Have you been involved in a car accident injury that left you with residual pain and limited use of your body? You’re not alone. Many people get into what they like to call “fender-benders,” where the cars are traveling at low-speeds. However, once they leave the scene the passengers begin experiencing pain, headaches, inflammation, loss of motor control and range of motion.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a very common complaint in Chiropractic offices, as well as emergency rooms. Whiplash or WAD (Whiplash Associated Disorder) is due to extreme hyperflexion and hyperextension injury causing forceful tearing of the muscles and ligaments in the anterior and posterior cervical spine. Common symptoms of whiplash include: severe headaches, restricted range of motion, extreme pain and inflammation, and even sometimes fractures called “tear-drop” fractures in the radiology community. These fractures are extremely unstable and the patient must remain in a cervical collar with possible surgical intervention.
Seek Proper Evaluation
While not all auto accidents leave the driver(s) or passenger(s) debilitated, it is important to realize and seek out proper evaluation and treatment immediately following an accident to prevent further debilitation down the road.
Seatbelts
Wearing seatbelts is still the best predictor of survival and decreases the severity of the patient’s injuries following an automobile accident. Seatbelts restrain the individual from hitting the dashboard or even going through the windshield. Commonly bruising will occur from the seatbelt, or even fractures called “chance fractures” will appear in the spine where the seatbelt restrained the individual. This is still much better than the alternative of being paralyzed or killed. If you or someone you know has been involved in an automobile accident, seek medical evaluation by a Chiropractor and follow an established treatment protocol.
