Yes, but only one who is experienced in diagnosing and treating soft-tissue trauma. I have treated many car accident victims over the years. The first priority is to rule out “red flags”; i.e. conditons that require immediate medical intervention. This includes hematomas (bleeding around the brain), concussions, vertebral fractures, ligament ruptures, and internal organ damage.
Most people in low-speed car accidents (rear-end collisions) will have injuries limited to soft-tissue trauma and can be seen by a chiropractor. My treatment approach to treating car accident-induced whiplash is to reduce the rate of swelling by using ice and lymphatic massage, and doing passive range of motion stretches to prevent scar tissue adhesions, which, if allowed to take place can limit neck flexibility. Interactive electric stim is used to reduce pain, and light therapy is used to enhance tissue repair.
Oftentimes following a car accident, one or several cervical (neck) vertebrae may be nudged out of alignment. This can cause problems in the future and must be corrected. As pain decreases, gentle chiropractic spinal manipulation is done to restore proper vertebral alignment and joint function. This, along with stength and coordination exercises will help ensure a return to normal functional capacity.
If you’ve recently been in a car accident, make sure to get checked for vertebral dysfunction. Our clinic is open Mondays through Fridays in downtown San Francisco.
Dan Perez, DC
(415) 627-9077
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Even those involved in low-speed accidents should see their chiropractor to rule out a whiplash injury that, if left untreated, can have ramifications for years.