I work on patients with car accident injuries everyday in my practice. Unfortunately, many of my patients would be in less pain and their injuries less severe had they been aware of a few simple things.
The most important thing is that even low velocity, minor car accidents and fender benders can cause long-term damage to the neck and back resulting in chronic pain. Most accidents occur unexpectedly when the body is not prepared for impact. “Minor” collisions less than 25 miles per hour tend to cause minimal damage to the cars; however, the energy from the force of impact will still be transferred into the body. The relaxed body can’t protect itself from the massive jolt that can cause significant damage to ligaments, muscles, discs, and the joints and alignment of the spine. Typical symptoms following an accident include neck and back pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, weakness, and numbness/tingling or pain into the arms and legs.
The best thing to minimize long-term effects after an accident is to get care early. The sooner the better! Many people make the mistake of thinking if pain goes away soon after an accident that they are okay. Unfortunately, people wait several months and even over a year after the accident. The damage to the spine and subsequent pain gets worse so it takes longer to help them. Potential long-term issues include chronic pain, excessive scar tissue buildup, and degenerative-arthritic changes to the spine.
Be prepared for the worst! Even the best drivers get into accidents. To minimize injuries, adjust your headrest so that the top is at least above your ears (preferably a little higher) and is within a few inches from your head. Keep your seat upright and not reclined to prevent your head from traveling too far back during an accident. Seatbelt and lap belt use is especially important for serious accidents. These steps alone can prevent serious injuries from occurring! Using ice for the first 48 hours after an accident helps reduce inflammation and pain. Have proper insurance coverage that includes PIP (Personal Injury Protection) for you and your passengers so that your treatment expenses are covered should you need a checkup and care. Corrective treatment should focus on restoring normal function and movement to damaged areas of your spine and supporting tissues. Remember, the most important step is having a trained expert evaluate your injuries ASAP following an accident!
Dr. Angela Ahluwalia practices at Kirkland Life Chiropractic and specializes in evaluating and treating post motor vehicle accident injuries and resulting pain. She offers free consultations and can be contacted at 425-576-5433 or drangela@kirklandlife.com.
