If you’ve been in a traffic collision recently, it is likely that you’re experiencing even a minimal amount of pain. Whether you’ve been in a major collision or a minor fender bender, it isn’t uncommon to develop discomfort immediately after or several days following the accident. One of the most common injuries you may experience following a traffic collision is back pain. 

Whether this pain is immediate or takes several days to develop, back pain after a traffic collision can significantly disrupt your life. At Elite Chiropractic, we understand how much back pain can impact everyday activities. If you were in a traffic collision recently and have developed back pain, keep reading to learn why this pain occurs and how you can treat it. 

How Does a Traffic Collision Affect Your Body? 

When you are in a traffic collision, your body undergoes a significant amount of stress which may result in a variety of injuries. It isn’t uncommon for individuals who’ve been in a car accident to develop whiplash, bulging discs, nerve pain, and much more severe injuries. Often, the more severe the car accident, the more significant the injury may be. While some of these injuries may appear immediately following the accident, some may take several days to develop. 

Why Do You Have Back Pain After a Traffic Collision? 

While there are many injuries you may experience from an accident, back pain after a traffic collision is one of the most common injuries. No matter how your vehicle is hit, the sudden change in force can abruptly jolt your body backward or forward, leading to significant trauma. 

The sudden force and movement can place strain on the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your back, resulting in pain. This force may also cause the discs in your back to compress or bulge. If you had previously experienced minor back pain prior to your collision, these problems may be exacerbated by the accident. 

How Can You Treat Back Pain After a Traffic Collision?

Although you may not think your back pain after a traffic collision is significant enough to seek medical attention, it is important to reach out to a trusted medical professional as soon as possible following your accident. Failing to seek medical attention may lead to chronic pain and discomfort that makes regular activity more difficult. 

Seeking care from your primary care provider is your best first step following a traffic collision. However, seeing your primary care provider isn’t the only way to treat back pain after a traffic collision. You should also treat this pain with plenty of rest, appointments with a physical therapist, and check-ins with your trusted chiropractor to begin the healing process. 

How a Chiropractor Can Help You Recover? 

If you are experiencing back pain after a traffic collision, your chiropractor can help you recover from this discomfort, allowing you to return to regular activities. Some of the most common treatments your chiropractor may recommend if you have back pain after a traffic collision include: 

Spinal Decompression

One of the best ways to treat back pain after a traffic collision is by undergoing spinal decompression. This non-invasive treatment involves laying on a special table while your chiropractor uses devices to gently stretch and decompress your spine. This technique helps promote the healing of herniated or bulging discs, alleviating pressure surrounding your nerves and reducing overall back pain. It can also improve circulation and nutrient delivery to the affected areas, leading to faster healing. 

Spinal Corrections

Spinal corrections, also known as spinal manipulation or adjustment, is a hands-on technique that is designed to realign the vertebrae to relieve pain and improve function. Your chiropractor will apply controlled force to misaligned areas, restoring alignment and mobility. By alleviating pressure on your nerves and reducing inflammation, this correction enhances your body’s ability to heal. While these treatments are reliable, they may work best when coupled with prescribed exercises and lifestyle changes. 

Laser Therapy

Class IV laser therapy is a great way to treat back pain after a traffic collision. This method involves the use of high-powered, Class IV lasers that emit concentrated light energy into targeted areas of the back. The light penetrates deep into your tissue, stimulating cellular metabolism and increasing circulation. This treatment reduces inflammation, relieves pain, and accelerates tissue repair. This treatment is incredibly beneficial but may work best in conjunction with other chiropractic treatments, including adjustments and spinal decompression. 

Spinal Traction Therapy

Chiropractic spinal traction therapy is a non-invasive technique aimed at improving spinal mobility, which is significantly impacted by traffic collisions. During these chiropractic appointments, you lie on a traction table while your chiropractor applies controlled traction force to your spine. This traction decompresses the spinal discs, alleviating pressure on nerves and promoting proper alignment. It also improves blood flow to the area, helping your tissues recover more quickly from the injury. 

Recovering from a Traffic Collision with Elite Chiropractic

If you are planning to visit a chiropractor to treat back pain after a traffic collision, it is important that you work with a reliable practitioner, like our team at Elite Chiropractic. Our team has years of experience helping residents across the Wenatchee, WA, area recover from traffic collisions, and we’re confident that we can do the same for you. But our work doesn’t end there. Our team can help you recover from sports injuries, sciatica, concussions, and much more. If you would like to speak to a member of our team about scheduling an appointment to treat back pain after a traffic collision, don’t hesitate to call our office at 509-436-8530. 

