If you have been involved in a car accident, there are many factors that you have to take care of, but the most important is your health, which is why medical care is at the top of the list. This is true whether someone hit you or if you were at fault, either way you may have sustained injuries that need to be addressed as soon as possible. Even what seems to be a minor injury, or a small impact should be evaluated by a chiropractic physician, so that something that appears minor does not become major in the weeks, months or years ahead.
Car accident injuries can range from life-threatening to minor bruises or even non visual soft tissue injuries. Fortunately, minor injuries are more common, but all injuries should be taken seriously. Serious injuries, such as broken bones, are evident right away and the need for medical treatment is obvious, but less severe injuries may not manifest themselves until hours or days after an accident. These types of injuries can include strains and sprains commonly known as soft tissue injuries. Other types of injuries can include cuts, ligament damage, disc herniations and concussions. When injuries do manifest, have them checked out by our physician at Health In Motion Chiropractic.
There are numerous options for treatment ranging from an ER visit if you need immediate emergency medical care or you can choose to see a Chiropractor for all non-life threatening musculoskeletal injuries and pain.
If you feel you have a serious injury while at the scene of the accident, either call or ask for an ambulance, or go to the hospital yourself as soon as possible. Do not let the extent of the accident dictate what you do. You may be able to walk away from a serious accident without a scratch or you may suffer injuries in accidents that seems minor. Medical doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, and numerous other medical providers may be treatment options for you. The most important thing is to get checked out and follow the advice of your physicians.
Conservative Treatment Options
There are many different treatment options depending on your injury. It is always the best idea to start on the conservative side with will provide relief with far less side effects and risks to your health. Chiropractic and Physical Therapy are two great options. Chiropractors can diagnose and treat your injuries as well as manage your injury case to make sure that you receive the best treatment to resolve your injuries. Chiropractors are also able to send out for imaging to visually see the extent of your injuries through an MRI or Xray.
Chiropractors provide many great treatment options and take a wholistic approach on your injuries, these include manipulation, therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, traction or decompression, electric muscle stimulation. Chiropractor can also recommend diet, supplement and lifestyle changes to help speed up recovery.
Depending on your injuries you may need to see a neurosurgeon, orthopedist, or pain management doctor all of which your chiropractor can refer you to and co-manage your case.
Written by: Dr. Auchter, https://www.drauchter.com/
After obtaining her undergraduate degree in Biology from Christopher Newport University, Doctor Auchter became a Chiropractor after graduating Magnum Cum Lade from Palmer College of Chiropractic. She has always been interested in health and how the body works through biomechanics, addressing movement and systems biology, looking at the interaction of all the body systems and how our lifestyle factors contribute to the expression of our genes. While in Chiropractic School, Dr. Auchter was the president of the Motion Palpation Club and heavily involved with the Motion Palpation Institute, attending numerous seminars and becoming skilled in a variety of chiropractic adjusting techniques. Dr. Auchter is Graston Technique certified which addresses the soft tissue component of the body, successfully treating shoulder, elbow, knee and foot pain. She often hears from her patients how much they appreciate her thorough and effective treatment methods to decrease pain and improve joint motion. Another technique used by Dr. Auchter is the Functional Movement Systems. Putting her clients through a diagnostic screening, she is able to break down dysfunctional movement patterns to find whether the cause of pain is due to muscle and joint restrictions or to a disconnect between the brain and motor control. Dr. Auchter is Webster Technique-certified by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. She enjoys treating mothers to be and children of all ages.