Car crashes can be traumatic for older adults, resulting in painful injuries such as spinal misalignments, whiplash, and soft tissue damage. Reduced flexibility and decreased bone density are two age-related factors that seniors experience.
This results in extreme pain and prolonged recovery times following an accident. Timely treatment is crucial for healing. Therefore, older adults should visit an accident care and treatment center and consider chiropractic care.
As a non-invasive pain relief treatment, chiropractic care has gained prominence in recent times. It is a holistic healing modality that focuses on personalized therapies and spinal adjustments to restore mobility, reduce pain, and enhance overall function.
According to Garden View Research, the chiropractic market size in the United States was valued at $450.7 million in 2022. It is anticipated to expand by 26.3% between 2023 and 2030, highlighting people’s dependence on this therapy.
But the question remains: can chiropractic care help older adults recover from their physical trauma after an accident? That is what this article is all about.
Injuries in the Elderly After Car Accidents
As people age, their capacity to navigate the complexities of driving decreases. This often makes older adults who drive vulnerable to fatal injuries in car crashes. The Legal Examiner in April 2024 shared crucial data from IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) on this issue.
The IIHS findings reveal that elderly drivers experience an increased risk of dangerous motor vehicle crashes than other age groups.
Additionally, the U.S. Census Bureau said that the number of people who are 70 years and older is likely to increase to 53 million by 2030. The Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in October 2023 stated that seniors often suffer from ADHD, which is a leading cause of vehicle accidents.
These factors raise significant concerns about traffic safety. It’s because most older adults suffer from back problems and arthritis to some extent. The effect of a crash can aggravate prior health conditions and result in acute pain and weak mobility.
The common car crashes for seniors are:
- Whiplash
- Fractured bones
- Bruising
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Scarring and facial injuries
The pain and suffering caused by these injuries underscore the need for holistic and age-appropriate treatments such as chiropractic care. It promotes recovery through targeted and gentle interventions.
Understanding Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is a drug-free approach that helps diagnose and treat musculoskeletal disorders associated mainly with the spine. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this therapy can help treat joint issues, headaches, and neck and back pain. It is apt for older adults who are too frail to undergo surgery and are looking for long-term, natural pain relief.
By targeting the musculoskeletal structure and nervous system, chiropractic care aids the body’s natural healing process.
Denver Integrated Spine Center states that today leading treatment centers incorporate a multidisciplinary approach to treat patients. This means that there are dedicated specialists who use their skills to ensure that the elderly receive the required therapy for long-lasting recovery.
Furthermore, most treatment centers work with the senior’s lawyer or an adjuster to process the claims, allowing them to focus on their healing.
Why is Chiropractic Care Suitable for the Elderly?
Car accidents are never pleasant for anyone. For seniors, it can pose an added challenge to their health because they may already be dealing with body pains and joint aches. Therefore, they are likely to seek treatment modality that is pain-free, natural, and effective. Chiropractic care fits the bill perfectly, showing visible results gradually.
Here are a few reasons as to why older adults should visit a chiropractor after a car accident:
It Helps Treat Whiplash
Whiplash, a neck injury caused by sudden hyperextension during a car crash, can cause pain that may not surface immediately after a car crash. It occurs when the soft tissues and neck muscles are overstretched. If left untreated, whiplash can lead to long-term pain, spinal degeneration, and limited mobility. Visiting a chiropractor can help diagnose and treat it early, reducing the chances of further complications.
It Helps Reduce Acute Pain
Chiropractors specialize in addressing chronic pain using safe, effective techniques that target its root cause. After a car accident, seniors may experience neck, lower back, and shoulder pain. Seeking chiropractic care can help diagnose and treat these areas, easing discomfort and preventing further complications. Early treatment ensures a smoother recovery and long-term pain relief.
It Can Improve Posture
Poor posture can be a result of car accident trauma affecting the muscles and ligaments that support the spine. Chiropractors use therapies to strengthen weak areas and enhance posture. They also recommend corrective exercises and stretches. When combined, these interventions can help patients regain their normal posture, improve overall health, and shorten recovery time.
It Can Reduce Scar Tissue
Car accident victims may develop scar tissue as the body heals, which can cause pain and limit mobility. If left untreated, this can lead to chronic issues. Chiropractors can assess scar tissue after an accident and offer gentle treatments to reduce it, promoting faster recovery with less pain and improved mobility.
How soon should seniors start the treatment after a car crash? The answer is within a few days or weeks after the accident so that they can receive care as early as possible. Any delay can complicate recovery. Furthermore, early chiropractic assessments provide essential health documentation that can be useful for legal claims.
FAQs
How long does it take for nerves to heal after a car crash?
Neurapraxia is a condition where nerves experience a temporary loss of blood supply. It is usually caused by compression or similar disruptions. A common form of neurapraxia is pinched nerves, which can recover within 6 to 8 weeks with appropriate care.
How does chiropractic care help with car crash injuries?
Chiropractic therapy includes spinal or joint manipulation to alleviate pain and improve body alignment and function. By incorporating chiropractic adjustments with conventional medical care, you can enhance overall treatment effectiveness and support better physical health.
How long will it take for chiropractic adjustments to settle?
Depending on the severity of the spinal injury, seniors may experience a pain reduction of 40% to 80% after their first chiropractic visit. Complete improvement may occur within 1 to 4 weeks of continuous chiropractic treatment.
Chiropractic care can be effective for older adults seeking relief from pain after a car crash. Through spinal adjustments, the therapy addresses whiplash, back pain, and other injuries. Since it’s a holistic treatment that doesn’t use medication or surgery, it is well-suited for seniors who may be unable to tolerate much pain. Attending therapy sessions regularly will help elders regain their posture, mobility, and function better.
