Car Accidents

When an impact occurs, the body releases chemicals that signal the muscles to “protect” the injured area, this “signal” feels to us like muscle spasms, pain and stiffness. Although this “protection” helps in that very moment, if diagnosis and treatment don’t happen within the first 24 to 48 hours scar tissue may begin to form which makes it more difficult to treat the injury and often lengthens the time it takes to recover. The earlier that you are examined and treated the better your results and the shorter your recovery time becomes.  Sometimes in minor accidents we don’t feel this protection process at all and assume we are fine, but even with the smallest automobile impact, the impact is leaves on your spine can last a lifetime.

Common symptoms:

  • neck pain
  • dizziness
  • headaches
  • stiffness
  • torticollis
  • whiplash
  • sleep disruption
  • anxiety/nervousness
  • hip and lower back pain
  • shoulder pain
  • fatigue
  • tinnitus
  • jaw pain
  • visual disturbances

Recommended exams:

  • neurological testing
  • muscle testing
  • careful and thorough examination of the spine to assess proper movement
  • x-rays if necessary to detect the damage caused by the accident
  • When necessary we refer patients out for additional testing and therapies such as MRI’s or massage. Treatment varies on each individual in these cases, just as each individual is unique so is each car accident. The most important thing is to not hesitate because this is the best first step after an auto accident that you can make.

“Since 1990 I have treated thousands of patients involved in car accidents. Since I have a family practice often times we have treated entire families including their young children. It is interesting to me how patients understand very little about how serious injuries can be and the lasting effects of these car accidents have on their spine and over all health. It is common for patients to have no symptoms of back or neck pain immediately after the accident and it may take YEARS for any symptoms to present. There are occasions when patients have numbness, headaches, dizziness, nausea which seem to them to be unrelated to their back or things they would be treated by a chiropractor for. Car accidents are probably one of the leading causes of back problems out of any other injury to the spine. Even the most minor impacts can cause damage which if gone undetected can cause lasting negative effects on your health.”

-Dr. Robert O. Katona

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