Five Common Types of Automobile Accident Injuries and What They Can Mean for Your Health

Automobile accidents are one of the leading causes of injury in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that Americans are hospitalized for more than one million days annually due to injuries from car accidents.

If you’re involved in an accident, you may need care for weeks or even months afterward. Chiropractic care is a good choice for several of the five most common types of automobile accident injuries. Our experts at all three locations of Watson Chiropractic are experienced in treating injuries sustained in automobile accidents, and we’ll be happy to provide a consultation regarding your specific situation.

Brain injuries

One of the most common and potentially devastating injuries sustained in car accidents are injuries to the brain. Concussions are particularly common, and the symptoms include dizziness, headaches, neck pain, and difficulty concentrating. Post-concussion syndrome and post-traumatic headaches may be successfully treated through chiropractic care.

If you’ve been in an auto accident and are having headaches, vertigo, or other symptoms that could be concussion-related, contact Watson Chiropractic for a consultation. Chiropractic care is cost effective and may relieve your symptoms without the use of medications.

Neck injuries

There are about 1.7 million rear-end collisions in the US each year, making it one of the most common types of automobile accidents. Getting rear-ended often results in whiplash. In fact, the American Chiropractic Association says about two-thirds of people involved in car accidents have whiplash symptoms.

Whiplash is technically an injury to the soft tissue of the neck and may be called neck sprain or neck strain. Symptoms include pain and stiffness in the neck, chest, shoulders, and arms, as well as headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision. Studies show that chiropractic care can effectively treat whiplash.

In addition to providing treatment, the experts at Watson Chiropractic can also make recommendations for taking care of yourself at home. Sitting properly, using ice or heat, and performing exercises to increase your range of motion can shorten the length of time you have symptoms of whiplash.

Spinal cord injuries

The sudden impact of an automobile accident can cause a variety of spinal cord injuries. Tissues and bones may be compressed, stretched, or twisted. Chiropractic care can often relieve the pain associated with some types of spinal cord injuries.

Generally spinal cord injuries are separated into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary injuries are those sustained during the accident and secondary injuries result from the damage of the primary injury. Early treatment of the primary injury may help prevent secondary ones.

Chest injuries

Wearing a seatbelt can save your life -- but it can also result in soft-tissue injuries of your chest, ribs, or shoulders. The symptoms of such injuries may be delayed, so that you don’t associate the pain with the accident. The doctors at Watson Chiropractic are experts in identifying and treating these types of soft tissue injuries.

PTSD

An automobile accident is traumatic, and many people find that they develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the days or weeks following an accident. Recent studies have shown that certain chiropractic techniques can effectively treat PTSD.

The earlier you seek treatment following an automobile accident, the better. Early intervention can relieve pain, prevent secondary injury, and help you get back to your regular activities as soon as possible.