18 Apr Healing After a Car Accident: How Your Chiropractor Can Help
Car accidents, even minor ones, can shake you up, whether or not you’ve been injured. And some people suffer spinal misalignments, soft tissue damage or other injuries they initially may not even be aware of. At Eastern Oklahoma Chiropractic, we’ve helped patients heal from injuries that could have led to long-term problems if left untreated.
That’s why a checkup with your chiropractor is a vital step to ensure that you’re covering all the bases needed for a successful recovery.
Some Injury Symptoms May Be Delayed After an Accident
It’s possible not to feel pain or symptoms for hours or even weeks after a collision.
The reasons for this aren’t fully known, but one explanation is that your body undergoes a surge of adrenaline during an accident or other traumatic experience. This chemical reaction may mask the pain temporarily.
Injury symptoms that could be delayed include:
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Changes in behavior or sleep
- Headaches
- Neck or back pain
- Numbness
With the most common car accident injury, whiplash, it’s not unusual for symptoms to take weeks or even longer to show up. Be aware of whiplash signs such as:
- Neck, back or shoulder pain
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
Benefits of Chiropractic Care After an Accident
Even low-speed collisions can cause spinal misalignments and damage to bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons. Adding to the problem, pain and stiffness can cause you to move differently, creating imbalances that lead to further injury.
With their specialty in addressing musculoskeletal problems, chiropractors are trained to treat whiplash, soft tissue damage and other car accident injuries. They correct spinal misalignments and treat the causes of pain, rather than masking symptoms with pain medications.
Your chiropractor creates a custom treatment plan that may include spinal adjustments, massage and other therapies that let your body heal, and provide many benefits:
- Improved mobility and range of motion
- Better immune function
- Reduced inflammation
- Pain relief
- Reduction of scar tissue
- Relief from soreness and stiffness
Tips for Better Healing After an Auto Accident
No matter what your symptoms, it’s important to recognize that your body has been through a trauma. Give yourself time to take it easy and be on the alert for any emerging symptoms.
Consider these self-care practices:
Apply ice to any swelling during the first few days to reduce pain and inflammation.
Gentle stretching helps with stiffness during recovery. Your chiropractor can advise you about when it’s safe to stretch.
Mild exercise like walking preserves mobility. Avoid working out or performing demanding tasks for at least a few days.
Get lots of hydration. Your body needs extra water to help with the healing process. Avoid sugary drinks–sugar increases inflammation and interferes with healing.
Plenty of sleep and a healthy diet are especially important to promote healing.
The experience and aftermath of a car accident are highly stressful. Knowing you’ve been proactive in treating any injuries will give you the peace of mind you need for a smoother recovery.
Make an Appointment for a Complimentary Consultation at our Broken Arrow Office
Your healing can begin today–call Eastern Oklahoma Chiropractic at 918-940-4630.