How a Chiropractor Can Care for and Treat Car-Crash Back Injuries

A car crash can be a severely debilitating and stressful event in your life. It may not only lead to simple injuries, but also to traumatic brain injury. In the absence of significant damage to the brain, your back may have incurred damage that requires both immediate medical treatment and a rehabilitation program. While back problems from vehicular accidents vary for every victim, three of the most common are spinal fractures, spondylolisthesis, and disc herniation. Learn more about these back injuries and how a chiropractor can provide timely and effective treatment.

Chiropractic Care for Spinal Fractures

Spinal fractures from car crashes usually affect the thoracic or midback and lumbar spine or lower back. Pain from a spinal fracture can be felt for several months. However, treatment from a chiropractor may hasten recovery by days or weeks. A chiropractor may not be able to cure spinal fractures directly, but can treat their symptoms and other related conditions. For instance, chiropractic care can include spinal adjustments which may reduce radicular pain and back weakness. A chiropractor may also apply other manual techniques if appropriate such as flexion distraction and decompression.

A comprehensive chiropractic care that complements other therapies can help improve healing and decrease pain.

Chiropractic Treatment for Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is a condition where the bone or vertebra in the spine is pushed forward and juts out of proper position. The symptoms of spondylolisthesis are lower back pain, stiffness, tenderness in the vertebra, leg weakness, and muscle tightness. A chiropractor can address spondylolisthesis through the strengthening of support muscles in the spine. Spinal stabilization exercises and chiropractic maneuvers can improve muscle strength.

Furthermore, patients who suffer from spondylolisthesis may need spinal alignments as well to correct possible postural problems. Aside from these actions, proper chiropractic care includes educating patients about basic but essential exercises.

Chiropractic Approach to Disc Herniation

Car accidents can produce disc herniation in which the soft center of the disc pushes through the small crack in the outer part and irritates the nerves. Some people may feel no symptoms of a herniated disc, while others may report arm or leg pain apart from numbness and weakness in the affected part. To treat herniated discs, a chiropractor creates a treatment plan which may consist of spinal adjustment and other techniques. The plan may also consist of manual therapy and exercises.

Vehicular crashes can lead to back injuries such as spinal fractures, spondylolisthesis, and disc herniation. A chiropractor can provide timely and adequate care which includes education, manipulations, and other techniques.

Sources:

“Fractures of the Thoracic and Lumbar Spine,” orthoinfo.aaos.org
“Management of cervical disc herniation with upper cervical chiropractic care,” ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
“Spondylolisthesis,” medlineplus.gov

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.