Why You Should Opt For A Chiropractor Rather Than Prescription Opiates
Guest post by Travis Patterson, Managing Partner for Patterson Law Group
Many Texas drivers are involved in car accidents each year, which often leaves accident victims with painful injuries. In fact, there were 620,534 accidents reported in Texas in 2017, which resulted in over 254,853 injuries. The soreness or aches from these injuries may linger for weeks or months after the accident.
Injuries sustained in car accidents can cause discomfort such as headaches, back pain or neck pain. Your doctor may offer you prescription opiates for your pain, but that may not be the best way for you to obtain pain relief.
Why Opioids May Not be the Best Choice to Relieve Pain
If you’re concerned that opiates can lead to dependency or overdose, your concerns are valid. These substances are powerful chemicals that muffle your perception of pain. Besides the potential for misuse, these substances may also trigger unpleasant side effects such as drowsiness or abdominal distress.
When opiates are used as directed, you are probably not in danger of overdose, but there’s something else to consider. Pain is the body’s method of letting you know something is wrong. If your pain is subdued by using powerful chemicals, the actual cause of your pain may not be identified or treated.
Seeking Chiropractic Treatment After an Accident
Auto accidents often lead to whiplash, herniated discs, or other injuries to the back and neck. When you see a chiropractor after this type of injury, your injuries will be promptly diagnosed. A chiropractor will start a treatment plan right away, which may reduce inflammation and may help prevent future complications.
Tears in ligaments and muscles may not show on an x-ray. When spinal manipulation is used to realign the spinal column, it helps your body to start to fight inflammation and begin the healing process. After a spinal adjustment, pain may be minimized and swelling may be reduced.
What to Expect from a Visit to a Chiropractor
The chiropractor will conduct a thorough examination. He or she may test your reflexes and your range of motion, and will do imaging tests if needed. The chiropractor will review the information obtained and let you know the results.
He or she may perform a spinal adjustment or manipulation right away. The chiropractor may also recommend a series of visits. He/she may be able to relieve some of the pressure or pain in joints or nerves by bringing your spine into alignment.
Give Your Body Its Best Chance to Heal
The sooner your injuries are diagnosed and treated, the sooner your body can begin to heal. When injuries are overlooked or concealed with pain medication, they may worsen and ultimately cause long-term pain.
When you see a chiropractor soon after a car accident, you give your body its best chance to heal. It’s a non-invasive way to promote the body’s own healing processes and may help you to recover without ever having to deal with long-term pain. If you have already tried other treatment methods and are still experiencing pain, talk to your doctor. Chiropractic care may be done in conjunction with other forms of treatment already being used, and it may help relieve your pain so that you don’t have to rely on prescription opiates.
The experienced chiropractors at Core Physical Medicine are always available to help. In today’s ever-more-crowded health provider arena, Core Physical Medicine continues to stand out through our comprehensive, multi-disciplined approach to neuromuscular skeletal issues. Contact us today by filling out a contact form or calling (972) 393-8067.