Car accidents are a leading cause of concussions, a type of traumatic brain injury that can have serious and long-lasting effects. While traditional medical treatments are crucial, many people find that chiropractic care offers additional benefits in the recovery process.
In this article, we’ll explore how chiropractic care can help with concussions after a car accident, providing a comprehensive guide to understanding and utilizing this alternative treatment.
What is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury. This can happen due to a direct blow to the head or a sudden movement that causes the brain to hit the inner walls of the skull.
This brain injury is often a result of a violent hit to the head, which can be caused during a car accident. A concussion can occur during a car accident when the head suddenly hits an object or is violently shaken.
Recognizing Concussion Symptoms
Concussions are often overlooked as injuries after a car accident, due to the nature of its symptoms. Most people will not be able to identify a concussion until days or even weeks after the accident. This is because the symptoms of a concussion can be delayed and may not appear immediately.
Despite the progression of a concussion not being exponentially fast, it should still be treated as a traumatic brain injury and one should seek medical treatment. When you start to experience symptoms, it is idle to make an appointment with a medical provider to start your journey to recovery.
Symptoms of a Concussion
Concussions can manifest through various symptoms, including:
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Headaches
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Dizziness
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Nausea
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Confusion
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Memory loss
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Sensitivity to light and noise
The Effects of a Concussion
Car accidents have a profound impact on the brain, leading to injuries that may not be immediately apparent. It is incredibly important to treat a traumatic brain injury, like a concussion with urgency and intention. Early and effective treatment is essential to mitigate these risks. There are many ways to treat a concussion, and chiropractic treatment has been one that evidence suggests will assist in the healing process.
A concussion can impact a lot of aspects of your daily life. The symptoms can always become a medical nightmare, but it’s usually the day to day stuff that gets affected the most. An example of this could be the blurred vision impacting your ability to drive a car. These effects are ways that a concussion can disturb your daily life.
How Concussions are Diagnosed
Chiropractic care can help with concussions that are caused from traumatic events such as a car accident. A car accident can lead to a variety of injuries, with concussions being one of the most common yet overlooked. The reason that these are most commonly overlooked by both patients and medical professionals is because of the commonality of the symptoms. The symptoms are Understanding how chiropractic care can aid in the recovery from concussions is crucial for anyone seeking holistic and non-invasive treatment options.
Concussions are typically diagnosed through physical examinations and cognitive tests conducted by healthcare professionals. Imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs may be used to rule out more severe brain injuries. These can often be time consuming, but it’s important to take the time to seek medical treatment to be able to confirm a concussion.
Before concussion treatment can begin, often times a physical exam will be done by a medical provider, followed by recommendations for the next step to recovery. This next step will often lead a patient to receive chiropractic treatment.
Chiropractic treatment is a popular and effective method for treating concussions. Sometimes just the trauma of a car accident and the immediate injuries will overshadow the symptoms of a concussion. This is why is it incredibly important to know what a concussion is, what it looks like and how to treat one.
Chiropractic Care Treatments
Chiropractic care focuses on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal disorders, particularly those related to the spine. Chiropractors perform spinal adjustments to correct misalignments, alleviate pain, and promote overall health. Along with spinal adjustments, a chiropractor can provide a number of treatment methods to provide relief.
Chiropractors can create an individualized care plan depending on the severity and state of a current head injury, such as a concussion. These therapies and treatments can treat symptoms such as cognitive symptoms, common symptoms, muscle pain, repeated vomiting, blurred vision, difficulty concentrating or any other symptoms.
Common Techniques Used by Chiropractors
Some common techniques include spinal manipulation, mobilization, and soft tissue therapy. During a traumatic event, such as a car accident, a rapid movement or sudden bump will lead to a patient experiencing symptoms of a concussion. In order to aid the injury, a chiropractor will use various techniques to relieve pain. Both a severe and mild traumatic brain injury can be aided by spinal decompression in the cervical spine, a common practice used by qualified chiropractors.
There are many therapies used relieve pain in chiropractic patients suffering from a head injury or many concussion symptoms.
Some of the therapies used are:
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Laser therapy
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Shockwave therapy
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Trigger point therapy
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Soft tissue therapy
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Frequency specific microcurrent
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Ultrasound therapy and STEM therapy.
The purpose of these therapies are to get you back to your best self with hopes of reaching a complete recovery.
How Chiropractic Care Helps with Concussions
Chiropractic care can be particularly beneficial for individuals recovering from concussions due to its holistic and non-invasive approach. One of the approaches used most often by chiropractors is spinal or joint manipulation. These can be often referred to as chiropractic adjustments. Adjusting the spine and neck can relieve pressure on the nervous system, facilitating better communication between the brain and the rest of the body.
