Neck pain is a common problem after a car accident, and it's something that Robert C Slater, DC sees frequently in our Highland Park, Saint Paul, Minnesota office. What causes neck pain after a car crash? How can chiropractic care help?
Your neck is subjected to very high forces during a collision, so it's not surprising that neck pain is so common from this type of injury. During even a low velocity collision, your head is subjected to extremely rapid acceleration. In such accidents, a head that normally weighs about 10 pounds can suddenly weigh eight times as much. This force exerts a serious strain on the tissues of the neck. The bones of your neck are held together with strong bands of tissue called ligaments, and these ligaments provide stability for your neck. These ligaments can be sprained during a collision, just as your ankle ligaments can be sprained. A sprain means that the ligament is stretched or torn.
When you experience a sprained ligament, the injured area become swollen and tender, and that's what takes place after a car crash. Your chiropractor helps by increasing flexibility in the injured region, which helps the ligaments heal and helps minimize scar tissue.
If you've been injured in a car crash and you're experiencing neck pain, Robert C Slater, DC is here to help. The first step is to get an accurate diagnosis to determine what's causing your symptoms and then we will determine an appropriate treatment plan of action. Ready to make an appointment? Give us a call at (651) 699-3366 and we'll get you back on the road to health.
