Motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) can cause injuries even at relatively low speeds. The sudden forces placed on the body may affect the muscles, ligaments, joints, discs, and nervous system, sometimes resulting in pain that develops immediately or appears days or even weeks later. Common complaints after an accident include neck pain, back pain, headaches, stiffness, reduced range of motion, and pain radiating into the shoulders or arms.

Key Insight:

Chiropractic care focuses on evaluating and restoring healthy movement of the spine and joints following injury. After a motor vehicle accident, restricted joint motion, muscle tension, and soft tissue injuries may contribute to pain and impaired function. Through a comprehensive examination and individualized treatment plan, chiropractors work to address these mechanical problems while supporting the body's natural healing process.

Research suggests that conservative care, including chiropractic adjustments, manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and patient education, may help reduce pain, improve mobility, and restore function in patients recovering from certain musculoskeletal injuries associated with motor vehicle collisions. Early assessment is important because some injuries, including whiplash-associated disorders, may worsen over time if left untreated.

Every treatment plan is tailored to the individual's injuries, symptoms, medical history, imaging findings (when appropriate), and overall health. Depending on the severity of the injury, chiropractic care may be provided independently or as part of a collaborative healthcare team that includes primary care physicians, physical therapists, orthopedic specialists, neurologists, or other medical providers.

If you've recently been involved in a motor vehicle accident, seeking a prompt evaluation can help identify injuries, establish appropriate treatment, and support your recovery. Even if symptoms seem mild initially, an examination can determine whether further evaluation or treatment is recommended.

Interested in learning whether chiropractic care is appropriate after your accident? Contact our office today to schedule a comprehensive evaluation and discuss your personalized recovery plan.

Contact Us:

Dr. Peter Britton, DC & Dr. Alyssa Lenox, DC
1111 N. Northgate Way
Seattle, WA 98133
Phone: 206-523-2225
Appointments can be made on our website: https://intouchwithhealthseattle.com/home

Sources:

• The Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders: Results of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 Task Force. Spine. Available through PubMed.

• Côté P, Wong JJ, Sutton DA, et al. Management of Neck Pain and Associated Disorders: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) Collaboration. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. Available through PubMed.

• Blanpied PR, Gross AR, Elliott JM, et al. Neck Pain: Revision 2017 Clinical Practice Guidelines. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. Available through PubMed.

• Cassidy JD, Carroll LJ, Côté P. Research on recovery and prognosis following whiplash-associated disorders. Available through PubMed.