Car accidents are dangerous and can be fatal. Such accidents can leave a person disoriented mentally, physically and emotionally. Car accidents and post-trauma can have a severe impact on the body.
The most delicate body part that gets affected during a car accident is the neck because it is not protected. The neck suffers a high impact jerk during the accident, and the person may experience whiplash. Many people do not experience any pain or discomfort initially. But after a week or so, they can feel mild pain in the neck and shoulder “all of a sudden.” This pain will keep increasing if not taken seriously; It’s best to get immediate treatment for it.
If you’re in a car crash, one of the first things you should do afterward is see a chiropractor. When you visit a chiropractor, you will get to know about the actual condition of your neck. They will diagnose your body and analyze whether your neck is out of alignment or not.
How To Know When Your Neck Is Aligned or Not?
In a normal condition when your body is perfectly aligned, your neck, shoulder, back and hips will be in a straight line. Your spine is a straight line that ensures all the body parts are in proper alignment. When all the body parts are in alignment, you do not face any pain or discomfort. When there are issues with body alignment, though, you will face problems while sitting, standing or sleeping.
When you have a misalignment in your neck, you will feel pain and stiffness while moving your neck in different directions. Just try to tilt your head in different directions and observe where you are feeling pain.
When you visit a chiropractor for the first time, they will conduct physical tests and possibly take X-rays to check on the alignment of your neck. Once they get to know the actual condition of your neck, they will define a treatment plan for you. Proper chiropractic treatment will help you prevent musculoskeletal difficulties in the long run.
Besides the physical examination(s), the chiropractor will learn about your symptoms. These symptoms will help show whether your neck is misaligned or not.
What Are The Symptoms Of Neck Misalignment?
The spine is the strongest part of the body and is made of connected bones. The spine is connected to the skull and runs down to the pelvic bone. If you have a strong spine, you have proper stability in your body. Apart from supporting your body and neck, the nerves connected to the body have a proper path to send the various signals to and from thanks to an aligned spine.
Here are some of the important signs or symptoms that will help you know whether you are suffering from neck misalignment or not:
- Knee pain
- Neck pain
- Fatigue
- Lower back pain
- Numbness or tingling
- Chronic headaches
- Hip pain
- Frequent illnesses
Besides these common symptoms, chronic neck pain can also suggest that you might be suffering from neck misalignment. Do you always feel a sharp pain in the muscles of your neck? Are you having trouble while making movements with your neck? This may happen due to stiffness in the neck muscles. Are you having chronic pain in the shoulder joints? Is shoulder pain spreading to your arms or fingers? Can you grip and lift objects with your hands? Can you walk okay, with good balance? These are some of the questions a chiropractor might ask you.
Chiropractic Treatment For Neck Misalignment
Usually chiropractors will employ spinal manipulation for correcting your neck. Through spinal manipulation, the chiropractor will realign the spine so that proper nerve functioning is restored. After several chiropractic sessions, you should get relief from chronic neck pain, improve the range of your muscles and reduce stiffness. You will not just have better strength in your neck, but your overall health will be improved as well.
Summary:
Been in a car crash? Experiencing neck pain? In Wesley Chapel, FL, visit New Tampa Chiropractic & Injury Center at 2312 Crestover Lane, Suite 102, in Wesley Chapel. Call 813-994-6111 for more info or to schedule an appointment.