Top 3 Things to Look Out for After an Accident to Prevent Long Term Damage
Car accidents can change people’s lives in a split second. Not only can their car be totaled, but their bodies can be severely affected as well. In 2018, over 400,000 accidents occurred in Florida. There were more than 254,000 injuries reported, meaning over 63% of accidents resulted in injuries. Car accidents in Hillsborough County outdid that statistic with 69% of accidents causing injuries.
If you or a loved one has been in a car accident and need to see an auto injury doctor, Plant City has the doctors you need at Complete Care. After experiencing an auto accident, here are three things to look out for:
Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash is an injury to the neck when the head is forcefully whipped back and forth. This is commonly seen after a rear-end car accident. The fast movement of the head can overstretch and damage the ligaments in the neck. When the ligaments are loose or torn, it can cause neck pain, headaches, decreased range of motion and several other negative symptoms. It was found that about 50% of people injured in a car accident will continue to experience neck pain for one year after the collision. It is important to be evaluated immediately. Sometimes these symptoms do not show up for weeks or even months.
Brain Fog or Tiredness
Car accidents can be very overwhelming and stressful. Being “run down” and exhausted after dealing with auto insurance, towing companies, doctor appointments and seeking order is understandable. However, how do you know when this feeling is no longer normal and putting you at risk for serious long-term effects? Emotional distress, confusion, brain fog, and chronic fatigue all the time could be signs of a concussion, brain injury, whiplash, or other injuries caused by the accident. Diagnostic testing and proper evaluations are critical to understand the seriousness of the symptoms and prevent further damage.
Numbness and Tingling
Our bodies have an amazing way of letting us know that something is wrong. When there is numbness or tingling in the hands, fingers, legs or feet, it is a warning sign from the nerves that something is wrong! After an accident, the discs that are between each spinal bone, and the ligaments surrounding them, can become damaged. Imagine a hard bone pressing down on a soft nerve. When this happens, pressure can be put on the nerves that control every cell, tissue, and organ in the body. Numbness and tingling are common signs that there is too much pressure being put on those nerves in the neck or low back. It is so important for the proper testing and examination to be done to determine how much pressure is being put on the nerve and to form a plan to correct it.
These symptoms may be common after an accident, but they are not normal for the human body to experience. Unfortunately, many people injured in auto accidents do not seek medical treatment and suffer from chronic pain that could have been prevented. That is why it is so important to have a chiropractor evaluate your injuries to rule out whiplash, broken bones, and soft tissue damage. If you’re seeking an auto injury doctor, Plant City, FL has the experts you need. At Complete Care, our doctors can perform a proper exam, diagnose injuries and provide treatment. Hundreds of auto injury patients in Plant City have found relief from these types of symptoms and many more with the help of our highly skilled physicians. Call today to schedule a consultation at a convenient location near you.