Category Archives: Car Accident

Car Accident, Chiro Blogs

How Chiropractic Care Can Help After an Auto Accident

Being in a car accident can be one of the most terrifying and overwhelming experiences a person lives through. One moment everything may seem fine, the next moment you are involved in a serious collision. Many people who survive automobile accidents must deal with both physical and emotional damages following their accident, and treating these injuries can be a difficult process.

While no one ever wants to be in an automobile accident, it is important to know how to proceed with treating your injuries should you ever be involved in one. Visiting a chiropractor for professional chiropractic care is always one of the first things you should do, as these healthcare professionals specialize in treating many of the most common automobile accident-related injuries there are. 

Chiropractors are able to treat neck and back injuries, whiplash injuries and help with soft tissue pain and injuries. Many times, individuals who have been injured in a car accident have so much muscle pain and stiffness that they simply cannot function normally. This discomfort, on top of other injuries, can be a serious issue.

The first step on the road to recovering from these injuries is to make an appointment with your chiropractor. First, your chiropractor may want to take x-rays to determine if there are serious injuries in the neck or spine. You may not notice the signs or symptoms of this type of injury, so it is important that you consider x-rays.

You may also be suffering from headaches, pain or general discomfort as a result of a whiplash-related injury. Most people assume that whiplash injuries only occur during high-speed accidents, but a change in speed of just 2-3 miles per hour during an accident can cause them.

Some individuals experience indicators of whiplash injuries right away, such as blurred vision, headaches, shoulder pain, dizziness, reduced range-of-motion and arm pain. Whiplash can also result in minor back injuries, muscle injuries, ligament problems and disc damage. Other individuals may not experience any serious injuries right away and may think they are just “stiff” or “sore” after the accident, when serious injuries could be forming.

If left untreated, these issues can go on to cause other additional serious health problems. In fact, you may not think you have been injured after a car accident, and then start to experience discomfort or headaches several months after the fact. This is why you should always visit a chiropractor for an evaluation, even if you think there may not be a serious injury to blame.

 When you treat an injury like this right away, you are putting the body in the best possible position to heal and recover quickly. This is why you need to visit a chiropractor right away. They can help put the spine in line and help the body start healing right away. Chiropractors can help relieve pain, provide exercises that can act as physical therapy for injuries and give you nutritional advice that can also help with the healing process.

 The first step in healing after an accident is taking the initiative to go visit your chiropractor. With professional help, you can start recovering after a traumatic automobile accident and put yourself on track to fully recover.

Car Accident, Chiro Blogs

Car Accident – What You Should Know

What You Should Know If You Have Been Involved In A Car Accident In Fairbanks, AK

One of the most stressful aspects of living in modern life is dealing with a car accident. Auto accidents are even more common in a place that has long winters and frequent icy roads. Doesn’t that sound like Fairbanks? Were you also aware that some auto accident injuries are hidden and are seldom detected for months or even years? Traumas, even ones that seem minor, can set a person up for a future of discomfort and decreased quality of life. If you have been involved in a car accident in Fairbanks, AK, call us for an evaluation before you even think about settling your claim. Chiropractic care at Spaulding Chiropractic Clinic can have a tremendous impact on your future quality of life!

    Why? Because once you settle your case, you lose the right to have your insurance company pay for treatment if you need it. Be informed of your rights and then make a decision. Get the care you need to get you back to the way you felt and functioned just before the accident.

   Here’s where the problem begins… Most people who suffer from an auto accident have one thing on their mind: their automobile!

Common questions include:

  • “Who is going to fix my car?”
  • “What will I drive in the mean time?”
  • “Will my insurance rates go up?”
  • “Who is going to pay for it?”
  • And the last thing on their mind is: “Am I Really O.K.?”

Auto accidents are an inconvenience, and a common complaint of car accident victims is that they don’t feel like their normal selves. You may also be experiencing obvious pains and symptoms like muscle stiffness or spasm, neck pain, headaches, numbness and tingling, back pain, difficulty sleeping, irritability, memory loss, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and many other difficulties. Worse than that, you may be injured and feel nothing at all.

Did you know that auto accidents can cause post-traumatic osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis (aka degeneration) can cause you to stiffen up and suffer from chronic pain, often years after the car accident. This occurs because  scar tissue forms in the injured area (often your neck) leading to chronic stiffness and the inability to move properly. Poor motion over time leads to pain and decreased quality of life, leaving you with the inability to do the things you want to do as you get older.

If you are still suffering from pain with a past car accident come see us, our trained chiropractors will take care of you.

Car Accident, Chiro Blogs

Car Accident in Fairbanks AK

A car accident in Fairbanks, AK, can be particularly harmful to us due to the icy roads. Icy roads often lead to higher collision speeds and more soft tissue damage.

