An average of 6 million car accidents occur in the US every year.

And at least 3 million people are injured every year in car crashes.

Of this number, 27% sustain non-fatal injuries.

But, sustaining non-fatal injuries does not translate to non-serious. It’s true that permanent injuries cause more harm and lead to life-altering conditions that can remain lifelong.

Though, non-fatal injuries do not kill it does not at all mean that they cannot become chronic. If left untreated for a long time, non-fatal injuries can quickly turn severe and become problematic in the long run.

Also, there are many injuries that may not be visible after a car accident. These ‘hidden’ injuries are called so because they are not visible after a crash. They remain beneath the surface and can take days to even weeks to reveal themselves.

Why Are Hidden Injuries Dangerous?

Because, such injuries are not outwardly visible and many car victims assume that they escaped unhurt from the car accident. This is a very misleading fact because due to this people postpone visiting a chiropractor to get their injuries checked.

They mostly tend to self-diagnose and assume that the nagging pains and stiffness they are experiencing after the crash, will go away on their own. But, this is hardly the truth.

Hidden injuries continue to remain masked beneath the surface, and as time passes they worsen because of not being treated. At first they are acute but with delay in treatment they can quickly turn chronic and can also become a life-long medical issue.

What Kinds Are These Hidden Injuries?

1. Whiplash

This injury occurs when the head is violently thrown forward, backward, or sideways during a car collision. At the time of the crash, the body is moving as fast as the car. But the moment there is a collision the head gets suddenly jerked while the rest of the body remains still. This unnatural motion of the neck causes the muscles and tendons to stretch and break.

A whiplash can also cause injury to the cervical vertebrae. The symptoms of whiplash are not obvious right away, but if you have neck pain, stiffness, headache, loss of mobility of neck and shoulders, immediately get yourself to a chiropractor. Delaying can cause your whiplash to worsen and the pain to become chronic.

2. Herniated Discs

The force of a crash can sometimes cause the intervertebral discs to move out of their original position or even rupture from impact. This condition is called a herniated disc.

When the disc bulges out or ruptures, it puts extra pressure on the nerves surrounding it, which can also inflame the spinal nerves. Severe pain, numbness, tingling in the extremities are some common symptoms of a herniated disc injury.

Not seeking immediate medical attention for this injury can cause long-term disability and even lead to surgery if condition worsens. Do not wait for the injury to completely manifest itself. Symptoms could take weeks or months to develop. Let your chiropractor be the judge of the extent of your injury.

3. Traumatic Brain Injury

Another insidious injury, traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to long-term damage to brain function. At the time of impact during a crash, your head whips back and forth and can at times also strike against something inside the vehicle, like the window or windscreen.

The force of the impact can cause your brain to hit against your skull and become bruised. Though not visible from the outside, TBI can lead to several complications even months after the accident.

Some initial symptoms include headache, nausea, speech problems, and dizziness. But there are some symptoms such as forgetfulness, personality change, loss of patience, restlessness, and even sensory changes that take time to develop. To prevent such conditions, it is prudent to schedule a visit with your chiropractor and have a thorough evaluation done.

We Can Help You Heal

Let our Miami auto accident doctor help you get chiropractic care to treat your hidden injuries sustained during a car accident. Chiropractors specialize in managing and treating pain and other symptoms that result from car accident trauma, especially hidden injuries.

Before you decide that your nagging headache or the stiffness in your neck will go away in some time, schedule an appointment with a chiropractor near you and let chiropractic care heal you naturally and holistically. To book a consultation with our chiropractic experts call 305-928-2828 or visit: https://accidentclinicmiami.com/ to learn more.