Each day, there are 15,913 car accidents. And unfortunately, some of those accidents result in injuries. In fact, throughout the course of a year, around three million people sustain injuries in car accidents each year, and that’s just what’s reported. Fortunately, a car accident chiropractor, specifically the best chiropractor in Georgia, can assist. You should know which injuries are more common that a chiropractor can address, though.
1. Brain Injuries
Brain injuries are one of the more common issues after an automobile accident. During an accident as the driver is decelerating, it could cause parties in the vehicle to be thrown forward. As a result, the brain moves quickly inside the skull.
Specifically, you could experience a concussion, which occurs from a blow, jolt, or bump to the head. With this injury, the brain bounces and possibly twists inside the skull. When this happens, chemical changes occur. You may then develop a variety of symptoms, such as the following:
- Blurry vision
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Memory loss
- Difficulty focusing
2. Whiplash
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury that stems from your neck being propelled forward and backward rapidly during a rear-end collision. It earned its name because your neck makes a motion similar to the cracking of a whip.
If you develop whiplash, you might suffer from any of these symptoms:
- Neck stiffness and pain
- Pain that worsens when you move your neck.
- Headaches
- Pain or tenderness in shoulders
- Numbness or tingling in arms
- Blurred vision
- Tinnitus
- Irritability
- Sleep disturbances
- Difficulty concentrating
- Loss of range of motion
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
Typically, whiplash lasts for up to six weeks. It could last up to six months, though.
3. Tendinitis
Tendinitis describes swelling in a tendon — collagenous tissue that connects bone and muscle. Typically, tendinitis is a repetitive stress injury. However, it can also occur from an accident when there’s direct force. Additionally, it can arise if you stretch the tendon.
If you have this injury, you may notice pain around or at the joint. Gradual or sudden bursts of severe pain could occur. Sometimes, this injury will cause a loss of motion in the joint. It could also cause stiffness.
In terms of a car accident, your shoulder is a common area for this injury from an automobile accident.
4. Sprained Ankle
Typically, an ankle injury occurs from a front-end collision. A sprain, specifically, affects a ligament that connects the bone to the foot. With a sprain, you either tear or overly stretch the ligament.
An ankle sprain may cause swelling or pain. You might also have tenderness or develop bruising. Once you get up, you may struggle to put on the affected leg.
5. Sciatica
Sciatica is a term that describes symptoms that affect the sciatic nerve. This condition occurs when there’s pressure on the nerve that causes burning, numbness, pain, or weakness in your lower back. Sometimes, the symptoms extend down the legs. Keep in mind that the symptoms tend to affect one side of the body only.
While sciatica could happen from a herniated disc during an accident, sciatica could also arise from the blunt force trauma from the accident.
An injury is possible after an automobile accident. Although these are some of the more common injuries, several others could occur as well. A car accident chiropractor can address these issues and others to help ease your pain and promote a long-term recovery.
Choose the best chiropractor in Georgia at Integrated Health & Injury Center, serving Atlanta, Decatur, and the nearby Georgia areas after an automobile accident. Our chiropractor will help you heal and ease your current level of discomfort. Contact today at 404-288-9000.