Car accidents are one of the most prevalent causes of severe injury in the United States. This fact is notably correct for Austin, where such crash cases are endlessly rising. Cars and travel are essential parts of our society, but the damage they inflict can leave many individuals looking for a means to recover, heal, and return their bodies to a pre-accident state.
Even if you take measures and take safety precautions to avoid an automobile accident or injury, they might still happen due to another driver’s negligence, bad weather, or unexpected events. Most people take precautions to avoid injuries while driving, such as wearing a seatbelt, practicing defensive driving, avoiding driving while intoxicated, and keeping up with vehicle recalls or recommended maintenance. However, they may still sustain minor to major injuries from a car crash involvement.
While each automobile accident is different, some particularly typical injuries arise from car accidents and crashes because of the safety equipment’s nature, vehicle structure, and how the individual’s body responds to trauma.
Some injuries sustained in traffic accidents are minor and promptly treatable, while others may require months or even years of physiotherapy and chiropractic treatment to resolve.
The following are some of the most frequent accident injuries addressed by chiropractic treatment and how a South Austin chiropractor or physical therapist would treat a patient with such injuries.
Most prevalent injuries
Whiplash
Whiplash is an injury induced by a car collision that causes the head to move in an unusual, unexpected motion, tearing the tiny muscles in the neck and upper back and causing displacement or protrusion of the upper cervical spine. Most individuals know that a painful neck or difficulty moving or ordinarily rotating their neck might indicate whiplash.
Since the irritation and inflammation in the muscles of the neck, upper back, and head can make those regions highly sensitive and challenging to move, whiplash and other neck-related ailments of automobile accident injuries can leave patients with a painful neck and other significant impairments.
Neck and shoulder pain
Automobile accidents may happen at speeds as low as 5miles per hour and cause painful movement coupled with neck and shoulder discomfort. Pain and stiffness can make it harder for people to do their daily tasks. But if left untreated, pain can develop and lead to secondary problems, including headaches, migraines, and radiating shoulder pain.
Sciatica
Sciatica is a form of pain that originates in the sciatic nerve and spreads down one side of the lower body. This nerve is in the lower back and can cause pain and discomfort in one leg if pinched or otherwise damaged. Sciatica may result from traumatic injuries to the lower back, such as those experienced in a vehicle accident.
Such car collisions can place pressure and tension on an already weakened lower back, resulting in sciatica for those who already suffer from pain in this area. While a past injury is not the primary cause of sciatica, it may worsen the condition when coupled with trauma.
More common sciatica symptoms include a tingling feeling that extends from the lower back down one leg, weakness or numbness in one leg or foot, and discomfort and trouble in sitting. However, more severe symptoms may present numbness or weakness in the lower back after a vehicle accident or substantial damage to the area, together with acute pain. Some people describe sciatica pain as a slight ache or discomfort, while others describe it as a severe, burning sensation.
Sciatica symptoms can be immediate or delayed, depending on the degree of the damage and the body’s reaction to pain following a stressful incident such as a car accident. Your adrenaline may be flowing so hard after a vehicle collision that it’s concealing specific discomfort signals. However, you may begin to notice the signs after calming down. Visiting a chiropractic and primary care clinic can help control the damage and ease your pain.
Knee pain
Knee injuries and discomfort can result from the abrupt impact of a car collision, especially if the knees strike the dashboard or other surfaces within the car. These injuries can result in ligament and kneecap irritation. Other than that, it can also lead to more significant injuries that require medical attention or physical therapy for recovery. Knee problems, if left untreated, can result in long-term suffering and difficulties in walking.
Limb injuries
Many people in car crashes hurt their extremities, particularly their arms and legs, and may experience pain right away. A range of injuries to the arms and legs can occur in such accidents, ranging from tendon and ligament stiffness to nerve damage and damaged bones or muscles.
Spinal cord injuries
Spinal cord injury is one of the most severe injuries that may result from a vehicle accident. These injuries, whether a herniated disc, misalignment, or worse, may drastically change a patient’s health and well-being, including their life. It’s advisable to have a complete evaluation after seeking medical attention at the accident scene to establish the degree of the spinal cord injury.
Many of these injuries may need stabilizing or realignment of the spine to ensure that other body parts are not in discomfort. Consider the benefits of visiting a car accident injury chiropractor to help repair spinal injuries before choosing for painful, often invasive surgery that might have a lengthier recovery period.
When to seek medical help?
You may find yourself dazed and confused right after a car accident. However, it is always essential to keep your head straight and seek medical help as soon as possible. Thankfully, most chiropractic clinics have screening equipment available, such as X-rays, which can immediately assess your condition. Once the diagnosis is over, the chiropractor can draw up a treatment and recovery plan to save you the pain of complications. However, if the accident took place away from Austin’s center, you may also immediately head to a Cedar Park chiropractor.
Chiropractic treatment
No need for painkillers
Many people have a natural inclination to using pain relievers. They also have concerns about reliance or addiction to their prescribed medications. Moreover, it’s also possible that pain medication masks the underlying problem rather than addressing it. However, chiropractic therapy goes to the root of your pain and gives efficient pain relief without the need for prescription drugs.
Fights inflammation and improves mobility
Chiropractic manipulations can promote the body’s production of an anti-inflammatory chemical, reducing internal stress and suffering while still encouraging recovery. The chiropractor will relieve your discomfort and speed up the healing process, helping you regain mobility even faster. They may even monitor the rehabilitation period to decrease the risk of future complications.
When is surgery necessary?
Following a car accident, the nature and severity of the injury will decide whether or not you require surgery. The majority of car accidents need immediate emergency surgery. However, it is an invasive treatment that might also have negative consequences. The doctor will not suggest such a procedure if your body can heal with a less invasive method.
Final thoughts
Car accidents are mostly not in our control. However, we do control the treatment course after the whole incident. If you recently suffered from any such crash, be sure to visit an Austin chiropractor to help alleviate the pain.