Following a car crash, it's common for people to hold off on getting treatment. Most people think, "I'll just wait to see how I feel next week." This approach can be a mistake.
A variety of clinical studies show that when a person gets early treatment after a crash, they have a better outcome than those people who wait to get help.
During a crash, the structures of your neck can be stretched or damaged. You may not feel discomfort right away. But as the tissues become irritated and inflamed, people often get up the next day sore and with a stiff neck.
Pain and stiffness are signs of trauma to the ligaments and muscles of your neck. The body's response to injury is to prohibit movement and to heal the injury by sending white blood cells to the area. Your body will then start mending the damaged area by laying down scar tissue.
The problem with scar tissue is that each segment in your spine has a fairly restricted range of motion. Scar tissue decreases that mobility even more, and if you don't receive proper care, that can result in permanently limited flexibility, persistent pain, and even spinal degeneration of the joints.
Receiving prompt treatment will break up this pattern by enhancing motion in the injured area and by preventing the development of scar tissue. If you've been in a wreck, it's critical that you contact a health care provider without delay to be checked out and to begin the process of recovery.
If you have been in a motor vehicle accident, Dr. Tortoriello is here in Gadsden, AL to help. We can work to identify the underlying cause of your pain and develop a treatment plan to help you restore your health.
We've helped many patients in Gadsden, AL heal from these types of injuries since 2003 and we might be able to help you, as well! Call our office today at (256) 543-3033 for an appointment or for more advice.