Motor Vehicle Accidents

One of the most stressful aspects of living in modern life is dealing with the problems that arise after an auto accident. Some auto accident injuries are hidden and are seldom detected for months or even years and some victims settle their case with theinsurance companies even before getting evaluated from a doctor trained in soft tissue injuries.

Not only are auto accidents an inconvenience and a hassle, a common redundant complaint of auto accident victims is that they don't feel like their normal selves. You may also be experiencing obvious pains and symptoms like muscle stiffness or spasm, neck pain, headaches, numbness and tingling, back pain, difficulty sleeping, irritability, memory loss, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and many other difficulties.

Recent research indicates that more damage to the passengers is often seen in low to medium speed crashes.At higher speeds, some of the energy of the crash results in crumpling of the vehicle. However, in low to medium speed crashes, most of the energy of the crash is transferred to the occupants. This often results in damage to the soft tissues of the body, tearing muscles, ligaments and other connective tissues.

Auto accidents can cause post traumatic osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis can ruin your posture (giving you a slumped or hump back appearance). It can also cause the discs in your spine to degenerate and create scar tissue formation, leading to chronic stiffness and the inability to move properly. After an auto injury, orthopedic, neurological as well as other functional tests must be performed to assess soft tissue damage, muscle strength, range of motion, and joint and nerve function. X-rays must also be taken to rule out any structural damage to the vertebral bodies.

If you visit the emergency room, you may be given a clean bill of health because you don’t have any broken bones. You might get a prescription to reduce the muscle spasms caused by structural changes in your neck or lower back.

Instead, you need a health professional that truly understands soft tissue injuries, spinal biomechanics and rehabilitation strategies.

Chiropractors are specialists in the treatment of auto injuries. Once it has been determined that your accident has not caused any life-threatening injuries your next call should be to your chiropractor.

Chiropractic adjustments mobilize injured joints, improving alignment and function.

The first six weeks after an accident is the most important period following a crash. This represents the body's first attempt to heal any injuries. Problems which persist after six weeks are referred to as chronic conditions and are much more difficult to heal.

In our office we have years of training and the latest treatment and diagnostic techniques to determine injury.The treatment provided will be designed to restore function and mobility to the neck or other injured areas. We will refer you to a specialist when needed, obtain testing and provide documentation of our findings for insurance companies and attorneys.

I went to the emergency room and they said nothing was wrong. I'm still in pain. What should I do?

Emergency rooms are designed to diagnose and treat life-threatening injuries or illnesses. When the emergency room releases you after an auto injury, you may have received x-rays and a prescription for medicine, but this does not mean that you are all right. It just means that you do not have any life-threatening injuries. Chiropractors take the next step in auto injury treatment. We diagnose and treat whiplash injuries in the neck and back. These injuries may be causing you some discomfort after the accident. These injuries can result in even more trouble for you if you do not get them treated soon after the accident.

I've been to the hospital and my medical doctor. Do I really need to see a chiropractor?

You need a doctor who focuses in the treatment and diagnosis of auto accident injuries. Usually hospitals will check vital signs, make sure there are no life-threatening conditions and release the patient with pain relief medication. They normally do not treat the underlying improper musculoskeletal biomechanics that can and often do lead to future pain and discomfort. If you are still having problems, you should get a second opinion. If your M.D. has given you medication, you must understand that pills do not correct structural or soft tissue damage. There are special therapies designed for that, and we offer these modalities at our office.

Does your care hurt?

Normally there is very little if any discomfort associated with care. The care is very gentle and quite soothing. Most patients can hardly wait to get their next treatment.

Is the care safe?

Yes, extremely. Particularly when compared to the side effects from medication. We urge you to go to the patient testimonial area to get a feel for what you can expect.

Why do I have pain in my arms and hands?

Because the nerves to the arms and hands exit the spine through the injured area of the neck, numbness and tingling are common. Even lower back pain can result directly from the trauma, or as a reaction to the loss of proper spinal curves produced by the accident.

Why did my headaches start more than a week after my accident?

Whether you’ve been in an accident, stressed at your work, or over-exerted yourself in the garden, your body is constantly adapting to the environment. When your capacity to adapt is exhausted, symptoms can appear. This can take days, weeks, months or years to occur.

But what if I need prescription medication. Can you prescribe medication?

Chiropractors do not prescribe medication as we are a drugless profession. If a patient requires medication they are quickly referred for a consultation with one of several medical and osteopathic physicians that we know work with auto injury patients. At these consultations, diagnoses are confirmed, treatment is recommended and medications are prescribed as needed.

Will I ever be normal again?

Many chiropractic patients report restored spinal curves and an end to their symptoms. Those who delay seeking appropriate care often discover that spinal instability and symptoms may be permanent.

The accident wasn't that bad and I'm feeling fine. I'm still curious about what happened to my body though. Should I come in to see if there are injuries I'm not feeling yet?

Yes, this is an important aspect of post-accident treatment. Chiropractic is wonderful at treating the pain and discomfort immediately following an accident but our expertise is in encouraging the body to heal correctly. This may help to prevent possible future problems such as arthritis and spinal degeneration.