Our bodily function is essential to our quality of life. Simple actions like extending the arm, standing up, and walking are made possible by the coordinated actions of our muscles, bones, and joints. For this reason, everyone is encouraged to move their bodies every once in a while. However, many external factors, such as car accidents, threaten bodily function.
The human body is remarkably resilient but can only take so much. Car accidents are one of the leading causes of bodily injury and can cause many problems. When this happens, physical therapy is recommended, which sometimes also involves chiropractic care. Despite this, many people who experience an accident don’t consider getting the latter because they think physical therapy is enough. Chiropractic care may be optional after an accident, but it offers several benefits such as:
#1 – Injuries Are Not Always Apparent
One of the biggest mistakes people make after an accident is not getting checked out. Commonly, people will only notice the pain and discomfort of injury days or weeks after the accident. This is because the body releases endorphins and adrenaline to cope with the trauma, which masks the pain.
As a result, the person doesn’t experience pain or discomfort until the body no longer releases those hormones. However, the pain is not always apparent; sometimes, the injury is much worse than it seems because the person is not in pain. For example, someone who experiences whiplash may not feel pain for a few days. However, that does not mean that the person does not have whiplash.
#2 – Restores the Body’s Range of Motion
After an accident, the body may have a reduced range of motion. When this occurs, restoring the range of motion should be done as soon as possible. This is because the body is designed to heal itself, and the faster the body can heal, the faster the person can return to everyday activities. If the body is not given a chance to heal correctly, it may cause further injury.
#3 – Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is your body’s natural response to any injury. Inflammation is characterized by swelling, redness, and pain. Inflammation is necessary for healing; however, it can cause discomfort. Chiropractic care can help reduce inflammation by adjusting the spine, which can help improve the movement of the nervous system.
#4 – Reduces Scar Tissue
Scar tissue is the body’s natural way of healing an injury. However, scar tissue can build up and cause pain. Chiropractic care can help reduce scar tissue by breaking up the tissue and improving the range of motion.
#5 – Relieves Pain Sans Drugs
Sustaining an injury means taking painkillers to ease the pain. However, painkillers are only a short-term solution because long-term usage may cause addiction. Chiropractic care is a drug-free method that can relieve pain and improve your quality of life.
#6 – A Non-invasive Treatment Option
Chiropractic care is a non-invasive form of treatment. This means that it is a less risky option than traditional medical procedures because it doesn’t require any surgery.
#7 – Better Chances of Successfully Getting a Compensation
If the nature of your accident involves another party, you have a higher chance of receiving compensation if you seek chiropractic care. This is because the other party will be more likely to pay for your treatment if they know it’s necessary.
What to Expect When Getting Chiropractic Care
What you should expect when going to a chiropractor depends on your treatment. The most common form of treatment is spinal manipulation. This treatment is often done by hand, but some chiropractors will use a chiropractic adjustment device. This device can be a metal rod or a spring-loaded device used to apply pressure to your spine.
Spinal manipulation is often done in a series of treatments that can last for a few weeks. Each treatment will last for about 15 to 30 minutes. The chiropractor will work on your spine during this time to realign it. After each treatment, you may feel some soreness in your spine. This is normal and should go away after a few days. You may be asked to do some exercises at home to help your spine heal properly.
Another type of chiropractic treatment is acupuncture. This treatment is based on traditional Chinese medicine. It involves placing thin needles into your skin at specific points.
Conclusion
Chiropractic care should never be taken for granted, especially after a car accident, because it can help your body heal properly and prevent further injuries. Since it’s a natural treatment, it is also not as expensive as other medical procedures. All that matters is finding the right chiropractor to ensure you get the proper treatment.
If you’re looking for a chiropractor in Royal Palm Beach, Cobblestone Spine and Joint Institute can help you! We understand the importance of bodily function, so we provide treatment options tailored to ensure a patient can move without any issues. Visit our website today to schedule an appointment!