Things To Understand If You Have Been Involved In A Car Accident in Fairbanks, AK

  • Most Doctors are not trained in the detection of hidden soft tissue injuries.  
  • If you have been in an auto accident, you need a doctor who is trained in the biomechanics of the human body; someone who treats these injuries every day. In addition, x-rays can be taken to find out if there has been any structural damage. In our office, we evaluate auto accident victims and make any appropriate referrals to other health care providers if needed.
  • At Spaulding Chiropractic Clinic, we give you the care  you need, and submit the required medical reports to the insurance company so your rights are protected.If you have been in an auto accident in Fairbanks, AK, there are some important questions you may need answers to:
  • Q: Should I See An Attorney Before I See My Chiropractor?
  • A: It is important to get checked out by the doctor first. That way the findings from your exam will allow you the information you need in order to decide if an attorney is necessary.
  • Q: What If My Car Sustained Only Minor Damage?
  • A: Documented studies done by Charles Carroll, M.D., Paul McAtee, M.D. and Lee Riley, M.D. revealed that: “The amount of damage to the automobile bears little relation to the force applied to the cervical spine (neck) of the occupants.”In other words, the damage to the passengers is not necessarily directly related to the damage to the vehicle.
  • Q: If I Need Treatment For This Injury, Do I Have To Pay For It Myself?
  • A: No. Most car insurance policies have what is called “Med Pay.” This means that medical bills will be paid at 100% up to a certain limit. Using your medical coverage should not raise your premiums.
  • Q: The Insurance Company Has Been Calling Me And Wants To Settle,What Should I Do?
  • A: Do not sign or settle until you have had us evaluate your injury for you. If you settle before your injury is fully resolved, you will be completely on your own and will have to pay out of pocket for your care.
  • Q: I’ve Been To The Hospital And My Medical Doctor, Do I Really Need to See a Chiropractor?
  • A: You need a doctor who focuses in the treatment and diagnosis of auto accident injuries. Usually hospitals will check vital signs, make sure there are no life-threatening conditions and release the patient with pain relief medication. They normally do not treat the underlying improper musculoskeletal biomechanics that can and often do lead to future pain. If your doctor has given you pills, you must understand that pills do not correct structural or soft tissue damage. 
  • Q: Does Your Care Hurt?
  • A:  The care is very gentle and comforting.
  • Q: Is The Care Safe?
    A: Yes. Particularly when compared to the side effects from medication.

If you have been in a car accident and are in any kind of pain, come see our trained chiropractors once you have seen your doctor or any other specialist, again, we will give you the care you need.

Car Accident, Chiropractic

Chiropractic Care After A Car Accident

When it comes to car accidents, paramedics are often the first health care professionals who attend to your needs. Their job is to assess whether you should be rushed to the hospital for immediate medical treatment or deal with any life-threatening injuries right on the scene. Fractures, concus­sions, lacerations and other potential internal injuries will necessitate your escorted trip to the hospital.

What if the paramedics tell you that you are not injured enough to go to the hospital, but you still don’t feel quite right? In this article we look at frequent problems your musculoskeletal system often encounters after a car accident.

Common Injuries

Some people encounter pain and tension right away. For others, the symptoms may get worse over time.

Whether the impact occurs from the front or the rear, your neck is usually the most vulnerable area of your body in any motor vehicle accident. Car collisions involve rapid changes in acceleration and deceleration. Your body is held relatively still by a seat belt, whereas your head and neck are free to move.

This typically results in the neck moving very rapidly through an excessive range of motion, contributing to hyperflexion-hyperextension injuries that can affect soft tissues in the neck, as well as joint capsules and interverte­bral discs. Whiplash is the name often associated with car accident neck injuries.

Symptoms from whiplash may include any or all of the following:

Neck pain and inflammation, Arm pain, numbness or tingling, Headaches, Nausea, Dizziness, lack of concentration or clarity of thought, depression, anxiety, TMJ or jaw pain, mid or lower back pain even spinal disc symptoms.

Depending upon the degree of injury, your recommended course of action will differ. To determine what you should do, first consult with your chiropractor. Chiropractors are musculoskeletal specialists. They have the know-how to assess and treat almost any problem related to the nerves, muscles, joints and connective tissues of the spine.

Your chiropractor will conduct a physical assessment of you and determine the best course of action.

In some cases, early mobilization can lead to a much speedier recovery. If instability of the joints and tissues is suspected, your chiropractor may suggest avoiding movement too soon.

Most of the time it will feel best to remain immobile for the first 48-72 hours immediately following an automobile accident.  Your body will respond to any injury with an inflam­matory reaction. This makes the damaged area both swollen and pain sensitive. Attempted movements during this time will usually cause more pain. Muscles around the injured area tend to spasm – effectively splinting the area and preventing further damage. Muscle spasm can also cause greater compres­sion and/or irritation of the joints, leading to more pain.

This pain-spasm-pain cycle should be prevented as much as possible, especially early in the recovery process following a motor vehicle accident. Cooling the immediate area of injury with ice for 5-10 minutes at a time may help limit the painful effects of inflammation. In addition, resting or lying down during the first few days will ease the postural strain felt around the neck and shoulders, and help promote healing.

After this initial inflammatory stage, a patient is recommended to resume normal movements as soon as possible – within a reasonable range and within the patient’s pain tolerance. If immobility is prolonged, muscle atrophy and weakness can make recovery and rehabilitation from a whiplash injury more difficult.

If movement is not encouraged, muscle spasm can often persist, causing an increased compressive load on the discs and joints of the neck, potentially leading to chronic problems.

Vertebral subluxations in the neck and upper back are commonly found in those who experience car accidents. Therefore, at any stage of healing and recovery from whiplash-associated injuries, chiropractic adjustments can reduce pain and restore normal func­tion.

Car accidents may be a pain in the neck, but chiropractic can help!

References and sources:

1. Management of whiplash associated disorders– Sacramento (CA): International Chiropractors Association of California; 2009. 55 p.