Car Accident in Chalfont

Car Accident Injuries Specialist

You may not feel like you need to see a doctor after a minor car accident, but if you’re feeling achy or stiff in your shoulders, it’s time to see a chiropractor. Studies show that one-third of all people in the United States who have been in a car accident see a chiropractor for their injuries. Dr. Jerry Schaeffer at the Hilltown Family Chiropractic in Chalfont, Pennsylvania, is an expert in just those kinds of injuries and can figure out the best treatment to get you back to good health.

Car Accident Injuries Q & A

Do I need to see a doctor after a minor car accident?

Car accidents come in many forms: a sideswipe, a rollover, a rear-end collision. You may feel a bit sheepish about going to see a doctor after a parking lot bump, but the truth is people can get injured in a collision going as slow as five miles an hour.

It doesn’t matter that you didn’t have to be taken to the hospital, any sudden jostling can do permanent damage to your neck, shoulders, and back if your muscles were strained or your ligaments were damaged in the impact. And it may take a few days before you even realize that you’re hurt.

What causes whiplash?

When you are violently jerked in a car, your neck and back snap back and forth, twisting the muscles and ligaments in the neck. That’s whiplash. Whiplash is one of the most frequent injuries suffered in a car accident, and it’s important to have it looked at right away.

Contact sports like football can also cause whiplash, and one in five people who have experienced whiplash suffer prolonged disability if it’s not treated properly.

How do I know if I’ve suffered whiplash?

If your neck was strained in a car crash, chances are you’ve had whiplash. Symptoms could include:

• Persistent pain
• Headaches
• Stiffness or soreness in the back, shoulders, and neck
• Decreased range of motion in your neck or shoulders
• Numbness in your arms or fingers
• Moodiness or depression
• Trouble sleeping
• Vision or focusing problems
• Dizziness

Studies have revealed that more than half of all patients who have settled whiplash claims continue to suffer symptoms many years later. A fast treatment regimen could help solve the problem quickly. Treatment may include massage, manipulation, relaxation, stimulation, and chiropractic tools to relieve the sore ligaments.

If you’ve suffered whiplash, Dr. Schaeffer can perform some gentle chiropractic adjustments to help ease your aches and pains.