If you’ve ever been in a car accident, even a minor fender-bender, you know how disorienting it can be. One minute, you’re driving along, and the next, your heart’s pounding, your adrenaline is pumping, and your neck doesn’t feel quite right. In the days that follow, you might notice soreness in places you didn’t even realize were injured. Whether it’s immediate or delayed, car accidents can leave you with aches and pains that shouldn’t be ignored.
That’s where chiropractic care comes in. At AICA Orthopedics in Snellville, we specialize in treating patients who’ve been in auto accidents. Our team of experienced chiropractors works closely with other medical professionals, orthopedic doctors, neurologists, physical therapists, and more to provide you with a comprehensive, all-in-one approach to your recovery.
If you’re wondering whether chiropractic care is right for you after a crash, keep reading. We’ll explore common symptoms, when to see a doctor, and how chiropractic treatment can make a big difference in your treatment and recovery.
Common Aches and Pains After a Car Accident
Even if your car only has a small dent or scratch, your body may have taken more of an impact than you think. It’s not unusual to feel fine immediately after the accident, only to wake up the next day with stiffness, soreness, or a pounding headache. Symptoms after a car accident can range from mild to severe, and in many cases, they don’t show up right away. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to how your body feels in the hours and days following an accident.
Here are some of the most common complaints people experience after a car accident:
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Lower back pain
- Headaches or migraines
- Shoulder and upper back discomfort
- Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
- Muscle spasms
- Reduced range of motion
- Fatigue and trouble concentrating
Why You Need to See a Car Accident Doctor
Car accidents aren’t just about the damage you can see; in fact, many injuries are internal and may have obvious symptoms right away. At AICA Orthopedics, we always recommend getting evaluated after an accident, even if you feel okay. Here are 3 reasons why you should see a car accident doctor as soon as possible:
1. Delayed Symptoms Are Common
It’s incredibly common for symptoms to appear days or even weeks after you’ve been in a car accident. Soft tissue injuries like whiplash can also take time to develop. By the time the pain sets in, inflammation and misalignments could already be making things worse.
2. You Could Be Masking Pain with Adrenaline
Adrenaline spikes during a crash, which can mask pain and injury. Once your body calms down, those hidden issues can suddenly make themselves known. We call these hidden injuries because your body goes into fight or flight mode to help keep you safe in the immediate aftermath of a stressful event like a car accident.
3. A Diagnosis Can Prevent Long-Term Problems
Undiagnosed injuries can lead to chronic pain and other complications like mobility issues. Getting checked out by a professional car accident doctor early can help prevent long-term complications. Seeing a car accident doctor right away will also help support your case and connect your symptoms to the accident.
Common Car Accident Injuries We Treat
Car accidents can affect virtually every part of the body, but certain injuries are more common than others. At AICA Orthopedics, we regularly treat:
- Whiplash: This is one of the most common injuries after a rear-end collision. It causes neck pain, headaches, and stiffness. Whiplash occurs when the head is suddenly jolted backward and then forward, which can strain the muscles and ligaments in your neck. If left untreated, whiplash can lead to chronic neck pain and long-term mobility issues.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains, strains, and bruising can cause lingering pain and limited mobility. These injuries often affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments and may not show up on X-rays. Our car accident chiropractors use targeted therapies like manual adjustments and massage to reduce inflammation and restore function.
- Back Injuries: Lower back pain is common and may be due to strained muscles, spinal misalignment, or disc problems. The force of a collision can jolt your spine out of alignment, leading to pain that radiates through your hips and legs. Without proper treatment, these back issues can become long-lasting and debilitating.
- Concussions: Even without hitting your head, your brain can experience trauma during a crash. Concussions can cause headaches, dizziness, memory problems, and sensitivity to light or noise. At AICA, we offer neurological evaluations alongside chiropractic care to ensure your brain health is closely monitored.
