Chiropractic Care for Auto Accidents

Henderson Chiropractic Center

When involved in an auto accident the car may seem like there is little damage but the occupants may have suffered serious spinal injury. Injuries to the neck caused by the sudden movement of the head moving backwards, forwards or sideways are referred to as “whiplash” and are the tragic results of front or rear end collisions. Whiplash is most commonly caused by riding in a car that is struck from behind or that collides with another object. When the head is suddenly jerked back and forth beyond its normal limits, the muscles and ligaments supporting the spine and head can be stretched or torn. The soft, pulpy discs between spinal bones can bulge, tear or rupture. Vertebrae can be forced out of their normal position, reducing the range of motion. The spinal cord and nerve roots in the neck can get stretched and irritated. The resulting instability of the spine and soft tissues can result in headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, pain in the shoulder, arms and hands, reduced ability to turn and bend and even low back problems. As the body attempts to adapt to the trauma, symptoms may not appear for weeks or even months later. The chiropractic approach to these types of injuries is to use specific chiropractic adjustments to help return spinal function. After a thorough case history and examination, the doctor will recommend a series of visits to help restore proper motion and position of spinal bones. If caught early enough, inflammation can be reduced and scar tissue can often be minimized.