Even low-speed or seemingly minor car accidents can cause serious damage, and studies have shown that many car crash injuries occur at speeds under 20 miles per hour. According to Dr. Doman of the Miami Sports Chiropractic & Yoga Center, visiting a chiropractor following a car accident should be a priority.
Visiting a chiropractor after a car accident is recommended, even without immediate pain, just to ensure the spine hasn't become misaligned and the body has no sustained unknown injuries. According to Dr. Doman, many people involved in an accident think they are fine just because they don't have initial pain, and this is a common misconception. The truth is, almost any car accident will jolt the body, and some people do not feel any pain until the next day, and it may even take weeks to experience the real extent of the injuries.
Common issues like whiplash are usually felt within the first few days of the accident. Whiplash is caused by a jolt to the spine, and it's usually felt in the back or neck. Sometimes whiplash causes minor pain when the muscles tense up, but severe cases can cause misalignment of the vertebrae and extreme pain.
Other common injuries following a car accident include bone fractures and herniated discs, which can cause chronic pain and issues if not treated immediately.
During the first session, patients are encouraged to tell the chiropractor as much as possible about the accident to inspect all areas that may have been affected. The chiropractor will also perform X-rays to check for fractures and conduct an inspection of the back and neck. Following this, the doctor will prepare a treatment plan and suggest ways to reduce any pain or muscle stiffness and do an adjustment to correct anything that's out of place.
Most chiropractors accept health insurance, and it's important to keep in mind that medical doctors are usually not very familiar with the specifics of the back and neck and may order expensive scans like an MRI that a chiropractor can identify immediately.
Dr. Doman recommends anyone involved in a car accident, no matter how minor, visit a chiropractor as soon as possible to check for injuries and possibly prevent chronic pain in the future. Her center specializes in sports injuries and car accident injuries and serves the Miami area.
