There is a great debate concerning the role of chiropractic care. Should it be a normalized, routine part of initial care? Should it be a primary treatment method for people who don’t recover with the help of other treatments? Depending on the physical condition of a patient, will that patient have a faster recovery with chiropractic care? There are always safety protocols being taken by professional chiropractors. When they have the right training and licenses, they can provide sufficient chiropractic care for those who can heal from treatable conditions. If you are unsure if seeing a personal injury chiropractor is the best healing option for you, then consider the following statistics.
Seeing a Personal Injury Chiropractor For Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
After experiencing a car accident, back and spinal cord injuries can be some of the most problematic injuries to address. Low back pain in particular was put under the microscope in a 2018 study published in JAMA Network Open. Chiropractic treatment of low back pain was examined via 750 active-duty military personnel. Half of these patients received the usual care, including self-care, physical therapy and medications. The other half received the usual care as well as 12 maximum chiropractic treatments. After six weeks, those who received chiropractic treatment reported less pain intensity and a higher satisfaction with their treatment.
Ice or heat application is effective for minor back pain, along with pain relievers. Minor muscle strains often heal within weeks. Muscle tears that require surgery will typically involve therapy and a few months to heal. Surgically repaired bones in the area of the back require three to four months to heal completely.
For Sciatica
The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that extends from the lower back and goes down to the back of the legs. When one suffers from sciatic nerve pain, the intensity of the pain can vary as well as its frequency. Dull, achy, sharp and electric shock-like shooting leg pains best describe sciatic nerve pain. Nerve compression generally causes sciatica. One spinal disorder that leads to sciatica is lumbar spine subluxations, also called vertebral misalignment.
A treatment plan for sciatica may include multiple different treatments. Ice/cold therapy is a treatment that reduces inflammation. Ultrasound therapy is a treatment that increases circulation and reduces cramping, swelling and stiffness. Spinal adjustments can help reduce nerve irritability which causes inflammation, muscle spasms and other symptoms linked to sciatica.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is a small portable muscle stimulating machine designed to reduce muscle spasms and control acute pain. Keep in mind that other disorders outside the scope of chiropractic care can also cause sciatica. In this case, it is preferable to contact another type of doctor for help.
For Head and Brain Injuries
It is common for drivers and passengers to suffer head and brain injuries by hitting the windshield, side window or other objects in the car following an accident. Many people get concussions from a blow to the head. Also referred to as a traumatic brain injury, a person’s brain bounces around inside the skull. But, symptoms of a concussion may not be immediately noticeable. Symptoms include headaches, migraines, nausea, dizziness and neck pain. It can take days or weeks before the symptoms become apparent.
Chiropractors commonly treat cervicogenic headaches and migraines. Neck pains usually cause cervicogenic headaches. On the other hand, migraines generally occur on only one side of the head.
Concerning mild concussions, symptoms normally diminish two to three weeks after onset. More severe concussion symptoms such as subdural hematoma (bleeding under the skull) require a visit to the hospital. Chiropractic care, specifically when spinal manipulation is applied, can improve headaches and migraines, according to research.
Personal Injury Chiropractic Care For Neck Injuries
Whiplash is one of the most common neck injuries to sustain after a car accident. Rear or side-impact crashes cause your neck to abruptly snap. Injuries can be minor such as mild neck strain, or they can be more severe such as vertebral dislocation. Over-the-counter pain relievers can treat mild neck strain, whereas vertebral dislocations require surgery. It can take several weeks to completely recover from whiplash symptoms, and a full recovery after surgery can take months.
Different therapies for treating neck pain were examined in a study reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine. 272 study participants were divided into three groups. One group received spinal manipulation from a chiropractor. Then, the second group was given over-the-counter pain relievers, narcotics and muscle relaxers. Lastly, the third group could only do at-home exercises. All patients reported a 75% pain reduction after 12 weeks. 57% of the chiropractic group experienced pain reduction. In comparison, 48% of the exercise group and 33% of the medication group experienced pain reduction. So, for neck injuries, chiropractic care is the best option for treatment.
Lower Extremity Injuries
A wide variety of lower extremity injuries can occur following a car accident. Without the protection of a seat belt, your legs may hit the dashboard or steering column. Leg, knee and foot sprains (ligament injuries), and damage to either muscles or tendons are common lower extremity injuries. According to a study conducted by the University of Michigan, 13% of injuries sustained in 190 examined car accidents affected the lower limb.
For minor lower extremity injuries, over-the-counter pain relievers are best. However, a cast or other means of external support are best if you have a broken bone. The most severe bone breaks will require surgery. A broken leg may need six to eight weeks to properly heal. Chiropractors cannot help with broken bones, unfortunately. But, they can help with adjusting your muscles after your bone is healed.
The Safety of Chiropractic Adjustments
One major reason why patients prefer chiropractic care is because it is a completely drug-free option for therapy. Also known as spinal manipulation, a chiropractic adjustment is a procedure that involves the use of hands or small objects to apply a controlled force to an affected area of pain. The main objective of a chiropractic adjustment is to restore normal function and balance in the joints and muscles. Chiropractic treatments can reduce stress on the immune system, minimizing the potential of developing diseases.
There are potential risks and side effects associated with chiropractic adjustments. After an adjustment, if you experience headaches, fatigue or discomfort in parts of the body, then you may need to consider other options of treatment. But, chiropractic care is a very safe treatment option for people with spine issues.
Speak With a Personal Injury Chiropractor
If you decide that chiropractic care is the best healing option for you, please contact us! You can achieve your goal of healing from your injuries with the help of a professional personal injury chiropractor like Dr. Derek Finger. The certified staff at our Pensacola chiropractic office promises that you will receive the best treatment possible to recover from your injuries.
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