After the initial shock of a car accident wears off we naturally check if any bodily harm was sustained. As discussed in our earlier blog, impacts at 4-12mph is fast enough to inflict whiplash damage on our bodies regardless vehicles damage. The force to the neck due to a shifting and snapping, forward and backward action, is often up to five times greater than the force of the collision itself, and (unfortunately) the use of seat belts actually speeds up the “whipping motion” of the neck, causing even more injury.
In one study, it was determined that patients who had a whiplash type of injury, 39-60% of them developed osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) in the ensuing years. Beyond the initial management of pain, headaches, and whiplash symptoms, there is a long term challenge to the health of our spine and body.
- The x-ray labeled A is a normal, healthy neck. Notice the disc spaces and the C-shaped curve it demonstrates. X-ray labeled B shows an osteoarthritic neck. Disc spaces are narrowed greatly and the curve is reversed. The black curved line in x-ray B demonstrates what the curve should have looked like. Car accidents and trauma to the body speed up the rate in which our bones degenerate and develop this type of arthritis.
- This leads to the question, what is the proper care after a car accident? Receiving chiropractic care can restore normal curvature of the neck, normalize the nervous system to promote the body’s own healing process, eliminate pain, restore normal range of motion, and stop the premature process of osteoarthritis following a car accident.
- Don’t hesitate to get the care you need. Starting right away is the best plan, and if you have delayed, starting now is better than letting this process continue to run it’s own course.
- If you have any questions give us a call and we will try our best to provide you with the knowledge to overcome short and long term challenges involved with car accidents.
