Getting in a car accident can be a traumatic experience, causing people to ignore new symptoms they may not have had before it occurred. One of these symptoms is headaches. Some people may start getting headaches right after the accident. However, others may not get them for a few days or even weeks. Whether headaches occur immediately or within weeks of an accident, it is important to seek care and discuss the symptoms with your doctor.
Timely treatment for headaches, or other symptoms, reduces the chance of long term disability caused by whiplash or soft tissue injury. Also, the sooner you get treated for headaches after an accident, the sooner you can resume normal activities. Missed work due to an injury can be costly, so proper care following an accident is crucial.
It is important to note that the severity of the crash doesn’t always determine the severity of the headaches. A crash that is low impact can also cause severe headaches due to the force that is placed on the spine with whiplash. The strength of your muscles will also determine how you withstand that force. Therefore, if there is any underlying weakness, which is very common, soft tissue injuries can easily occur.
At Functional Health Unlimited, we use a variety of soft tissue techniques in addition to chiropractic adjustments to resolve pain. These include:
• Graston technique
• Dry needling
• Cupping
• Active release
• Acupuncture
• Ultrasound
• Electric muscle stimulation
• Therapeutic exercise
Soft tissue treatment is so important as injury to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons are the most common causes of pain after an accident. Left untreated, this can lead to chronic headaches, decreased movement in the neck, degeneration of the spine, and long lasting pain. Call us today to schedule a consultation to hear how we can help you get out of pain.
Dr. Lori Jokinen, DC
Dr. Lori Jokinen, DC CACCP CFMP BA