The benefits of chiropractic care after a car accident

by Mona Gallagher

It wasn't long ago that chiropractic care was designated as unreliable and a sham. Today doctors recommend chiropractic care for patients and insurance providers pay for it. Can chiropractic care provide benefits and proper care after a car accident?

Generally with injuries and strains, rest and bed rest is an integral part of medical treatment. A chiropractor manipulates the spine, massages, and provides stretching exercises to alleviate pain and patients can be made more comfortable with this type of treatment.

Back Pain:

Research agrees that patients can benefit about the same from chiropractic, physical therapy or medical care where there is mechanical back pain. The reason they're all effective is that healing must take place before the pain is eliminated. Healing is the key to wellness here and not the chiropractic care.

Duration of back pain is usually a few weeks in the healing process and if it does not heal, with or without treatment, you may need to see an osteopathic specialist for a definitive diagnosis.

If you're had spinal surgery you should check with your physician before seeing a chiropractor. In fact, if you see a chiropractor, make it a team effort with your primary physician heading the team. Your medical chart will be complete and include reports and results from the chiropractor so you can avoid or head off complications.

Neck Injury:

Neck pain and injury from an automobile accident is a different matter. The dangers are more pronounced when the therapy or treatment is concentrated in the neck area and chiropractic treatment should be avoided.

Manipulation of the neck can cause problems with your vascular system and sometimes bring on a stroke and it can also cause problems with your back. Elderly people who take blood thinners or who are being treated for vascular disease. This is another reason for coordinating chiropractic care with your primary physician. He knows the dangers.

Although the profession of chiropractic treatment has come a long way in respectability, there are situations you should avoid.

*A chiropractic care facility that gives a diagnosis of subluxated vertebrae is not practicing within the confines of good chiropractic care.

*No neck manipulation of any kind.

*No daily visits and no follow up care after the pain is gone.

*No children should be taken to a chiropractor according to experts.

Here are some other things you should know for preventive health measures.

Lifestyle habits:

*Safety: Don't lift objects using the back; let your legs carry the weight.

*Stop smoking; smoking restricts the blood flow to the lower spine.

*Maintain a healthy weight to avoid back strain

*Maintain good posture; sit up straight.

Good chiropractic professionals deal with mechanical back pain and they don't use instruments or other mechanical devices to diagnose back problems.

Should you see a chiropractor? The decision is yours but make it an informed decision and avoid the dangers associated with the profession. Always include your primary care physician in the process.

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