As one of the most commonly experienced pains among American adults, it isn’t uncommon for you to deal with neck pain throughout the day. While some neck pain quickly dissipates with stretching, there are some forms of neck pain that linger. This chronic discomfort can make it difficult to do normal activities throughout your day. While this discomfort may feel endless, there are a variety of ways for a chiropractor to treat neck pain, helping alleviate everyday discomfort.

At Elite Chiropractic, we understand how frustrating it can be to deal with chronic pain. From missing family events to having to give up your favorite hobbies, this pain can make it difficult to care for yourself. If you want to know how our chiropractors treat neck pain and if these treatments might be a good option for you, keep reading.  

What Causes Neck Pain? 

The National Institute of Health states that 30 to 50% of Americans experience neck pain in any given year, with 50 to 85% of them stating that the pain is never resolved. But what is it that causes this chronic pain? While traffic accidents play a substantial role in the pain experienced by many adults, that isn’t the only factor in this situation.

In addition to accidents, many adults who experience persistent neck pain deal with this discomfort due to poor posture. From leaning over your computer at work to spending your weekends in front of a workbench, hunching puts undue strain on the muscles in your neck, leading to this pain. 

You may also experience this pain as a result of sleeping in abnormal or awkward positions. In some cases, you may also notice an increase in neck pain as you age. Whatever the cause of your discomfort, there are several ways that a chiropractor can treat neck pain and alleviate the discomfort, allowing you to return to regular activities. 

How Does a Chiropractor Treat Neck Pain? 

If you are dealing with this chronic discomfort, you may consider seeing a chiropractor to treat neck pain once and for all. Some of the most common ways that chiropractors treat neck pain include the following treatments: 

1. Spinal Corrections

One of the most common treatments performed by chiropractors to treat neck pain and other related ailments is spinal correction. These spinal corrections use quick, controlled thrusts or gentler mobilization techniques to realign the vertebrae in your spine. This adjustment can allow for a more seamless transition for your spinal cord to move down your back and should prevent you from dealing with this pain from persisting. 

2. Spinal Decompression Therapy

From the base of your skull through your back, your spine plays a major role in the discomfort you experience from day to day, which is why many chiropractors use spinal decompression therapy to treat neck pain. By slowly shifting and correcting the spine, you should notice the everyday neck pain you are experiencing slowly disappear. While there is no exact number for how many treatments you’ll need, your chiropractor should develop a treatment plan that helps you feel better as quickly as is safe. 

3. Prescribed Exercises

While the ways your chiropractors treat neck pain in the office can help alleviate some of the discomfort you’re experiencing, the work doesn’t end there. Your chiropractor may recommend a variety of exercises for you to perform at home. These prescribed exercises should help strengthen the muscles in your neck, protecting them from repeat injury. The exercises should also lead to improvements in your overall posture. 

4. Lifestyle Counseling

In addition to in-office treatments and prescribed exercises, your chiropractor may treat neck pain by giving your lifestyle advice. From recommending more appropriate sleeping positions to alleviate muscle stiffness to suggesting small changes to improve your posture over time, there are many tips your chiropractor may provide. These lifestyle changes can help alleviate a variety of pains and should prevent the pains from returning. 

The Importance of Open Communication During Treatment

While your chiropractor may treat neck pain in a variety of patients, no two treatment plans are exactly the same. It is important to remember to keep an open line of communication with your chiropractor throughout treatment to ensure it is getting to the root of the pain. If you notice the pain persisting or getting worse, it might be best to reevaluate your treatment plan with your chiropractor to determine if other treatment options are a better fit for your pain. Your chiropractor wants you to feel better, so don’t be afraid to speak up and advocate for yourself at your appointment. 

Addressing Neck Pain with Elite Chiropractic

No matter what the cause of the discomfort is, there are many ways that a reliable chiropractic team can help treat neck pain. But, to start this process, you need to work with a chiropractic team you know you can trust. At Elite Chiropractic, we have years of experience alleviating a variety of pains in patients across the Wenatchee, WA, area. With this experience, we are confident that our chiropractors can treat the neck pain you may be experiencing as well.

In addition to treating neck pain, our team provides treatment for sciatica, spinal disc injuries, migraines, and more. If you are dealing with chronic discomfort and you’d like our chiropractic team to help you alleviate the pain you’re experiencing, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today by calling our office at (509) 436-8530.

Living with a pinched nerve, whether in your neck, back, or anywhere along the spine, can be incredibly frustrating. The discomfort, tingling, and sharp pain associated with a pinched nerve can significantly affect your quality of life. Whether you have an incredibly active lifestyle or simply enjoy spending time with loved ones, pinched nerves can make it difficult to focus on the moment and enjoy your favorite activities.

