbelts and the cars were moving slowly), you could still experience pain after the fact.
Other common injuries from an accident include:
- Whiplash
- Bruises and lacerations
- Stress fractures
- Sprains and Strains
- Herniated Disc
- Concussions
What Is Whiplash and Why Is It Dangerous?
Whiplash is a common injury following an accident. Many people have heard of it but don’t know exactly what it is.
Whiplash occurs when a person’s head snaps backward and forward in a rapid, uncontrolled manner. In an auto accident, all passengers and drivers are at risk of whiplash, but especially those in the car that were not responsible for the crash, as they usually have less warning and less time to prepare for impact.
The effects of whiplash may not be evident for several weeks following a wreck. If you notice any of the following symptoms two to three weeks after a crash, you may be experiencing whiplash:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Shoulder/arm pain
- Reduced range of motion in the neck and arms
- Low back pain
Like other invisible injuries, whiplash is insidious. What feels like a minor inconvenience can quickly worsen into chronic pain without proper medical care.
How Can A Chiropractor Help Me?
Chiropractors use spinal manipulation to gently treat ailments throughout the body. Our spines house the central nervous system, and when a vertebra is knocked out of alignment (say, during a car wreck), it puts pressure on your nerves.
A chiropractic physician will work with you to gently realign your spine and relieve your nerves from strain. Chiropractic care is especially useful for treating pain, as it targets the underlying physical cause. Most GPs will prescribe pharmaceuticals as a way to treat pain; unfortunately, this can lead to a cycle of dependence and abuse.
How Long Should I Continue to Make Chiropractic Appointments?
Your chiropractor will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is specific to your case. As with physical therapy, you should expect to attend appointments for a minimum of six weeks. These appointments may be weekly or more frequent. Chiropractic is a holistic approach to medicine, and your treatments will build on each other.
If you live in Pembroke Pines and have been in a car accident, contact Rush Chiropractic at 954-432-5006 right now.
Dr. Rush is a 1994 graduate of the University of Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Sports Science and Wellness.
Dr. Rush earned his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree at Life University in 2000 where he was honored with magna cum laude. Dr. Rush was born and raised in South Florida where he returned after graduation. He currently practices in Pembroke Pines where he owns and operates Rush Chiropractic and Rehab.
