After being involved in an automobile accident, it’s important for the affected individuals to seek medical attention in order to diagnose and treat any possible injuries but, unfortunately, a majority of people often prefer to wait to get treatment. Because most automobile accident injuries occur on the musculoskeletal level, many people choose to delay seeking treatment until they begin to experience symptoms but, this can actually lead to further issues.
The Effects of Whiplash
Numerous scientific studies have indicated that when an
individual receives early treatment for their auto injuries, they have better
outcomes than those individuals who chose to wait.
During a collision, whiplash injuries, the most common type
of injury resulting after an accident, results when the complex tissues of the
neck are stretched or torn by the force of movement. It’s also common for
individuals to not feel pain and other symptoms soon after the automobile
accident but as the structures of the neck become irritated, swollen, and
inflamed, the symptoms of neck pain and stiffness can become present a couple
of days after the initial event.
Pain and stiffness are usually the signs and symptoms of
damage or injury to the ligaments, tendons, and muscles surrounding the neck. When
the body suffers direct trauma, it responds to the injury by restricting
movement and sending white blood cells to the affected region to begin healing
the tissues. In this process, the body will then continue repairing the injured
area by developing scar tissue. The issue with scar tissue involves the joints
in the neck, which already have a moderately limited range of motion. Scar
tissue reduces the neck’s limited mobility even further and, without proper
treatment, this can lead to chronic pain, and permanent limited mobility,
including spinal degeneration on the joints.
Early Intervention After Auto Injury
Early treatment from automobile injuries can help avoid
complications by increasing the movement of the injured area and by preventing
the development of scar tissue. If you’ve been involved in an auto collision
resulting in neck pain and other symptoms, it’s essential to seek immediate
medical attention to prevent the symptoms and other complications from
developing and/or worsening. Chiropractic treatment can be used to recover from
auto injuries such as whiplash, headaches, and neck pain. A chiropractor will
rehabilitate an individual with the use of spinal adjustments, manual
manipulation, and exercises. Following all of a chiropractor’s recommendations
for treatment can help ensure a rapid recovery.
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
