At some point in your life you’ll probably be involved in a traffic accident. Despite our best intentions, we cannot control our environment or other drivers around us. Car accidents result in thousands of injuries in this country every year. Many people injured in auto accidents might spend weeks or months in chiropractic care, dealing with those injuries.
We want to share some helpful advice for drivers, to help you prevent accidents and injury. But we also want to talk about chiropractic care, and how we treat those who have experienced spinal injury after an auto accident or fender bender.
Driving is one of the great joys in America. There’s nothing more exciting than getting your first ‘wheels’. But did you realize that a car is a deadly machine? Yes, it’s also a fun, sporty, purposeful mode of transportation but your vehicle must be treated responsibly at all times. Don’t drive under the influence of alcohol. Don’t drive without proper insurance and registration. Don’t drive without wearing your seat belt and using rearview/sideview mirrors correctly. And of course, do NOT text and drive! Don’t Instagram and drive. Don’t Snapchat and drive. Your life – and the life of everyone else – is way too precious.
So, you’re using your vehicle like a responsible driver and being cautious, yet you still get into an accident. Of course, you want to involve the police if either vehicle is damaged or anyone is injured. Call your insurance agent as well. But did you know that there are also steps you should take immediately after an accident to protect your spine and health?
From traumatic brain injuries (TBI’s) and concussions, to spinal cord injuries and internal injuries – you or your passenger need to be properly assessed by a medical practitioner following an accident. If someone experiences any of these problems, you don’t want to move them. If you or your passenger feel like you’ve been injured – the best thing to do is to pull over, turn off your car and call 9-11 to request assistance. TBI’s and internal injuries don’t always show up right away.
If you have a serious injury, you may be taken to the hospital or even face surgery. But if you have a minor injury, chiropractic care might be your best treatment plan.
Your chiropractor will be able to diagnose your spinal health and determine what treatments will help you heal from injury. Many auto accident victims suffer from whiplash (sudden movement around the head/neck area) or low back pain. Both are easily treatable with ongoing chiropractic care. We may need to perform just one adjustment, although most accident victims will require an ongoing treatment plan with several adjustments over a period of weeks or months.
If you have a chiropractor, they will also help you regain your prior spinal health and strength if possible. They will know what condition your spine was in before the accident and recommend a gentle treatment plan to help restore your health and well-being.
