Should I See a Doctor After a Minor Car Accident?
People involved in minor car accidents typically have a lot of questions that need to be answered.
Perhaps the most commonly asked questions after a motor vehicle accident involve medical attention.
Accident victims, especially those involved in minor accidents like fender benders, but even those involved in serious accidents assume they don't need medical attention if they don't have any obvious injuries.
That's an assumption that can have dangerous complications.
When you're involved in an accident, even a minor one, anything can happen.
Just because you don't see an injury or you aren't experiencing any symptoms right away doesn't mean that something didn't happen.
Several types of injuries, like whiplash, concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and internal injuries, can all occur in minor accidents, and they can all worsen if left untreated.
And none of them may have immediate symptoms.
A Nashville car accident chiropractor is an excellent medical professional to visit after an accident.
In the article below, we'll discuss why it's important to seek medical attention even if you feel fine after a minor auto accident.
Seek Medical Care After a Minor Car Accident
You should see a doctor after a minor car accident if you experience any level of pain or discomfort.
You should see a doctor even if you feel fine.
Many accident victims have a rush of adrenaline during a car accident that can mask their injury symptoms as a direct response to the trauma they've suffered in the accident.
That's why it's common for people to experience no pain at the scene of the accident but will have pain symptoms begin to appear days or weeks later and grow increasingly worse if left untreated.
That's why it should be everyone's top priority to seek the care they need right after an accident, no matter how severe the accident was or how they may be feeling.
A car accident doctor will be able to determine if you have sustained any severe injuries resulting from the car crash.
And if nothing is immediately apparent, they will give you advice on how to monitor symptoms of potential injuries, including red flags to look out for.
If you have to make a personal injury claim after your accident, documenting your injuries for your insurance company is crucial if you want to get the compensation you deserve.
Soft Tissue Injuries After a Car Accident
Soft tissue injuries are very prevalent in car accidents, even minor accidents occurring at speeds of 10mph or lower.
Car accidents, even ones occurring at such low speeds, generate a lot of force.
During impact, your vehicle comes to a sudden stop, but your body doesn't. This can cause several types of soft tissue injuries.
Soft tissue injuries are described as damage done to the parts of your body other than bone, including your muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
The most common type of soft tissue injury that occurs in car wrecks is whiplash.
Whiplash is an injury to the neck muscles that occurs when your head and neck are suddenly and forcefully thrown forward and backward, mimicking the cracking of a whip.
A soft tissue injury typically results in pain, swelling, and a reduced range of motion.
However, these symptoms don't show up immediately and can take days or even weeks to manifest due in part to the rush of adrenaline you are likely experiencing.
They also aren't visible on imaging tests like x rays, making them more challenging to diagnose and document.
This is just one of the many reasons you should be evaluated and receive proper medical treatment right away after a car accident.
One of the best doctors to see after a car accident is a chiropractor.
Chiropractic Care After A Minor Accident
The backaches, neck aches, pain, soreness, stiffness, and limited range of motion that come with car accidents can all be treated by car accident chiropractors.
Your chiropractor will identify why these symptoms are arising and treat them accordingly instead of masking them with medications.
Once they know the cause of your pain, they can perform spinal manipulations, chiropractic adjustments, and physical therapy to aid in your recovery.
While receiving treatments from your chiropractor, you will likely experience the following benefits:
Reduced Pain
Through the use of spinal adjustments, your chiropractor can reduce the pain caused by common injuries.
You will experience relief in the affected areas as well as the rest of your body.
Many people feel significant relief after their first adjustment, likely due to the release of pain-reducing hormones.
Reduced Inflammation
Micro-tears in your muscles and ligaments are common even during minor accidents, and they aren't picked up on standard x-rays.
Chiropractic adjustments can bring your spine back into alignment, which will produce natural anti-inflammatory properties that will assist in the healing of these micro-tears.
A Reduction of Scar Tissue
It's not uncommon for muscles to get scarred after an accident causing stiffness and soreness.
A chiropractor will target the scar tissue and help break down the build-up quicker than if it was left to heal on its own.
The less scar tissue you have, the more likely you are to feel better faster.
Decreased Dependency on Medications
Prescription pain medicines prescribed by other doctors can be extremely addictive.
Taking powerful painkillers in the short term can turn into a nasty addiction or dependency.
With chiropractic care, you won't have to worry about these medications.
Your chiropractor will ensure that your injury is being healed, and it's not just being masked by medications.
Long-term Benefits
You will continue to reap the benefits of chiropractic care long after your accident.
Chiropractic care immediately following a collision will prevent minor injuries from turning into severe, chronic issues later on down the road.
An Increased Range of Motion
Neck injuries or back injuries sustained in a minor accident can result in a loss of mobility.
It can become difficult to turn your neck or move your body when your muscles are inflamed.
When your chiropractor mobilizes your spine with spinal adjustments, they are helping to restore your proper range of motion and aiding in the healing process.
Contact Our Premier Auto Accident Chiropractors for Help
If you have been injured in a minor car accident, contact Advanced Injury Care Clinic.
Our professional team of accident doctors specializes in vehicle collision injuries.
We work with insurance companies and personal injury lawyers to help you receive compensation for your medical bills and other damages.
Don't underestimate your accident injuries; call AICC today for a FREE Car Accident Injury Consultation and receive the medical treatment you need!