​Can Chiropractic Care Help Me Recover after a Car Accident?

Lever & Ecker, PLLC August 18, 2021 Car Accidents

Car accidents can lead to various injuries, many of which involve the neck, back, and spinal cord. The treatment for such injuries will depend upon the circumstances, the severity of the injuries, and what methods will provide the victim with the best chance to recover. About 22 million Americans seek chiropractic care to recover from a neck, back, or spinal cord injury.

Not all injuries are evident at the scene of the accident. It is not unusual for a car accident victim to experience pain or injury days or even weeks after the accident. One of the critical factors in a personal injury car accident action is the time between your accident and treatment for your injuries. Get a free consultation from Lever & Ecker, PLLC, to advise you of the best legal options for your case.

Neck or Back Injuries that Can Result from a Car Accident

Car accidents are a leading cause of neck and back injuries. The neck is a particularly vulnerable part of the body as it is unrestrained at the time of impact in a crash. On impact, your neck will be jerked back and forth and side to side, causing serious injury to bones, muscles, joints, and nerves in the cervical spinal column and surrounding areas. Neck and back injuries from a car accident can cover a wide spectrum.  

• Back injuries. The back has many easily injured parts, such as bones, joints, muscles, and soft tissue. Every type of movement involves the back, so both upper and lower back injuries can be debilitating.
• Bone fractures.  Bones can break in a car accident. In addition to bones in the neck and back, an airbag can fracture bones in the face, hands, and arms, especially for a driver. Impact with the dashboard can also damage bones and other structures in the legs and knees. 
• Herniated or bulging disc. Another common cause of back pain after a car accident is problems with intervertebral discs, the soft, spongy cushion between the bones of your spine. A sudden impact may cause a disc to push out of its usual position A jolt can trigger intense pain and limited mobility. Alternatively, the disc could rupture, causing the gel inside to leak out and irritate the surrounding nerves. 
• Neck injuries. Whiplash is a commonly associated injury with a car accident. A neck injury can involve several types of damage to the soft tissue in the neck, including strained, sprained, and torn tendons or ligaments.
• Spinal cord injury (SCI).  Spinal cord tissue is delicate and can easily be damaged if spinal discs are compressed or otherwise pushed out of place. Spinal cord injury can cause temporary or permanent paralysis, which is a devastating injury that may require lengthy hospitalization. Some spinal cord injury victims are forced to live with disabilities for the rest of their lives.

Benefits of Receiving Chiropractic Care After a Car Accident

Seeing a chiropractic professional after you’ve been injured in a car accident might be the best option for neck or back damage. Left untreated, these types of injuries can cause chronic pain and long-term complications. Some of the many benefits of chiropractic care include:

Chiropractic Care May Help You Avoid Medications

Many people are worried about becoming dependent or addicted to the drugs they are given. Chiropractic care can get to the bottom of what is causing your discomfort and provide effective relief from pain with no need for prescribed drugs. 

Chiropractic Care May Reduce the Potential for Inflammation

Inflammation is a common side-effect of being involved in a car accident. The force on your body can cause lots of micro-tears in the ligaments and muscles. Chiropractic manipulations can help your body release an anti-inflammatory chemical that reduces internal swelling and pain and promotes healing. 

Seeking Chiropractic Care Helps Some People Regain Mobility

Inflammation and pain cause the loss of mobility in your back and neck (and elsewhere) after a car accident. You may find it challenging to move normally, and it may be impossible for you to participate in some activities. A chiropractor may help reduce inflammation and speed up the healing process, which will enable you to regain mobility much sooner.

Certainly, speak with your doctor to determine the best treatment options for you. 

New York Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You Pursue Treatment

If you were injured in a car crash due to another’s negligence, you deserve any and every treatment your body needs to make a full recovery. In these situations, you have the right to pursue compensation by filing a lawsuit regarding your car accident. Instead of trying to take on the auto insurance companies yourself, put yourself in the hands of an experienced and highly capable New York car accident lawyer.

Lever & Ecker, PLLC has more than sixty years of combined legal experience in New York helping victims recover damages. Contact us today for a free consultation or call us (914) 350-6328 or (718) 933-3632.