Auto Accidents

Even a minor automobile accident can have major ill effects on your health. It may be weeks, months or years before the problem shows itself.

Consider for a moment that the average head weighs between 7 and 15 pounds and sits on the most flexible and fragile part of the spine--the neck. Although the neck is relatively short, it contains 32 joints and is easily stretched and injured if it's thrown in any direction. If these joints are stretched or strained beyond their normal limits, they can lose their ability to return to their original length, much like a rubber band that has been stretched too far.

When one automobile is struck by another, thousands of pounds of force are exerted upon the neck and spine of the passengers. The head is thrust toward the hitting vehicle. The muscles then stretch and react with a violent spasm in the opposite direction. The painful result is injury to the muscles, ligaments and nerves and, sometimes, broken bones.

The minor "fender bender" is never a minor accident to the neck. This type of accident can cause more damage than an accident at 30 mph. The reason for the increased damage is that there is time to brace for the impact. As you lock your muscles, the force is powerful enough to tear the muscle and then the reflex motion further tears soft tissue, i.e., muscles, ligaments and tendons.

When a bone is broken, it heals with more bone and becomes even stronger than before. Soft tissue, however, heals as scar tissue. Left alone, this scar tissue becomes inflexible, resulting in a loss of motion. With chiropractic care, the scar tissue forms a more flexible structure, greatly reducing the amount of lost motion.

Regardless of whether you have any symptoms after an accident, you should still have a chiropractic check-up to determine the potential for unforeseen problems. (All medical expenses are covered 100% by your auto insurance carrier.) Common symptoms associated with auto accidents include: back pain, headache (tension & migraine), fatigue, nausea, ringing in ears, nervousness, insomnia, numbness in limbs, dizziness, anxiety, aching of body, loss of neck motion, muscle spasm, eye strain and depression. More than half of the neck injuries from automobile accidents and falls cause victims to suffer recurring headaches and other unnecessary problems and pain. Additionally, falls, sprains, or occupational accidents very often go unnoticed, only to return in the form of chronic pain.

Have your spine checked by the experts - Chiropractic Doctors. Countless accident victims have discovered this painless way to restore and maintain their health.