Not only can it be a psychologically scary event, but it can also cause a lot of serious injuries and health concerns. When one vehicle collides with another, there is a lot of force exerted not only on the cars themselves, but also on the occupants of the vehicles. When the body absorbs this force, it can cause a lot of damage to the muscles, soft tissues and joints. Sadly most people involved in a car accident tend to ignore their injuries.

Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most common results of a car accident, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood and mistreated conditions you can have. If you are unfortunate enough to go to the emergency room after a car accident, unless you have a broken bone or lacerations, you will most likely be told that you’ll be fine and to give it a few weeks. Sometimes drugs may be given to decrease any pain or to help relax muscles.

Unfortunately, following this sort of advice can be detrimental to a person with whiplash. Whiplash is much easier to treat the sooner it is addressed. When a patient comes in complaining of neck pain after a car accident, the amount of treatment can vary greatly depending on whether the accident was last week, or 5 years ago. The force from the accident combined with the increased tension in the muscles due to injury can move the neck vertebrae out of their proper alignment, and also create increased pressure on the joints of the neck. Over time, if left untreated, this can lead to serious problems with the discs and joints possibly resulting in painful arthritis.

Depending on the severity of the car accident, sometimes a whiplash injury starts off with no pain. With all the adrenalin running through the body right after the accident, some people don’t feel pain right away. Then, over the next few hours to days, the person might start to experience feelings of stiffness. Eventually this stiffness can turn into pain, problems with performing normal daily routines, difficulties with sleeping, etc. One of the best things to do if you’ve been in a car accident is to see a chiropractor as soon as possible to at least be examined. Early diagnosis and treatment are your best bet for preventing any future problems. Contact Essential Motion Chiropractic in Fort Collins today if you experienced whiplash in a car accident.