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    How a Chiropractor can help you after your motor vehicle accident

    08/12/2016

08/12/2016

How a Chiropractor can help you after your motor vehicle accident

If you’ve never personally been involved in a motor-vehicle incident driving around New York or Manhattan, you’re sure to know somebody who has. Accidents on the nation’s roads have been rising steadily for years, but 2015 saw the largest increase in motor-vehicle related incidents for over half a century, with fatalities 8% higher than they were the year before. In addition, some 4.4 million Americans sustained serious injuries as a result of an accident in 2015, with whiplash and recurrent back pain among the most common.

Here we explain the signs and symptoms to look out for if you have been involved in a road traffic accident, and how seeing a Chiropractor can help speed up your recovery.

Whiplash: what is it?

If you’re unfortunate enough to have had a crash in your motor vehicle, there are likely to be lots of things occupying your mind in the immediate aftermath. With insurance claims to file, car repairs to arrange and police statements to give, your physical health might become a secondary concern. You may have walked away from your accident relatively unharmed and feeling fine. Make no mistake, however, whiplash can be a particularly nasty injury and its biggest danger is that the symptoms can take months, even years, to appear.

This common injury to the neck is caused by sharp, sudden movements of the head, forwards, backwards or side-to-side. The forces and speeds involved in motor vehicle accidents can result in serious damage to the tissues in the neck and back, as the spongy discs between the vertebrae split or rupture. This damage can be permanent, so vigilance and swift treatment really are key.

What symptoms should I look out for?

Among the symptoms that you should be looking out for if you have sustained a motor vehicle injury are:

• Neck pain and stiffness in the neck
• Dizziness, vertigo and nausea
• Headaches, which can range from mild to debilitating
• Shoulder and back pain
• Pain in the jaw or face
• Pain in-between the shoulder blades
• Confusion or feeling disoriented (this can be a sign of a concussion too so please get checked out by your physician or ask a friend or relative to accompany you to the Emergency Room if these feelings are severe or persistent)

When might these symptoms occur?

Most whiplash injuries will present themselves within the first six to nine months after an accident; however, in some cases, the symptoms may not become prevalent until much later. That’s why it is important to remain vigilant, even up to a year or so after your motor vehicle incident.

How can a Chiropractor help?

Chiropractic care restores regular movement of the spinal vertebrae by utilizing physical therapy, manual manipulation and gentle muscle therapies. These techniques allows the soft tissue (muscles, ligaments and tendons) to heal in the proper position. Because whiplash and the back pain associated with it are soft tissue injuries, visiting a Chiropractor is an excellent way to heal your injuries and minimize the risk of permanent damage to your back and neck. The specialist team of chiropractors at Launchfit™ by Clinicube® are experienced in dealing with all kinds of whiplash injuries and will also check you for muscle tenderness, assess your spinal alignment and ensure there are no herniated discs, and establish that your range of movement is not compromised.

Is there anything I can do at home to speed up my recovery?

Yes, alongside your sessions with the Chiropractor, you can help things along at home by getting plenty of rest, avoiding vigorous exercise or heavy lifting, applying ice packs and practicing some gentle exercises.

How can I contact your chiropractic team?

Here at Launchfit™ by Clinicube®, our highly experienced team of chiropractors can help you back on the road to recovery. Our clinic in New York City is conveniently located and you can book online using our live scheduler or by calling us today on (646) 606-2605. Experience relief today. We’re waiting for your call.