- Herniated Discs: The impact of a car crash can cause the spinal discs to bulge or rupture. This can put pressure on nearby nerves and cause pain, numbness, or weakness in your limbs. Chiropractic care can help relieve pressure on the spine and promote disc healing.
- Joint Pain: Shoulders, knees, and hips can be thrown out of alignment during a collision. You might experience swelling, limited range of motion, or clicking sensations in the joints. Our chiropractors assess joint function and use gentle, targeted adjustments to restore proper alignment.
- Sciatica: Pain that radiates from your lower back down one leg, often due to nerve compression. This is typically caused by herniated discs or spinal misalignment that irritates the sciatic nerve. Chiropractic techniques like spinal decompression and stretching can relieve pressure and reduce nerve-related pain.
How a Chiropractor Can Help After a Car Accident
Chiropractors are experts in treating a wide range of car accident injuries. Here’s what you can expect when you visit a chiropractor after a car accident:
1. Drug-Free Pain Relief
One of the biggest advantages of chiropractic care is that it doesn’t rely on medications to mask the pain. Instead, chiropractors use spinal adjustments and physical therapies to address the root cause of your pain and other symptoms. This is especially appealing to people who want to avoid opioids or the side effects of pain medication.
2. Non-Invasive Healing
Unlike surgery, chiropractic treatment is a non-invasive treatment approach. That means there’s no downtime, no incisions, and no long recovery periods. Non-invasive techniques like manual adjustments, spinal decompression, and therapeutic exercises help restore proper alignment and encourage the body to heal naturally.
3. Restoring Range of Motion
After a car accident, inflammation and misalignment can restrict your mobility. Chiropractic adjustments help realign the spine and joints, which also helps relieve pressure on nerves and muscles. Over time, this can help restore the full range of motion and prevent scar tissue from forming that further limits movement.
4. Reducing Inflammation
Even small misalignments in the spine can trigger inflammation throughout the body. Chiropractic adjustments help relieve pressure and restore balance to your nervous system, which also reduces inflammation and speeds up the healing process.
5. Preventing Chronic Pain
When untreated injuries are left to linger, they can evolve into chronic conditions that are much harder to treat. By seeing a chiropractor soon after your accident, you can address injuries early and avoid long-term pain, stiffness, or other complications.
What to Expect After Visiting a Chiropractor for a Car Accident Injury
After your first visit to the chiropractor following a car accident, you’ll likely feel some initial relief, but healing does take time. Your chiropractor will begin with a full evaluation, often including X-rays or diagnostic imaging, to better understand the extent of your injuries. From there, they will develop a personalized treatment plan to address your specific symptoms and promote long-term recovery.
You may experience soreness or pain after chiropractic care, especially in the beginning, as your body adapts to healthy alignment. Over the following visits, most people don’t report feeling sore after chiropractic adjustments, but instead, they experience improved mobility and better overall function. Your care may also include complementary therapies like massage, physical therapy, or spinal decompression, all under one roof at AICA Orthopedics.
What to Expect at AICA Orthopedics in Snellville
When you visit AICA Orthopedics, you’re not just seeing a chiropractor; you’re gaining access to an entire team of accident recovery specialists. Here’s what sets us apart:
- On-site Diagnostics: We have MRI, X-ray, and CT scan capabilities right in our office, so there’s no delay in diagnosing your injuries, and you can get all the care you need under one roof.
- Collaborative Care: Chiropractors work alongside orthopedic doctors, neurologists, physical therapists, and pain management specialists to create a customized treatment plan in one convenient location.
- Same-Day Appointments: We understand how urgent post-accident care is, so we offer same-day or next-day appointments whenever possible.
Let AICA Snellville Help You Heal
If you’ve been in a car accident, don’t wait for pain to set in before getting checked out. Whether you’re experiencing symptoms or just want peace of mind, our Snellville chiropractors are here to help. At AICA Orthopedics, we believe in treating the whole person, not just the symptoms. With personalized care, diagnostic imaging, and a full team of medical experts on your side, you can trust that you’re in good hands. Call us today to get started with a car accident doctor near you.