Many people who are involved in motor vehicle accidents feel no pain afterwards or experience only minor neck or back soreness for a few days or weeks. These symptoms eventually subside and the person thinks they are “fine”. Moreover, many people have been to a doctor and told that their x-rays are “normal”. So they figure everything is OK and continue with normal activities for several weeks, months or even years until neck pain, headaches or back pain become a major problem. We all know people who have nagging head, neck or back pain but can’t remember any trauma to those areas except maybe for that little “fender bender” a few years ago. Why is that? And what’s the connection?
The Problem
The problem is that even low impact collisions can force your back and neck forward and backward. This stretches, tears and scars muscles and ligaments, the structures responsible for holding the spine in place. When these tissues heal untreated they remain tight, they’re less flexible and they continue to pull the spine out of alignment (even if there is no pain). In time this misalignment of the spine and improper healing of the “soft” tissues leads to pinched nerves, degeneration and arthritis. Even what appears to be a minor car accident can have long term effects.
Here’s a good analogy. Take a banana or apple and bang it on your kitchen counter and wait a couple days before eating it. What will you find? There is usually very little evidence on the outside of the damage which has taken place. But the inside will be bruised, mushy and downright ugly. This is what goes on inside your body after an accident. But unlike an unappetizing piece of fruit we can’t just throw our bodies out and reach for another. We have to live in the same body for the rest of our lives!
We, at Chiropractic Partners of Clayton, continually see patients with advanced spinal arthritis and pain as a result of traumas and auto accidents which happened years ago but were not properly addressed or treated. These patients are often frustrated that they failed to take action earlier! To avoid this happening to you there are some things you must understand.
Recommendations
First, Dr. Ferez looks specifically for misalignments of the spine and soft tissue injury as well as fractures when examining you and analyzing your x‑rays. Many other doctors especially at the ER look only for fractures and don’t address the factors that contribute to long term problems.
Second, Dr. Ferez will treat spinal misalignments and soft tissue injuries thoroughly, to provide fast relief AND long term restoration of health.
If you have been in an accident recently, you owe it to yourself to get checked and treated by a safe, gentle and transformative chiropractor before long-term problems are set in place. If you were injured in the past, it may still be possible to correct your spine, restore and maintain your quality of life. Most auto insurance carriers will reimburse for chiropractic treatment of recent auto accidents. If in doubt, you can always call for a complimentary consultation. Your most precious asset is your health, don’t neglect it now only to suffer in the future.