When it comes to treating a patient that has endured a concussion or head trauma from an auto accident, it is important to have a chiropractor that is informed. They should be informed on symptoms that could affect brain function and blood flow to the brain stem. Chiropractors receive advanced training that allows them to understand both musculoskeletal or nervous systems and their relations to different symptoms displayed in the body.
Alleviating Symptoms of Concussions
Chiropractic care can help alleviate common concussion symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and neck pain through targeted adjustments and therapies. These targeted adjustments and therapies can also treat deeper symptoms such as blurred vision, brain function, post concussion syndrome symptoms and even both central nervous system injuries and autonomic nervous system injuries. With so many symptoms, it’s important to have somebody that is both reliable and informed on the severity of concussions.
Due to the trauma of the unnaturally abrupt motion caused by car accidents, other symptoms can be more neurological than others. This is the reason why an initial visit to a chiropractor is so vital to recovery. It allows them to get to see the symptoms of the brain injury and provide treatment options. Chiropractors will also often incorporate lifestyle advice and rehabilitation exercises into their treatment plans, promoting overall healing and wellness.
Chiropractic Care Treatments for Concussions
There are numerous benefits to choosing chiropractic care for concussion recovery.
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Non-invasive Treatment: Chiropractic care is a non-invasive treatment option that avoids the need for surgery or medication.
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Personalized Care Plans:Chiropractors create personalized care plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs and conditions.
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Holistic Approach to Healing: Chiropractic care focuses on the body as a whole, addressing underlying issues that contribute to symptoms and promoting overall health.
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Finding the Right Chiropractor: Choosing the right chiropractor is crucial for effective treatment and recovery.
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What to Look for in a Chiropractor: Look for a chiropractor with experience in treating concussions and a good reputation in the community.
Chiropractic Care vs. Traditional Medical Treatments
Comparing chiropractic care to traditional medical treatments can help you make an informed decision about your recovery plan. Both chiropractic care and traditional treatments have their strengths and can be effective depending on the individual case. Chiropractic care is often described as the peaceful middle ground between the medical world and the holistic world. Their understanding of both concussions and common injury is what allows them to be able to find the best treatment plan for their patients.
There are also many approaches that a chiropractic can take when treating a concussion. It usually will come down to the symptoms that the patient is experiencing as well as the results of both a physical exam and medical history. The thing that is most tricky about concussions is the possibility of a differential diagnosis. This means that many symptoms can lead a medical provider to suspect multiple different diagnosis. By understanding the different approaches to chiropractic care for concussions, a patient is able to trust that they are on the right path to recovery.
Understanding the Limitations of Each Approach
While it is incredibly important to become knowledgeable about the different chiropractic approaches, it also important to understand the limitations of each approach and how they can complement each other for optimal recovery.
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Integrating Chiropractic Care with Other Therapies: Combining chiropractic care with other therapies can enhance the recovery process.
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Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can help restore strength and mobility, complementing chiropractic adjustments.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can address the psychological effects of concussions, such as anxiety and depression.
The Concussion Protocol at Addison Chiropractic
At Addison Chiropractic and Sport Clinic, our chiropractors are well versed with providing relief after a car accident. Often times after a car accident, a patient will not only come in with bodily pains but also come in displaying many symptoms of a concussion. After a medical analysis and patient evaluation, they will often start a patient on the concussion protocol.
At Addison Chiropractic, the concussion protocol includes 30 minutes of multiple therapies. This protocol has yielded excellent results within their patients, with many seeing concussion relief within the first appointment.
Conclusion
Chiropractic care offers a promising and holistic approach to treating concussions resulting from car accidents. Chiropractic treatment can significantly aid in the recovery process by addressing the root causes and promoting overall wellness.
If you or someone you know has suffered a concussion from a car accident, considering chiropractic care could be a vital step toward healing. It is important to always prioritize your health and seek any assistance that will help you recover fully from a concussion.
If you are interested in receiving personalized chiropractic care, consider consulting expert providers like Dr. Jason Addison and Dr. Andrew Yeager at Addison Chiropractic and Sports Clinic. Simply fill out the form below to get started, and our team will contact you to arrange your initial consultation.
FAQs
What should I expect during my first chiropractic visit?
On your initial visit, the chiropractor will perform a comprehensive examination, review your medical history, and develop a tailored treatment plan just for you.
How long does it take to see results from chiropractic care?
Results can vary, but many patients start to see improvements within a few weeks of regular treatment.
Are there any risks associated with chiropractic care?
Chiropractic care is generally safe when performed by a qualified professional. However, it’s important to discuss any concerns with your chiropractor.
Can chiropractic care help with other injuries from car accidents?
Yes, chiropractic care can be beneficial for various injuries, including whiplash, back pain, and soft tissue injuries.
How do I find a qualified chiropractor near me?
Look for recommendations from healthcare providers, read reviews, and check the chiropractor’s credentials and experience.