Auto Accident Injury Treatment with Acupuncture
Auto accident injury happens without warning. One minute you are driving along, and the next you are in a motor vehicle accident.
Whether it is a minor fender –bender or a more serious collision, you could be left with pain and discomfort. Seeking care right away can make a major difference in your recovery and reduce the chances of a long-term health problem. Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offer a safe, effective way to treat your health concerns and optimize your well-being after an automobile accident.
Common injuries after an accident:
There are a variety of injuries that can occur after a motor vehicle accident. Some injuries and symptoms may appear immediately, other may take hours or sometimes days to appear. Being in an auto accident is not something to take lightly.
Below are common injuries that can occur:
Low Velocity Injuries – Usually occur when you are driving under 10 mph, or if you are hit by another vehicle that is traveling 10 mph or less. These injuries usually cause muscle strain or seat belt bruises. Other symptoms may be delayed, but pain and stiffness may occur within 12- 36 hours after the impact.
High Velocity Injuries – These injuries are sustained when your vehicle or another vehicle is traveling over 10 mph. Often times injuries usually result from the body hitting objects in the care, such as the dashboard, window or the steering wheel. Common problems resulting from this kind of impact include head, shoulder or knee trauma; a variety of contusions, wrist fracture, neck sprains and concussions, also known as traumatic brain injuries.
Traumatic Cervical Syndrome (Whiplash) – This type of injury occurs when the neck is forced into rapid movements faster than what your bones, ligaments and muscles can accommodate. This injury is usually referred to as a whiplash, which is a non-medical term for the strain or a sprain of the neck caused by sudden movement. Even a seemingly minor accident can cause soft-tissue and musculo-skeletal injuries such as whiplash.
Whiplash Symptoms include:
Neck pain or stiffness
Headache
Dizziness
Back pain
Pain in your shoulders or arms.
Other symptoms can include memory loss, poor concentration, nervousness and irritability, sleeplessness or fatigue.
Auto Accident Treatment Options
It is important to seek care promptly for any injuries and symptoms immediately after an accident. It may be a difficult decision to choose the right from of care to address you pain and discomfort. But it is an important decision to make in order to keep current injuries from becoming chronic. Depending on the type of injury, chiropractic, massage, physical therapy and acupuncture are the most commonly used treatment modalities. It is also common for patients to combine different modalities for faster results and to be able to address different aspects of an injury.
How Acupuncture can Help
Acupuncture and TCM has the ability to successfully aid in the healing of soft-tissue injuries, relaxing the muscles, relieving painful symptoms, helping your body regain its natural balanced and vitality as well as alleviating any stress and anxiety.
Chinese Medical Theory – A fundamental statement from Chinese Medical theory states, “If there is free-flow, there is no pain; if there is no free-flow, there is pain” Based on this theory facilitating the circulation and flow of blood and Qi (pronounced “chee”) will eliminate pain and restore balance.
According to acupuncture and TCM, Qi is the life or vital energy that animates and strengthens the body. Qi flows through pathways called meridians and pushes blood to all of the body’s organs, tissues, muscles, and tendons to provide nourishment so that they can function optimally and respond to normal wear and tear.
In an accident, you may experience physical trauma that disrupts and restricts the flow of Qi and blood leading to pain, stiffness and a host of other problems. Acupuncture activates your body’s self-healing and self-regulating capacities, helping to bring great circulation to the area that is being treats and function like a magnet for improved blood flow. Through acupuncture, a consistent flow of blood is restored, returning the muscle to a normal state of realization, flexibility and reduced pain.
There are also the emotional effects of an accident, including shock and anxiety. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are excellent for calming the spirit, reducing anxiety, and relieving the symptoms of shock.
Acupuncture and TCM provide a natural and effective way to help you regain your health and wellbeing after a motor vehicle accident. It is a powerful and ancient health care modality that can restore your body’s balance and harmony, heal the injured area, reduce stress and anxiety which are common after an accident, and return you to pain-free living.
I will bill for most car insurance companies, so the patient can focus on treatment and getting back to wellness and a sense of well-being. Also, be sure to check your insurance to see if you have paid into what is known as Med pay. If you haven’t already done so, inquire with your insurance carrier about including it in your general coverage. It is quite affordable and can offer you great relief and support your health and recovery should you have the misfortune of an accident.