Neck Injuries in Car Accidents: How Chiropractors Can Help

A neck injury is one of the most common injuries people sustain following car accidents. Even a relatively minor car crash can cause neck injury and trauma. Most people recover from a minor neck injury. However, some continue to experience various symptoms for months or even years. 

Neck Injuries Resulting From Car Accidents

Neck Strain

Neck strains include injury to the neck muscles that move the upper part of the neck and the head. They can be minor, leading to reduced mobility, discomfort, and pain. A neck sprain may cause muscle spasms, indicating a more severe neck injury.

Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries caused by car accidents. It results from a sudden head movement. Unfortunately, it is easy to ignore or misdiagnose this injury, which may result from a minor collision. Whiplash can cause chronic pain and result in torn neck ligaments and damage surrounding connective tissues and muscles. 

Muscle Spasms

Muscle strain and soft tissue damage after a car accident can cause muscle spasms. That said, this condition may be a symptom of disc injury. So if you experience muscle spasms, seek expert diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.

Disc Injuries

An auto accident can shift parts of your spinal structure out of place. It can lead to bulging, herniated, ruptured, or slipped discs, which can cause debilitating pain.

Why You Should Seek Treatment After a Car Accident

If you have a neck injury from a car accident, you should seek immediate treatment to prevent complications. You might want to see your doctor or chiropractor even if you are not experiencing any symptoms following your accident. 

Licensed medical professionals, including chiropractors, have the training and experience to ensure early diagnosis and treatment of neck injuries. When it comes to addressing neck injuries, time is of the essence. To avoid future complications, get the care you deserve today.

Symptoms of a Neck Injury From a Car Accident

Of course, no two automobile accidents or patients are alike. So, if you or a loved one experience any of the symptoms below following a car accident, you should seek treatment immediately.

• Severe neck pain

• Pain that seems to radiate into your extremities

• Dizziness or headaches

• Tingling, numbness, or pain in your legs or arms

• Stiffness of the shoulders or neck

• Constant weariness

• Blurred vision

• Pain that radiates into your shoulders

How a Chiropractor Can Help With Neck Injuries

Do not allow your car accident to cause you much discomfort or chronic pain. Let your chiropractor diagnose your injury and guide you on your road to full recovery. Your shoulders and neck contain many ligaments, nerves, bones, muscles, and other supporting structures. An injury here can cause pain in your neck and shoulder area that can range from tenderness or soreness to sharp, stabbing pain.

A chiropractor can be beneficial when it comes to relieving neck and shoulder pain. Doctors of chiropractic use a holistic approach to find and treat problems affecting the nervous and musculoskeletal system. 

No matter your neck injury, your chiropractor will perform a detailed diagnosis to determine the source of the problem. It will help your chiropractor determine the appropriate chiropractic technique to deal with the issue. Treatments may include spinal adjustments, soft tissue massage, mobilization, and more.

For more on chiropractic care for neck injuries, visit Brookdale Health, Experts in Auto Injuries at our Brooklyn Center, Minnesota office. Call (763) 561-4045 to schedule an appointment today.