Recovering After a Car Accident - The Road to Recovery

A motor vehicle accident can affect much more than just the neck. The sudden forces generated during a collision can stress the muscles, joints, ligaments, and other tissues throughout the body, contributing to whiplash, headaches, low-back pain, shoulder pain, hip discomfort, stiffness, and reduced mobility. For some patients, these symptoms may persist well beyond the initial accident.

Research supports conservative, multimodal treatment for many musculoskeletal injuries following a collision. Clinical guidelines for whiplash-associated disorders recommend approaches incorporating manual therapy, exercise, patient education, and progressive movement to help reduce pain and restore function.[1] A systematic review specifically examining chiropractic management of whiplash also reported evidence suggesting improvements in neck pain and cervical range of motion, although the authors noted limitations in the quality of the available research.[2]

Low-back pain is another important consequence of auto accidents. Research has found that individuals injured in a motor vehicle collision have an increased risk of developing future low-back pain.[3] In patients who developed chronic low-back pain following a collision, researchers have identified the lumbar discs, sacroiliac joints, and facet joints as potential sources of persistent pain.[4]

Similarly, a JAMA systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials found that spinal manipulative therapy was associated with statistically significant improvements in both pain and function for acute low-back pain.[6]

The goal of chiropractic care following an auto accident is not simply short-term pain relief. A comprehensive approach focuses on reducing pain and flare-ups, restoring mobility, improving strength and function, and helping patients safely return to work, exercise, and everyday activities.

At NovaSpine Chiropractic in Venice, FL, we take a comprehensive approach to auto-injury recovery. In addition to chiropractic care, treatment plans may incorporate manual therapy, therapeutic exercise and rehabilitation, electrical stimulation, acupuncture, and other appropriate therapies based on each patient's injuries and needs. If you or someone you know has been in a recent or previous car accident, NovaSpine Chiropractic is here to help reduce pain and flare-ups, restore mobility and function, and support a confident return to the activities you enjoy.

References:
1. Bussières AE, Stewart G, Al-Zoubi F, et al. The Treatment of Neck Pain-Associated Disorders and Whiplash-Associated Disorders: A Clinical Practice Guideline. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2016;39(8):523-564.e27. 2. Shaw L, Descarreaux M, Bryans R, et al. A systematic review of chiropractic management of adults with Whiplash-Associated Disorders: recommendations for advancing evidence-based practice and research. Work. 2010;35(3):369-394. 3. Nolet PS, Emary PC, Kristman VL, et al. Exposure to a motor vehicle collision and the risk of future back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Accid Anal Prev. 2020;142:105546. 4. DePalma MJ, Ketchum JM, Saullo TR, Schofferman J. Structural etiology of chronic low back pain due to motor vehicle collision. Pain Med. 2011;12(11):1622-1627. 5. Goertz CM, Long CR, Vining RD, et al. Effect of Usual Medical Care Plus Chiropractic Care vs Usual Medical Care Alone on Pain and Disability Among US Service Members With Low Back Pain: A Comparative Effectiveness Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2018;1(1). 6. Paige NM, Miake-Lye IM, Booth MS, et al. Association of Spinal Manipulative Therapy With Clinical Benefit and Harm for Acute Low Back Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA. 2017;317(14):1451-1460.