If you were recently in a car accident and walked away with only minor injuries and soreness, you are lucky. Still, it is important to care for yourself in the days and weeks that follow. One of the best ways to care for your body at this time is to visit a chiropractor for a few adjustments. Here are a few reasons why chiropractic care is so important following even a minor car crash.
To realign your spine
Even if you feel okay after a car crash, the jarring action may have pushed one of more of your vertebrae out of alignment, which could result in muscle soreness and aches later on if you do not address it. Your chiropractor can catch any misalignments early, which not only makes them easy to correct but also helps prevent more serious issues down the road.
To address muscle soreness
Maybe you are sore in certain areas after the crash and you've been taking over-the-counter pain relievers to manage the pain. These medications are really only masking the pain rather than addressing its root cause. A chiropractor can adjust your spine in a way that takes pressure off of the sore muscles, allowing them to heal faster. They can also realign other joints, such as your hips and knees, to take the pressure off of muscles in these regions. Some chiropractors have begun using other therapies, like cold laser therapy, that can stimulate healing in torn and sore muscles.
To prevent and deal with whiplash
Whiplash is essentially soreness in the neck that occurs after the crash. Many car accident victims initially shrug it off and assume it will go away in a few days, but without treatment, the soreness can linger a lot longer. Your chiropractor will address whiplash by adjusting your spine and your neck and possibly by massaging sore muscles in this area. They may also prescribe cold therapy for you to administer at home, which can help ease inflammation and speed healing.
Sometimes if you get to the chiropractor soon enough after a car accident, they may even be able to prevent whiplash symptoms from even developing since the pain and stiffness often don't show up until a day or two after the collision.
After a minor car accident, a visit or two to the chiropractor is definitely in order. Most chiropractors are used to dealing with car accident victims, so contact one in your area to get started ASAP.
For more information, contact a resource like Midtown Chiropractic & Rehabilitation,
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