After an Accident: How to Get Your Life Back

Bottom Line:

Getting into a car accident can be one of the scariest experiences of your life. In an instant, your life changes, and it can be difficult both physically and emotionally to get back to normal. Fortunately, the injuries sustained in most accidents can be treated conservatively, and many don't require surgery.

Why it Matters:

Chiropractors are often the first healthcare professional the majority of people see after getting into an accident. With a focus on relieving pain, restoring mobility, and supporting long-term healing, chiropractors are an option for getting well without falling into a cycle of taking dangerous prescription drugs. What's more, research has shown chiropractic care to be very effective at treating injuries like head, neck and back pain, whiplash, and extremity issues.

• Over 6 million car accidents happen each year in the US, accounting for over 3 million injuries.

• An estimated 38% of people with chronic neck pain believe it began with a car accident.

• Research shows chiropractic care can improve range of motion and decrease the pain associated with whiplash.

Many studies have also found individuals injured in MVA's prefer chiropractic care for the treatment of their injuries. One such study evaluated 190 whiplash injury victims and found those who received chiropractic care reported treatment satisfaction of 100%.

Common Injuries and Symptoms

Motor vehicle accidents can result in a number of very diverse and complex injuries and symptoms. This is due to the diversity of factors involved with the each MVA - i.e. vectors of the collision, size of the vehicles involved in collision, preexisting health conditions of victims, age of victims, size and strength of victims, etc.

The following list comprises many of the most commonly sustained injuries and symptoms following MVA's:

• Whiplash

• Headaches

• Back Pain

• Head Injuries and Associated Symptoms

• Extremity Pain, Numbness, Tingling

• Factors Influencing Injury Tolerance

Next Steps:

While medications can provide pain relief, they don't do a very good job at helping your body heal. The first step is to reduce inflammation and to get moving, and we can help you do both safely. Moving your joints is essential to increasing the blood flow to your tissues so they can start healing. Getting back to your normal daily activities may take a little bit of time, but by sticking with a specific treatment plan, you'll be in a great position to feel better and get back to your daily life as quickly as possible.

Science Source:

A systematic review of chiropractic management of adults with whiplash-associated disorders: Recommendations for advancing evidence-based practice and research. 2010.

Balla JI, Iansek R. Headaches arising from disorders of the cervical spine. In: Hopkins A, ed. Headache: Problems in Diagnosis and Management. London: WB Saunders; 1988.