An Auto Accident Chiropractor Uses Alternative Treatments for Neck and Back Pains

A car accident can result in a host of differing injuries and pains, including those that may not be felt immediately after the collision. The most common motor vehicle accident injuries affect the neck, head, back, leg, and knees.

Neck injuries typically include whiplash, caused by sudden jerking movements to the neck and the back during rear-end collisions. A whiplash may not be felt until 24 hours or longer after the accident. Neck and back pains will ensue sooner or later.

The back, legs, and knees can suffer from dislocations and tearing of soft tissues. Concussions may additionally occur if the brain is severely shaken during the collision.

In general, most of these injuries involve neck and back pain. Following are treatment options for neck and back pain as explained by an experienced auto accident chiropractor.

Neck and Back Pain Treatment Options

Spinal Manipulation

Spinal manipulation can be used to treat neck and back pain from whiplash and other forms of car-crash injuries. Also called a chiropractic adjustment, manipulation involves a quick thrust on the injured area and can provide immediate pain relief, although some may feel slight discomfort that usually lasts for a very short time.

While there are many forms of manipulation techniques, one of the most common is the diversified method, a type of high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust wherein chiropractors exert a short, quick thrust on restricted joints. To optimize the spinal adjustment, the patient’s body is positioned in particular ways or angles as the treatment progresses.

Oftentimes, manipulation produces a perceptible popping sound, also called cavitation. The pop is an outcome of gas being released when the joint is moved a short distance beyond its passive motion range.

The main target outcomes of neck and back adjustments are numerous. They can include pain reduction and improved range of motion. Adjustments may also result in decreased nerve irritability, as well as better neck and back function.

Stabilization and Sensorimotor Exercises

Stabilization and sensorimotor exercises can help fix incorrect movements brought about by car accident pain. They may be applied to neck, back, and leg pains. They condition the nervous system to develop better coordination and movement, as well as enhance the ability of neck muscles to stabilize the neck.

Stabilization exercises can be composed of floor, weight, and exercise-ball routines. They are usually designed to isolate important spinal stabilizers and other related muscles to promote muscle, tissue, and joint recovery. Post-exercise soreness is common in the targeted muscles, but should not increase body pain.

Muscle Relaxation and Stimulation

Muscle relaxation and stimulation can also be applied on injured neck and back muscles. Gentle muscle stretches are exerted on the target areas, although a stronger stretch may be necessary to relax very tight muscles. Furthermore, strained and injured muscles, as well as soft tissues, can be loosened through electric nerve stimulation to improve blood flow and muscle strength. Besides said therapies, a chiropractor may use gentle finger pressure techniques on trigger points to decrease pain.

McKenzie Exercises

McKenzie exercises are developed to address disc derangement from a whiplash, but can also mitigate back pain. They reduce pain, diminish the risk of recurring pain, and improve neck and back functionality. McKenzie exercises include simple movements that can be taught to patients who are not uncomfortable with doing them on their own. Otherwise, they may choose to keep on visiting the clinic.

Lasting or recurring pain in different body parts compels patients to seek chiropractic treatment. Patients sometimes add chiropractic therapies to their medicinal and physical therapy routines, while others prefer chiropractic as an alternative approach to dealing with acute or chronic pain. If you’re interested in chiropractic care, look for experienced auto accident chiropractors who have treated many car crash patients. They tend to offer a wide range of relevant techniques.

Sources:

“5 Most Common Types of Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries,” MyPhysiciansNow.com
“After the crash: Treating whiplash,” ModernMedicine.com
“Chiropractic Adjustment,” Spine-health.com

Dr. Darren Faherty D.C.

In 2004, Dr. Darren Faherty graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology from UWEC - University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Dr. Darren continued education at the highly esteemed University of Western States (formerly Western States Chiropractic College) where he obtained his chiropractic degree in 2007. He has been helping people recover from injuries and return to their normal lifestyles ever since.