The onset of chronic pain from a car accident injury is not always evident directly following the event. In many cases, symptoms don’t arise until weeks afterward. It’s wise to seek chiropractic care as soon as possible if you have been involved in a vehicle collision: it’s possible that your spine is no longer aligned properly, even if the accident seemed minor. Chiropractors are typically part of the treatment team at a multidisciplinary pain clinic, where they perform consultations and examinations to reveal the underlying causes of pain and expedite recovery.
Diagnostic tools and specialty integration
To pinpoint the best forms of injury care treatment for your situation, a chiropractor (also called a doctor of chiropractic, or DC) examines your neck and back. Diagnostic methods available at a multidisciplinary center (MDC) typically include medical imaging tools such as full universal x-ray devices and C-arm fluoroscopy machines. The DC can also recommend evaluation by additional medical practitioners – either other specialists within the MDC (as with an orthopedist) or through outside referral (as with a neurosurgeon).
Common car accident injury: whiplash
Spine-health.com defines whiplash as a neck injury sustained during an auto accident. In the majority of car crashes, the victim is rear-ended by the at-fault party. The impact to the body when the car is struck from behind often results in whiplash pain. The underlying causes of that pain can be disc herniation, joint dysfunction, and/or muscle dysfunction.
Injury care treatment for whiplash is not uniform, due to the diverse nature of whiplash cases. Nonetheless, common elements of chiropractic care for whiplash include the following:
- Spinal manipulation – With this technique, also called spinal adjustment, a chiropractor carefully moves a joint back into its proper position.
- Muscle stimulation or relaxation – This approach uses stretches to release excess muscular tension that is generating pain and impeding recovery.
- Customized exercise plan – Tailored plans may include McKenzie exercises or sensorimotor/stabilization exercises. The former protect the discs of your spine, while the latter strengthens the neck and organizationally re-trains the nervous system.
- Lifestyle modifications – Chiropractors also often recommend stress management techniques, along with ergonomic strategies that reduce the likelihood of reinjury.
Weston Medical offers chiropractic care as part of a comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment program. By offering numerous modalities from a full spectrum of specialties within one practice, treatment is both convenient and affordable. Call for a free consultation or to schedule an appointment: 954-888-6650.
