If you’ve just been involved in an auto accident your mind is probably scrambling with all the “what now’s?”. Immediately you are wondering about car insurance, rental vehicles, the damage to your car… On top of all of that, you are a little sore but aren’t sure if the impact from the crash caused any type injury. Did you know that injuries can range from severe and life-threatening to mild and barely noticeable? Sometimes, they are so mild that you might even leave the scene of the accident thinking that you’re fine until the pain starts to set-in later. But now it’s been a few days, and the dust is starting to settle and you begin to wonder, “How long will I be sore after a car accident?” “Did I actually get hurt and not know it?” 

If you are still experiencing pain after your auto accident you are not alone. Over 50% of people still experience pain three months after an accident and over 30% of people will continue to experience pain for over one year after their accident if left untreated. However, that doesn’t have to be you. Don’t let a little soreness turn into lasting pain. How do I do that you ask? We’ll tell you. 

Get Treated with Chiropractic Care 

If you’re experiencing any kind of pain following an auto accident, it is important to seek chiropractic care right away. Sometimes injuries will not surface until hours or days later because they are masked by the adrenaline rush of the accident. Whenever you are involved in a traumatic event, such as an auto accident, your body will produce hormones including adrenaline and endorphins, typically referred to as the “fight-or-flight” response, to help you survive the event. Once these hormones start to wear off, you will start to feel the pain from any injuries caused during the accident. Just because the pain is delayed, does not mean it should be ignored. The sooner you seek evaluation and treatment for your pain, the better chance you have of healing the injury as soon as possible. Leaving injuries untreated can lead to chronic pain and further injury in the future. 

Soreness Caused by Auto Accident Injuries 

There are a wide variety of injuries that you can sustain during a car accident that can lead to soreness. The back and neck are two of the most common areas that sustain injuries in car accidents but an auto accident can cause injury to anywhere on the body. Typical injuries include whiplash, sprains, strains, fractures and disc injuries. It is imperative that you do not let these injuries left untreated. These injuries can cause throbbing or sharp pains, tingling, numbness or weakness.  

Why Choose an Auto Injury Chiropractor

A chiropractor is trained to treat injuries associated with the neck and spine that are often overlooked by other doctors. A chiropractor will take a full-body, natural approach to making sure your injuries are addressed and your body is restored to its full range of motion.

Common techniques used by chiropractors to address injuries and soreness include:

• Manual Therapy
• Joint rehabilitation and mobilization
• Rehabilitation exercises
• Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization
• Electronic stimulation

In addition to these techniques, a chiropractor will also always take a drug-free approach to treating your injuries. This is so important because it will one, not allow your injuries to be masked by medications and two, it will ensure that a drug-dependency problem is not created. The last thing you want to do when trying to heal one issue is to create another.

So, to answer the original question: how long should you be sore after a car accident? You shouldn’t! Don’t wait and think your pain will subside or just go away. Seek the care of a chiropractor as soon as possible to ensure that your body is able to heal quickly. Even if your pain seems minimal, it is worth an evaluation to make sure there isn’t an injury that is just waiting to get worse. Chiropractic treatment is proven to help pain caused by auto accidents. Studies also show that early treatment significantly improves treatment outcome. So don’t wait!

How Long Does Chiropractic Treatment Take

Typical chiropractic and rehabilitative treatment plans for car accident injuries last between 12-20 visits and can have you back and better than ever in just a few weeks. You should not have to deal with the lasting effects of a car accident long-term or for the rest of your life! Help and hope are available and the science shows that it works!

Take it from our very own, Dr. Kirsten Gilmour, our Fairfax Clinic Director,

“Recovery of patients who have experienced injuries from a car accident truly demonstrates how pain affects daily life. Since these patients have immediate & acute injuries, I see a dramatic difference from beginning to end of care. It’s always so rewarding to see patients returning to their goals and all that has been previously negatively impacted by their injuries!”

Start with Kaizo Health’s Chiropractic Care for Auto Accident Injuries

Our goal at Kaizo Health is to always get you back to feeling 100%. Not only will our doctors provide treatment to help you be pain-free, but we also have a dedicated team that will work with you and your insurance to make sure you get the most from your benefits so that you can experience relief for as little cost to you as possible. If you are ready to experience relief from the pain caused by your auto accident, make an appointment to see us now.

At Kaizo Health, our world-class team of chiropractors in Rockville, MD; Landover, MD; Fort Washington, MD; and Fairfax, VA, practices an evidence-based approach combining chiropractic care and guided, individualized rehabilitative exercises prescription. We provide the treatment and resources you need to recover your health and strength as best-in-class, state-of-the-art auto injury chiropractors. If you are suffering pain from a car accident, don’t hesitate to contact us here. We are here to help! In the meantime, make sure that you check out our blog for more information on the chiropractic field, as well as our free virtual self-assessment chiropractic web app here. 

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