What are the side effects after a car accident?

Most of us will be involved in some sort of car accident at some point during our lifetime. If we are lucky, this will be a fairly minor accident and one where we receive a minimal injury. Nevertheless, we strongly recommend that if you are in a car accident, you get seen by a chiropractor as soon as you can, regardless of whether you feel fine or not. Many injuries are not apparent right away, but if they aren't detected and treated fairly quickly, they could result in long-term pain and ongoing mobility issues.
 

The following are some of the most common delayed injuries that can be experienced after a car accident.
 

Headaches

If you develop a headache following a car accident you might not immediately think that it is related to the incident. However, it is fairly common for people to experience a headache several days after a car crash. In most instances, they are not serious, but in some cases, they can be indicative of an underlying issue such as a concussion or an injury to the neck. Chiropractic care can help with treating minor headaches of this type, but if you are in severe pain, it is important that you get checked out by a doctor as soon as you can, letting them know that you were recently involved in a car accident.

Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries sustained in car accidents, particularly those where the vehicle has been rear-ended. It is also the classic delayed symptom injury and may not become apparent until two or three days later. Whiplash occurs when the muscles, tendons and other soft tissues of the neck are extended beyond their usual capabilities, leading to damage that causes pain and mobility issues. Whilst chiropractic adjustments can help to alleviate the symptoms of whiplash and prevent long term pain and problems, some whiplash injuries can be serious and require more intensive treatment.

Back Pain

Unsurprisingly, back pain following a car accident is extremely common and occurs as a result of the force placed on the musculoskeletal system. There are numerous underlying causes for the pain that you may experience including herniated discs, sciatica, strains and sprains and damage to the ligaments, muscles and even the vertebrae itself. Fortunately, chiropractic care specializes in treating issues affecting the musculoskeletal system, with adjustments helping to reduce pain and inflammation and improve patient mobility, enabling you to recover more quickly.

Numbness/Tingling

It isn’t unusual to notice some strange sensations in your limbs following a car accident. This usually occurs as a result of damage to the neck or spinal column and pinched nerves can cause numbness, tingling, pins and needles and more. Chiropractic care can realign the spine, reducing pressure on the nerves so that these symptoms are resolved.

Abdominal Pain/Swelling

If you notice that your abdomen is swelling or you are experiencing abdominal pain in the hours or even days following your car accident, you should visit your emergency room immediately, particularly if you notice any bruising across the area. Internal bleeding can take some time to show, but it can be life-threatening so don’t delay in seeking immediate medical care.

If you have been involved in a car accident where you appear to have sustained minor or no injury, schedule an appointment with our chiropractic team so that we can assess if you have sustained any non-visible injuries and support you through your recovery.