Pain Management Following a Car Accident

All of the most common complaints following a motor vehicle accident (MVA) tend to be related to pain. This pain can stem from injury, anxiety, trauma, and latent long term imbalances that resulted from the original impact. There is a lot of stigma around recovery and pain management for motor vehicle injuries due to commonly diffuse and long term issues that occur. This can lead to inadequate medical care and long term suffering for those involved in a car accident.

Seeking care after a car accident

Whether you are noticing symptoms or not, one of the first things you should do following an accident is to seek medical care. Being evaluated immediately after a car accident can help expedite your recovery process and foresee possible future problems. A trained spine and movement expert can assist you in recognizing any subtle changes in your body that may lead to bigger problems in the future. Continual follow ups over the next several weeks to months can also help to quickly catch any issues related to inflammation, scar tissue, imbalances, and pain.

Common pain problems

Some injuries following a MVA can be obvious, such as internal bleeding, broken bones, muscles strains, and joint sprains. One of the biggest and diffuse areas affected is the spine because of the role it plays in nearly every function in the body. Some of the most common pain issues that will benefit from formal medical care include:

• Spine pain and stiffness- most commonly in the back and neck
• Shooting pain, numbness, or tingling in the arms or legs depending on the affected tissue
• Headaches
• Stiffness and pain in the hips or shoulders
• Abdominal pain

Chiropractic care for optimal pain management

There are two primary causes of pain that should be addressed first to reduce your symptoms and suffering. These are due to spine misalignment and inflammation secondary to the impact of the accident. Spine misalignments are often very subtle and require detection from a spine specialist like a chiropractor.

Even a seemingly small misalignment of the spine can have major repercussions in the body. This is because of the effect it has on nerve energy. When nerve signals are blocked, vital messages between the central nervous system and the body become disorganized. This can manifest as slow healing from an injury, chronic pain, sensitivity to movement, poor coordination, and an overall limited capacity for normal daily activities.

Along with poor nerve flow, inflammation can directly limit circulation and the body’s innate healing capabilities. These two issues can lead to a nasty cycle of limited healing and function. Seeking proper medical care from a medical professional that understands these underlying issues can make a significant difference in your healing journey. This is exactly what the team at North Alabama Spine and Rehab strives to achieve, one car accident injury at a time.

Treatment options for chiropractic care

When seeking chiropractic care after a car accident, you can expect to first receive an in depth evaluation that sheds light on your injuries, imbalances, and weaknesses that need to be addressed. You will then work with your chiropractor to build a treatment plan that works best for you. Non-invasive holistic treatment options may include:

• Adjustments to restore spine alignment
• Extensive education to help you understand the best ways to recover
• Lifestyle recommendations
• Soft tissue mobilization and massage
• Recommendations for a program to help stabilize the spine with exercise and stretching
• Pain modalities for relief such as heat, ice, electrical stimulation, traction, tapping, and more

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Ultimately, there are a lot of benefits to seeking chiropractic care when dealing with pain and other symptoms related to car accidents or injury. Once the true underlying issues related to spine alignment are addressed, your body can tap into its full potential for healing. With good spine alignment, some of the secondary benefits you can expect include:

• Better movement patterns to prevent unnecessary future injuries and flare ups
• Improved participation in daily activities and exercise
• Reduced inflammation and increased circulation to promote proper healing
• Decreased risk of scar tissue affecting joint mobility and flexibility
• Better pain management and coping strategies without the need for harsh medications
• A boost in feel good hormones to help combat anxiety and stress

There is a reason that seeing a chiropractor is the go-to standard following a car accident. The sooner you seek care the better to prevent unnecessary problems. With all the possible benefits, what are you waiting for? Find a trusted chiropractor in your area. If you’re in Huntsville or Decatur, Alabama the team at North Alabama Spine and Rehab specializes in recovery following a car accident. Get in touch with us today to see how you can get the treatment you deserve.