Chiropractic Care for Neck Pain After Car Accident

Utilizing chiropractic care for neck pain after a car accident is a great way to recover and manage the pain. Here’s what to know.

Chiropractic treatment is a non-invasive, drug-free approach to healthcare that can be extremely effective in treating a variety of conditions, including neck pain (cervical pain) and injuries.

One of the benefits of chiropractic care is that it is gentle and safe. Chiropractors use many techniques to treat neck pain and injuries, and they will tailor a treatment plan to each patient.

Chiropractic care can help to relieve pain, improve range of motion, and promote healing from a car accident injury. It can also help prevent further injury by correcting any alignment issues in the spine.

Can a Chiropractor Treat Neck Pain After a Car Accident?

Yes.

Medical doctors often recommend chiropractic care as a treatment for neck pain caused by car accidents. Treatment helps to realign the spine and relieve pressure on the nerves, leading to a decrease in pain and an increase in mobility.

Common Causes and Symptoms of Neck Pain After A Car Accident

There are several common causes of neck pain caused by car accidents. For example:

Facet Joint Injuries

Facet joints are the small joints in your spine that allow your vertebrae to move. They’re located between the bones of your spine and are what give your back its flexibility.

Facet joint injuries occur when these joints become damaged or overworked.

Symptoms of facet joint injuries include pain and stiffness in the back or neck. The pain may radiate into the shoulders or down the arms. Additional symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Muscle spasms
• Limited range of motion

Whiplash 

Whiplash is a type of neck injury that occurs when the head is suddenly and violently jerked forward or backward. The resulting force can damage the cervical spine (neck), ligaments, and muscles. Whiplash most often occurs during car accidents, but it can also occur during other types of trauma, such as falls, sports injuries, or physical assaults.

Symptoms of a whiplash injury can vary in intensity and duration, and include:

• Neck pain and stiffness
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Fatigue

In some cases, people may also experience difficulty swallowing, ringing in the ears, sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, and memory problems.

Disc Damage

Disc damage in the neck can occur after whiplash. Symptoms include:

• Neck pain
• Stiffness
• Headaches
• Dizziness

Chronic Headaches

It’s common to experience headaches related to a neck injury after an automobile accident. Symptoms include:

• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Headaches (typically beginning at the base of the skull)
• Dizziness
• Ringing in the ears
• Fatigue

Numbness in the upper back and arms

There are a few different ways that a neck injury can cause numbness in the upper back and arms. The first is by pinching or compressing the nerves that travel through the neck, which can happen if the neck is bent or twisted awkwardly or if there is a sudden impact on the neck area.

The second way that a neck injury can cause numbness is by damaging the blood vessels that supply blood to the neck and upper back.

Finally, a neck injury can also cause inflammation of the nerves in the neck, which can lead to numbness.

Dizziness

A neck injury can cause several symptoms, including dizziness, because the injury can interact with the nerves and blood vessels in the neck, which can then affect balance and movement.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help Neck Pain After a Car Accident

Chiropractic care provides safe and effective relief of neck injuries caused by car accidents. For example:

Restore Range of Motion

One of the main ways chiropractic care can help restore range of motion after a neck injury is by realigning the spine. The spine is made up of vertebrae, and when these vertebrae become misaligned, it can cause a loss of range of motion. Chiropractors use gentle adjustments to realign the spine and help restore a normal range of motion.

Another way chiropractic care can help restore range of motion after a neck injury is by reducing inflammation. Inflammation can cause the muscles and tissues around the spine to become tight, further limiting the range of motion.

Pain Management

Chiropractic care can help ease pain after a neck injury by helping to reduce inflammation and improve range of motion. Chiropractic adjustment can help realign the spine, relieve pressure on nerves, and help the muscles and joints heal properly.

Reduce Scar Tissue

Chiropractic treatments reduce scar tissue in several ways, including:

• Movement breaks up scar tissue and improves the range of motion
• Stretches and strengthens the muscles around the neck, which reduces scar tissue formation
• Low-level electrical currents stimulate the healing process and reduce inflammation

Prevent long term problems

Chiropractic care works to reduce long-term problems from neck injuries by restoring proper alignment to the spine. When the spine is aligned, the surrounding muscles and soft tissue can function at their highest level, allowing for proper healing to take place and can help prevent future injuries from occurring.

What Do Chiropractic Treatments for Neck Pain Involve?

Treatments include a variety of techniques such as:

• Cervical manipulation, which involves the use of gentle pressure and movement to restore proper alignment to the spine
• Spinal decompression, which can help to relieve pressure on the nerves by gently stretching the spine

Chiropractors may also recommend exercises and stretches to help relieve neck pain, as well as lifestyle changes to help prevent the pain from returning.

Will Insurance Cover Chiropractic Treatment for Neck Pain After a Car Accident?

In most cases, insurance will cover chiropractic treatment for neck pain after a car accident. Your specific policy may have some limitations or exclusions, but, in general, chiropractic care is considered an essential part of recovery from a car accident.

Conclusion

When you're in a car accident, the force of the impact can cause your head and neck to be thrown forward and then snapped back, causing whiplash. Chiropractic care is one of the most effective ways to relieve the symptoms of whiplash. It gently manipulates the spine and neck to restore alignment, reducing inflammation and pain and improving range of motion.

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.