Hidden Problems in Car Accidents

When it comes to car accidents, paramedics are often the first health care professionals who attend to your needs. However, many accidents do not involve life-threatening injuries and many people think they are fine, when in fact they may still have serious problems.  Some people encounter pain and tension right away. For others, the symptoms may get worse over time. Whether the impact occurs from the front or the rear, your neck is usually the most vulnerable area of your body in any motor vehicle accident. Car collisions involve rapid changes in acceleration and deceleration. Your body is held relatively still by a seat belt, whereas your head and neck are free to move.

This typically results in the neck moving very rapidly through an excessive range of motion, contributing to hyperflexion-hyperextension injuries that can affect soft tissues in the neck, as well as joint capsules and intervertebral discs. Whiplash is the name often associated with car accident neck injuries. Symptoms from whiplash may include any or all of the following: neck pain and inflammation, arm pain, numbness or tingling, headaches, nausea, and dizziness.

Depending upon the degree of injury, your recommended course of action will differ. To determine what you should do, first consult with your chiropractor as they specialize in problems related to the nerves, muscles, joints and connective tissues of the spine.