News & Updates

Car Accidents: How To Prevent Injuries And What To Do After the Accident

BySandy Wilson, BScPT
The emergency doors at a hospital.

If you have been in a car crash you may have experienced the most common injury to the upper spine and neck. Common symptoms include joint pain, muscle pain, headaches, arm pain and leg pain. These symptoms occur when the vertebral joints and associated muscles and nerves are subjected to uncommon forces and associated with a car crash. It is important that you have an examination by our chiropractor, Dr. Veronica Hewstan, as soon as possible to support the recovery process.

After the Crash

  • Some people develop pain, stiffness and other symptoms 7-10 after an accident. This is not unusual, however, do not delay in seeking treatment from Dr. Veronica Hewstan.
  • Severe symptoms such as headache or arm/leg pain are also common. Advise Dr. Veronica Hewstan as soon as possible.
  • It is important to be aware that the effects of substantive crashes may recur over 6-18 months. Symptoms and effects will lessen gradually.
  • For most people, the pain and other symptoms associated with spinal injury usually decreases with gradual return to normal activity.
  • Most injuries are not serious and people often recover to their pre-accident condition. The amount of disruption to normal activities varies with the circumstances of the crash.

Your Recovery

Diagnosis and treatment: consult Dr. Veronica Hewstan for examination, diagnosis and to discuss your recovery options. Dr. Hewstan may recommend steps to treat any pain you experience including:

  • Necessary spine and related care
  • Modification to current activities
  • Home stretching and strengthening exercises
  • Ergonomic advice

Once you and Dr. Hewstan have agreed on a treatment plan, it is important that you follow Dr. Hewstan’s advice to support the recovery process.

Prevention

  • Closer head restraints can be twice as effective in preventing injuries as those that are set too far back. To ensure the head restraint is adjusted correctly:
  • Raise your headrest so the top of it is at least level with the top of your ears.
  • Your headrest should be as close as possible to the back of your head.
  • Make these adjustments each time you ride in a vehicle with an adjustable headrest.
  • Always wear your seatbelt when you are in a moving vehicle. The belt should be securely fastened and rest snuggly across your waist and shoulder.
  • Drive safely. Following the rules of the road will significantly lower your risk of an accident.

Resources

This brochure provides general information about the spine and related injuries. Always consult your family chiropractor for diagnosis and treatment.

  • www.bcchiro.com/bcca/documents/BCCAWADGuidelines.pdf
  • The Anatomy and Biomechanics of Acute and Chronic Whiplash InjuryTraffic Injury Prevention, Volume 10, Number 2, April 2009Gunter P. Siegmund, PhD, PEng,Beth A. Winkelstein, PhD, BSE, Paul C. Ivancic, PhD, Mats Y. Svensson, PhD and Anita Vasavada, PhD
  • A Systematic Approach to Clinical Determinations of Causation in Symptomatic Spinal Disk Injury Following Motor Vehicle Crash TraumaPM&R, Volume 1, Issue 10 Michael D. Freeman, PhD, MPH, DC, Christopher J. Centeno, MD, Sean S. Kohles, PhD
    Chronic neck pain and whiplash: A case control study relationship between acute whiplash injuries and choronic neck pain
    Pain Res Manag. 2006 Summer Michael D. Freeman, PhD, MPH, DC, Arthur C Croft DC MPH MS, Annette M. Rossignol ScD, Christopher J. Centeno MD, Whitney L. ELkins MPH
  • www.icbc.com/road-safety/safety-research
  • www.bcchiro.com/code/find_bcca.php

Arbutus Physiotherapy & Health Centre is owned and operated by Sandy Wilson. Sandy is a registered member of the Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia. Outside of Sandy’s practice she spends time with family and training for her next race.