Chiropractic Treatment After an Accident: 3 reasons why a chiropractor should be one of the first people you call.

“Today is a great day to get into a car crash,” said no one ever.

Yet more than three million people in the U.S. are injured in motor vehicle accidents every year. What’s more, statistics show that you’ll be in an auto accident an average of three times over your lifetime. Regardless of whether that accident is a low-speed fender-bender or a high-velocity crash, good chiropractic care is critical to the spine’s long-term health in the aftermath of a car wreck.

While it’s always a good idea to get a thorough check by a medical doctor for broken bones or signs of concussion—even after a seemingly minor rear-ending—a chiropractic doctor can treat the misalignment of the musculoskeletal system in the way a physician can’t. A chiropractor can help the spine’s long-term health without masking symptoms using highly addictive pain medications and/or surgery.

Here are three reasons why a chiropractor should be one of the first people you call after a car accident:

Reason #1: Prevents scar tissue and long-term spine issues.

Think of your spine as a rubber band. You can stretch a rubber band, but it eventually loses its elasticity. Each time your body is subject to any kind of impact –- a car accident, a bumpy roller-coaster ride, a tackle during a flag-football game —  that elastic is stretched even more. Eventually, those micro-traumas (or more serious traumas, in the case of a car accident) can cause long-term issues if left untreated.

It doesn’t take much impact to throw spinal alignment out of whack. Run-of-the-mill x-rays can show a lot, but they don’t show the micro-tears that can happen as a result of an accident — even ones that happen at school-zone speed. A chiropractor can make adjustments to bring the spine back into alignment, releasing natural anti-inflammatory properties to reduce pain and aid in a speedy recovery. Adjustments also help by reducing the forming and even the breakdown of scar tissue that leads to stiff, achy joints and eventual arthritis.

Reason #2: Restores mobility.

Injuries to the neck and back can wreak havoc on the body’s range of motion. Inflamed muscles and joints with built-up or forming scar tissue can make it difficult to turn your head, tie your shoes, or do many of the things you love to do. Mobilization of the spine through frequent adjustments can not only help you reach that itch in the center of your back, it also helps you feel better faster.

Reason #3: Provides short-term and long-term relief.

When seeking chiropractic care after an accident, most patients report feeling some immediate relief, thus eliminating the need for medications or surgeries. Add that to the benefit of increased mobility and you have a patient who develops far fewer long-term issues than those who don’t receive chiropractic care. And those who can continue to work and move freely are proven to recover faster and more wholly than those who can’t seem to rouse themselves out of bed.

Spinal adjustments after an accident not only keeps minor injuries from becoming major, they restore range of motion and naturally reduce pain and stiffness. If you’ve been in an accident, the sooner you consult a chiropractor, the better. Dr. Damron and his team at Damron Chiropractic & Wellness are here to help. They can assess your injuries, develop a  plan of treatment and put you back on the road to living a pain free and well-adjusted life.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, schedule an appointment with Dr. Damron today. Even if it seemed like a minor fender-bender, it can have long-term effects on how you feel every day. Make your appointment today.