Why See a Chiropractor After an Accident?

Accidents and injuries happen all the time, often when we least expect it. Some are the result of a simple slip or fall, while others occur because of sporting activities or being involved in a car accident. Whatever type of accident you are involved in, if you are lucky, the injuries that you sustain will only be minor and you will be able to walk away relatively unscathed. However, if you have been involved in an accident it is recommended that you see a chiropractor within 48 hours of it occurring – even if you feel fine. Here’s why.
 

A large percentage of injuries affect the musculoskeletal system

The musculoskeletal system is the network of bones, muscles, ligaments, and other connective tissues that enable our body to have structure and move as our brain commands it. Unless you have only sustained very superficial damage to the skin, chances are your musculoskeletal system has been affected in some way. This could be overstretched or torn tendons and muscles, joints out of alignment, broken bones or more. Chiropractors are specifically trained to diagnose and treat disorders and injuries that affect the musculoskeletal system, making them the professionals best placed to look at this body system following an accident. They will be able to diagnose your injury and recommend the best course of treatment.
 

Not all damage sustained in an accident is visible

The way in which our bodies are damaged in an accident can vary immensely. Some types of injury, such as cuts and lacerations, some broken bones and penetrating wounds are visible right away, so you and the emergency professionals helping you know exactly what needs to be done. However, not all injuries are visible. In fact, many accidents result in internal injuries that are not uncovered until hours, days or even weeks later. This is because all the damage is internal, and without the right diagnostic equipment and symptoms, it is impossible to know that you’ve been affected. However, a chiropractor has the experience and skill needed to be able to assess your body and determine if you are likely to have suffered any injuries to your musculoskeletal system just by looking at you. And they have access to the diagnostic equipment needed to confirm how you have been affected before they recommend treatment to help you heal and recover.
 

Not all injuries present with symptoms right away

Similarly, not all injuries sustained in an accident will cause symptoms right away. If you have an internal injury and aren’t immediately experiencing symptoms that suggest you have been hurt, you might think that you are fine to carry on as normal. The fact is that it can take hours or even days for some symptoms associated with injuries to appear. Swelling and bruising can be slow to develop, which are two key indicators that something is wrong. Depending on the severity of your injury, you might also be experiencing shock, which is a physical response to a traumatic event. Shock can temporarily mask pain for hours after an accident, preventing you from experiencing the discomfort that might otherwise send you to the emergency room.
 

Chiropractic treatment is non-invasive

If you’ve been involved in an accident, undergoing an invasive procedure to treat your injuries is probably the last thing that you want. While surgery in sometimes unavoidable, chiropractic treatment has been shown to be a viable alternative in many cases, enabling patients to avoid the need for a complex and invasive solution. This also means that there’s no need for anaesthetic or sedation.
 

Chiropractic treatment can relieve pain without medication

Many musculoskeletal injuries have been known to cause significant discomfort, with some patients going on to experience chronic pain. Unsurprisingly, many people are keen to avoid taking prescription or over the counter pain medications long term. Fortunately, chiropractic treatment is highly effective at reducing and eliminating pain in a completely natural way. It does this by boosting blood flow, reducing inflammation and stiffness and stimulating the release of our natural pain-relieving hormones.
 

You can recover more quickly

Your main goal after an injury will be to recover and get back to normal as quickly as possible. Visiting a chiropractor can help to make this a reality. This is because the techniques used by your chiropractor will help to speed up the flow of blood around your body, which will deliver vital oxygen and nutrients to the area that requires healing more efficiently, accelerating the healing process. Patients report that regular chiropractic treatment enables them to get back on their feet more quickly.

If you would like more information about why you should see a chiropractor following an accident, please get in touch with our office by calling 773-665-4400.