After a car accident, it can be hard to know what to do next. Even minor car accidents can lead to serious injuries, especially if the person waits to seek medical attention. Taking the right steps after an accident can make a huge difference in the person’s quality of life down the line if they’re suffering from hidden injuries. While no one expects to be injured in a car accident, read below to learn more about what to do if it does happen.
Those who are seriously injured in a car accident may see an EMT at the sign to stabilize their injuries. At this point, they’ll likely be taken via ambulance to the emergency room to get the care they need. It is crucial for those who have visible injuries or major pain after the accident to get to the emergency room quickly, as there are many injuries caused by car accidents that can lead to permanent disabilities or death.
Those who can walk away from the car accident should still seek medical attention, ideally within 24 hours of the accident. After a car accident, adrenaline starts pumping through the body to help minimize the pain from injuries. While this does help you feel like being able to walk away from the accident, it masks a number of serious injuries like whiplash that require fast medical attention.
Many people don’t start noticing signs of whiplash until three days or more after the accident, but the faster care is obtained, the easier it is to fully heal. It’s a good idea to contact an auto accident chiropractor for a consultation and to develop a treatment plan.
It’s typically a good idea to see a chiropractor as soon as possible after the accident, but no more than three days after it happens. The chiropractor will do a complete consultation and examination to determine the extent of injuries, if any, and then start developing a treatment plan. The treatment plan will vary for everyone since injuries from car accidents can vary, and may be updated later depending on how slowly or quickly the patient is recovering. Those who start to recover properly faster may be able to have a shorter treatment plan, but it is best to continue going as long as needed.
Hidden injuries like whiplash may not show any symptoms for the first few days after an accident. This is incredibly common. When the symptoms do start, they can include headaches, shoulder pain, neck pain, blurred vision, dizziness, reduced range of motion in the neck, and other pain or stiffness in the neck, shoulders, or back. None of these symptoms should be taken lightly, as there is a real possibility that ignoring them can lead to more serious issues and chronic pain in the future.
During a car accident, it’s possible for the musculoskeletal system to be knocked out of alignment, leading to whiplash or back and neck pain. This leads to pain as well as scar tissue developing on the bones in the spine. If the spine isn’t aligned again, the scar tissue can make it more difficult to do this in the future. The result could be chronic pain, muscular degeneration, nerve issues, and other serious and long-term injuries that may be more difficult, if not impossible, to fully recover from. It’s never a good idea to ignore the signs of an injury after a car accident, as it’s just not worth the risk.
So, why go to a chiropractor instead of a doctor for car accident injury treatments? The answer lies in what a chiropractor can do to help. One of the biggest differences is the chiropractor will not prescribe pain medication. Medication simply masks the pain and doesn’t get it to go away. It will help someone feel better, but there are a number of serious side effects when taking medication, and the injury will still be there when the medication is finished. The chiropractor will develop a treatment plan designed to get rid of the root cause of the pain, providing long-term relief for the patient.
Chiropractors help to reduce the amount of pain relief, sometimes instantly, and will help improve the range of motion. The act of adjustments can help move the bones back into place, so they don’t hurt as much and can encourage the body to release hormones that help relieve pain, leading to someone feeling better right away. Those who are suffering from a neck or back that feels stiff, for instance, will find they have a wider range of movement and the stiffness disappears when they follow their chiropractor’s treatment plan.
Even those who know to see a chiropractor after an accident may avoid doing so or try to hold off for as long as possible because they’re worried about how they’re going to pay for it. With car accidents, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will cover medical bills resulting from the accident. This does include chiropractic care. Those who are in a car accident can and should seek medical attention immediately following the car accident, not wait until they receive a settlement, to ensure they get the proper care from the beginning and can start to recover faster.
Have you been in a car accident?
The right help immediately following a car accident can make a huge difference. If you’ve been in an accident, even if you don’t feel like you’re injured, it’s best to see an auto accident chiropractor immediately for help. There may be hidden injuries that will become apparent in the coming days, and you’ll want to start receiving care for them immediately. Set up an appointment with a chiropractor today to learn more about how they can help you fully recover from your recent car accident.
Accident Care Chiropractic | Hablamos Español
Located in: NE Portland, SE Portland, Gresham, Beaverton, Tigard, Hillsboro, Salem, South Salem, Keizer, Clackamas, Woodburn, McMinnville, Vancouver, Hazel Dell, East Vancouver.
We Specialize in Car Accident Treatment & Recovery