Thankfully, with the help of a chiropractor, you can find relief from this pinched nerve. Whether this is the first time you’ve dealt with a pinched nerve or it has become a persistent problem, our team at Elite Chiropractic wants you to know that there is relief from this pain. If you have a pinched nerve and you’re considering seeing a chiropractor, keep reading to find out how they can help you recover. 

What is a Pinched Nerve?

A pinched nerve occurs when excessive pressure is applied to the nerve surrounding tissue. This tissue can include bones, cartilage, muscles, or tendons. This pressure disrupts the nerve’s normal function, leading to a variety of symptoms, including:

• Numbness or decreased sensation in the area
• Sharp, aching, or burning pain
• Tingling, pins and needles sensation
• Muscle weakness

Common locations for pinched nerves include the spine, where you may develop herniated discs or bone spurs, and areas prone to repetitive motions, like your wrists and elbows. While some pinched nerves may lead to mild discomfort, this can develop into a sharper, more debilitating pain.

Pinched nerves often respond well to non-invasive therapies like chiropractic care, making it a great solution to this discomfort. Early diagnosis and intervention are essential for managing your symptoms and preventing long-term irritation.

How Can a Chiropractor Help? 

If you have a pinched nerve, there are several steps that your chiropractor will take to help you recover. The treatment for your pinched nerve includes the following: 

1. Precise Diagnosis

While you may have a pinched nerve, you might not be sure what the cause of it is. When you see a chiropractor, they will conduct a thorough examination to determine what the source of your pinched nerve is. Through a combination of physical assessments and, if necessary, imaging studies, your chiropractor can pinpoint where the source of the discomfort began. From this point on, they can begin crafting a specialized treatment plan for you to help you recover from this pain. 

2. Spinal Adjustments

If you know anything about chiropractors, you’re probably familiar with spinal adjustments. This treatment is one of the most commonly performed treatments for patients. By applying controlled force to joints that are stiff and experiencing restricted movement, your chiropractor can help you regain mobility and alignment to the spine. By getting a spinal adjustment for a pinched nerve, you can experience a reduction in pressure and relief from the pinched nerve entirely.

3. Soft Tissue Therapy

Spinal adjustments aren’t the only treatment in your chiropractor’s toolbelt. If you have a pinched nerve, they may also recommend soft tissue therapies to address muscle tension and inflammation around the nerve. These soft tissue therapies may include massaging, stretching, and other manual therapies. They are designed to enhance flexibility and reduce pressure on the nerve, helping to alleviate a great deal of discomfort.  

4. Posture Correction and Ergonomics 

When going through your physical examination, your chiropractor may determine that the cause of your pinched nerve is your posture. While you may do the best you can to have good posture, your bad posture may lead to a pinched nerve and chronic discomfort. By working with a chiropractor, you can improve your posture. They will also provide you with guidance on your ergonomics at home and work. These minor lifestyle adjustments can make a substantial difference when dealing with your pinched nerve. 

5. Customized Exercise Plan

In addition to the treatments performed in the office, your chiropractor will often prescribe specific exercises to strengthen the muscles supporting your spine. Strengthening the muscles surrounding your spine can contribute to better spinal stability, reducing the chance of dealing with another pinched nerve. To see the best results from your treatment, it is best to perform these exercises at least once a day. The more consistent you are with these exercises, the more beneficial they will be in your recovery. 

How Long Will Treatment Take?

The length of treatment for your pinched nerve will vary greatly based on the severity of the discomfort. If your pinched nerve is more aggravated, you may need to see a chiropractor several times a week to address the pain properly. As your symptoms improve, the frequency of your visits may decrease.

On average, individuals undergoing treatment for a pinched nerve may continue the treatment for a few weeks to several months. The most important part of recovering from a pinched nerve is consistency. The more consistent you are with your treatments, the more likely you are to heal quickly. 

Relief Within Reach

Chiropractic care provides a patient-centered approach to managing pinched nerves. By addressing the underlying problem through a variety of chiropractic treatments, you can return to enjoying an active life. If you are dealing with a pinched nerve, know that pain relief is within reach. Our team of experts at Elite Chiropractic has years of experience helping people recover from a wide variety of conditions, and we’re confident that we can do the same for you.

Whether you’ve been in a car accident recently or you’re dealing with chronic discomfort, our team provides it all. If you have a pinched nerve and you’d like to schedule an appointment with our team at Elite Chiropractic, don’t hesitate to call our team today.