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Individuals
involved in automobile accidents are frequently accused of pretending to suffer
from pain and other symptoms in order to earn a profit from insurance
companies, but the truth is that in the majority of the cases, people involved
in an auto collision are actually hurt and injured. Another large percentage of
those individuals also refuse to follow through a legal process after their
auto accidents despite suffering from chronic pain.
In
the U.S., if an individual develops chronic neck pain or other type of symptoms
after an automobile accident, it’s not uncommon for them to be viewed with
great suspicion by others, as if their symptoms were not real. However,
researchers from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine conducted
a study where the medical records of 948 auto injury patients were analyzed to
evaluate their musculoskeletal pain after an auto accident. Of those patients,
about 70% of the individuals reported ongoing musculoskeletal symptoms six
weeks after the automobile accident. Also, more than one third of the
individuals experienced pain in four or more areas of the body.
Despite
the chronic symptoms, according to the study, only 17% of individuals had
followed through with legal processes six weeks after the auto collision. Among
those not pursuing litigation, 28% had moderate to severe neck pain, 13% had
widespread musculoskeletal pain, and 4% had fibromyalgia-like symptoms.
After being involved in an automobile accident, suffering an
injury that resulted in a condition of persistent pain and symptoms can be both
mentally and physically difficult. Not only do a majority of people face
lifestyle changes but these individuals often experience the burden of not
being believed.
While
depression and PTSD have
shown to also affect the development of chronic
pain, this study was conducted to help remind the public that the physical
symptoms of auto injuries are real. Many other studies have also documented the
tissue damage, inflammation, and nervous system changes that can occur after whiplash type injuries and other
injuries resulting from an auto collision.
Whether
or not you plan on proceeding with legal processes after an automobile
accident, it is essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible to
prevent chronic pain symptoms from developing. Chiropractors can help diagnose
any possible injuries or underlying conditions that could be causing your pain
and discomfort as well as effectively helping to relieve acute and chronic
symptoms after an auto injury. Hopefully the results of this study will
contribute to helping doctors and the public understand that these symptoms are
common, including among patients who don’t pursue litigation.
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
