Auto Accidents in Bethesda?

Auto accidents are, for many people, the most traumatic event of their lives. They happen quickly and unexpectedly, but can leave the victims with injuries and pain that lasts for the rest of their lives. A visit to your local chiropractor can do wonders for pain, both new and residual, caused by auto accidents.

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What are the most common injuries associated with auto accidents?

The most common injuries associated with car accidents are head, neck, back and face injuries.

Head injuries are often the most severe. The concussive force of the accident itself combined with the restraint of your seatbelt and the explosive expansion of the airbag can combine to create a mild to serious concussion.

Neck and back injuries are the types of injuries that will most frequently be treated by a chiropractor or physical therapist. Whiplash is the most common neck injury that results from a car accident, though more severe neck injuries, including cervical radiculopathy and disc injury can occur as well.

Back injuries, such as sprains, disc injuries, lumbar spine injuries, and lumbar radiculopathy are also common as the result of an auto accident.

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What help can a chiropractor offer?

Not all pain from a car accident will show up right away. Even if you are not in pain immediately, it is important to consult with a chiropractor as soon as possible after your accident. He or she will be able to accurately assess the damage done to your joints, and help create a treatment plan. The sooner these injuries are treated, the less chance there is of long lasting pain.

The added benefit of consulting with a chiropractor as soon as possible after your injuries is that you will have an official record of all the damage you have sustained, in the event of an insurance investigation.

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When would I need to visit a physical therapist?

Not all injuries resulting from car accidents are as simple or as easy to treat as whiplash and a sore back. Severe auto accidents can results in broken or shattered bones, nerve damage, or other extreme injuries that may require several weeks or months to heal.

After being incapacitated for a long amount of time while these injuries heal, you will likely need to go through physical therapy and rehabilitation to regain your strength.

This treatment will include visits to the physical therapist’s office to exercise and learn a new range of motion, as well as a series of exercises and stretches that can be done at home.

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Conclusions

If you have been in a minor car accident, it is important to consult with a chiropractor as soon as possible. This will enable him or her to assess the potential severity of your injuries and get you started on a treatment plan right away. This is important even if you don’t experience pain right away. These injuries can take a few days to manifest. You may be perfectly fine after the accident and unable to move your neck three days later.

Prevent this by calling your local chiropractor to set an appointment.