A car accident has the potential to alter not only your life, but your body as well. Even a minor accident can result in tissue or joint injuries that develop into chronic arthritis problems. This is where chiropractic care comes into play.
Chiropractic care is a type of alternative medicine in which the chiropractor relieves problems of muscles, bones, and joints through hand manipulation. Chiropractic theory states that a proper realignment of the musculoskeletal system will result in the body healing itself naturally.
It is important to understand that chiropractic care is a form of complementary and alternative medicine and should not be used in place of your regular medical care. While the initial studies have been promising, the benefits of chiropractic care need further research. Always consult with your doctor about whether chiropractic care can be beneficial for you or not.
Below, we’ve listed some of the reasons you should consider consulting a chiropractor after an accident.
Helps Inflammatory Wounds
Inflammation is a common consequence of all injuries. It’s a natural part of the healing process, yet it can be highly discomforting and should be monitored if the swelling does not reduce with time. An excessive amount of inflammation can also lead to muscle or joint stiffness, especially after an extended period of non-activity.
A chiropractor works your spine in a manner that re-adjusts it with the spinal cord, reducing the body's production of inflammatory cytosine. These are small proteins the body produces to instigate inflammation. As a result, the inflammation and pain are both reduced.
Decreases Scar Tissue
As your injury heals, it’s common to see scar tissue appear. If your muscles or tendons are impaired, the collagen in your body tries to recover them by forming scar tissue. While they tend to fade, some scars can be obstinate and never fully dissipate. However, with the help of a chiropractor, they can be treated considerably.
If left untreated, scar tissue can be a source of pain and stiffness. A chiropractor can break the issues using specific techniques and remold the tissue into what looks like an average, healthy tissue. This will promote faster healing and can make the marks disappear entirely.
Helps in Restoring Mobility
If you displace a joint, muscle, or tendon, your range of motion can be significantly affected. The flexibility in your neck and back can often decrease when stiffness arises in your joints. A chiropractor will use proper techniques and treatments to ease your joints back to proper alignment. This process assist your spine in restoring mobility.
Reduces Pain
The recovery period after an accident can be lengthy and painful. With chiropractic care, this pain can be significantly reduced. As this goes hand in hand with traditional medical care, both types of treatment blend to relieve you from maximum pain.
It’s natural to feel sore after a chiropractic adjustment for some time. However, it triggers the natural release of pain-alleviating hormones such as neurotensin, oxytocin, and cortisol.
Chiropractic care can help with several types of pain. Recently, it has been linked to improvement in pregnancy-related low back pain. However, there is a need for more research to make any conclusions.
Potentially Avoid Invasive Treatment
Most people want to avoid the possibility of an operation, whether it's because of the expenses or the extensive procedure. If you avoid proper treatment for too long, you might not have any other choice but surgery. The sooner you begin chiropractic treatment after your accident, the easier it will be for your joints or muscles to heal and not require any invasive procedures. It is vital to remember that this may vary from case to case and depends on the extent of your injury, but it can minimize the potential of surgery in certain cases.
Endnote
If you or any of your loved ones have recently been in an accident and the recovery is taking too long, it’s time to consult a chiropractor. Using numerous specialized techniques and spinal manipulation, chiropractic doctors can help speed up the healing process to make your life after an accident easier.
