The winter is not friendly to travelers. With an abundance of ice and snow in the Midwest, the winter wreaks havoc on travel plans, commutes, and emergency vehicle travel resulting in many injuries and deaths due to hazardous road conditions every year. All car crashes are different, and the severity depends on everything from speed, road conditions, and vehicles involved, but there are common injuries between most crashes that result from the sudden impact (many of which are treatable by chiropractors). Winter is coming, so staying safe by driving at an appropriate speed and always remaining alert during travel will help you avoid injury; however, if you find yourself injured after a crash and experience one of these common injuries, speaking with a chiropractor can be a great way to start feeling relief!
Crash Report
According to the Federal Department of Transportation, “more than 116,800 people are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy or icy pavement annually.” This is a massive number of people experiencing injuries each winter from crashes. Some common injuries people experience in these crashes are:
- Whiplash
- Sprained Wrists, Shoulders, and Ankles
- Back Strain
- Neck Injuries
- Concussion
Each of these injuries can range in severity, and it is important to know that if you are experiencing extreme pain, discomfort, or any concerning symptoms after a car crash that you should seek the advice of your primary care physician or emergency medical help first. After any accident, make sure to be kind to your body and treat it gently for a few days after the incident because some of these injuries such as whiplash can take a day or two to appear.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractors are not miracle workers, but they have many techniques they can use to help you return to feeling normal again. Chiropractors are familiar with all the joints, bones, and muscles in the body, and can provide an alignment and chiropractic manipulation to reduce the pain almost instantly. After just a few visits, most whiplash symptoms can be significantly reduced or even completely disappear. It is important that you receive treatment for injuries such as whiplash and other injuries that seem to stick around for a long time as sometimes this can be an indication of a deeper issue.
Whiplash is a very important injury to address as when left untreated it can sometimes result in permanent damage alongside chronic pain and stiffness. If you believe you are experiencing the symptoms of whiplash (including stiffness and pain in the neck back or arms, headache, dizziness, and/or nausea) you should schedule an appointment with your care provider or chiropractor to ensure that you are not more severely injured and create a plan for the treatment of your symptoms.
Final Thoughts
There are many dangers that come with driving in the winter, but thankfully many of these can be avoided with careful driving. However, for those injuries that cannot be avoided, modern medicine makes it very possible for most victims of car accidents to make full recoveries. If you experience a car crash that results in whiplash or any other common injury, you should seek medical assistance in order to be certain that you are not experiencing any major injury and to treat the symptoms you’re experiencing.
