Car accidents are a fairly common incident that occurs. Over 100,000 auto accidents occur in Colorado each year. Car accidents range in severity and can leave individuals with both short and long-term effects if not addressed soon after the incident. In the most recent data reported by the Colorado Department of Transportation in 2020, over 122,000 reported auto accidents occurred, with close to 12,000 of those resulting in injuries of some form. 

 

In the aftermath of a car accident, injuries and bodily damage aren’t always apparent. The adrenaline and emotional intensity of a crash can leave the body in an unrealistic state and mask any internal damage done. In the following days and weeks, you then may start to experience aches, pains, or more serious complications caused by the wreck. 

 

Aside from checking in with your general practitioner, it is recommended to see a chiropractor after an auto accident. As many of the resulting injuries from a car accident are musculoskeletally related, it can serve as both a preventative and problem-solving measure to be examined and possibly treated by a chiropractor. The more time that passes since a car accident without proper examination, the increased likelihood of chronic pain and musculoskeletal misalignment. 

 

Here are five reasons to a chiropractor soon after a car accident:  

Better Diagnosis 

Regardless of the severity of a car accident, injury can still occur. Common injuries from an auto incident include soft-tissue injuries, lacerations, fractures, sprains, and concussions. Many of these injuries are not noticeable to the naked eye and may be delayed in their reaction time. By seeing a chiropractor, they will be able to help identify any injuries that occurred relating to the spine and joints that were not noticed immediately following the accident. Through a physical exam and the use of X-ray imaging, a chiropractor can pinpoint possible spinal misalignments, muscle strains, and other musculoskeletal injuries before they compound and worsen — helping provide treatment as soon as possible.

Restore Proper Spinal Alignment 

Due to the often sudden and jarring bodily movements caused by auto accidents, it is commonplace for the spine to become misaligned from its natural position. Vertebrae can be displaced and discs can become swollen. This will lead to the spine sitting in an irregular posture where inflammation can take place, nerves become irritated or numbed, back pain radiates, and overall health deteriorates. A chiropractor can help restore proper spinal alignment which in turn helps: 

 

  • Reduce associated pain 
  • Improve joint movement & function 
  • Betters blood circulation 
  • Speeds up the recovery process

Reduce Inflammation & Soft-Tissue Damage

When a high-impact incident such as a car accident occurs, soft-tissue damage is a normal result. As airbags are deployed and the body is restrained by the seat belt, muscles, tendons, and ligaments are stretched and constrained beyond their normal limits. This event can lead to significant body inflammation, tightened muscles, and bruising. A chiropractor can help reduce inflammation and heal soft-tissue damage through a variety of joint manipulation techniques and therapies. By adjusting the joints near the inflamed areas or damaged tissue, nerve function can be restored and proper signaling can begin again. The realignment of joints can release positive, healing hormones in the body to stimulate inflammation reduction and muscle smoothing. In addition, a chiropractor may be able to suggest and carry out other helpful therapies relating to soft-tissue injuries, such as dry needling or massage therapy.

Improve Headaches & Whiplash 

Post-crash headaches and neck whiplash are issues that you face in the days, weeks, and months after the event. This rapid acceleration or deceleration of the neck can cause significant damage to the muscles, tendons, nerves, and discs. As a result, neck pain/stiffness, dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, sleeplessness, and other symptoms can plague you, greatly disrupting your quality of life. As a very sensitive part of the body, the head and neck area require special attention. A chiropractor specializes in the spine, relating joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. A chiropractor will be able to properly address neck and head relating injuries through spinal manipulation helping restore proper alignment.

Help Emotional Health 

A car accident can also inflict significant disruption and damage to your mental and emotional health. Enduring a traumatic experience like an auto accident can leave you feeling shaken, uneasy, and afraid. The event and any subsequent physical effects can impact your professional and personal life, leading to increased stress and worry. A chiropractor can help reduce anxiety and stress through treatment. Chiropractic care has shown to help lower blood pressure, reduce fatigue, improve sleep, induce relaxation, and improve energy levels. The emotional side of an auto accident is important to be aware of and seek treatment to help address the bodily effects of the experience. 

Denver’s Best Car Accident Chiropractor 

Dr. Reinhardt has treated numerous individuals who have experienced an auto accident in the Denver area. If you have been a victim of a car accident, Dr. Reinhardt and his team encourage you to get in touch to receive a full assessment of your health following the incident. Contact us today to help protect your physical and emotional health moving forward.