Auto Injury FAQ

A heavy vehicle can convey a lot of force to the body, even if it's barely moving at the time of a sudden stop. As a result, parts of your body may go flying forward, only to snap back again due to the seat restraint. This is most commonly seen in whiplash, which is notable for the "whip-like" motion of the neck and head in a car accident.

Whiplash causes a wide range of symptoms beyond neck pain and stiffness. You may also suffer from headaches, dizzy spells, vision problems, ringing in the ears, jaw or shoulder pain, mental confusion or depression. If the cervical nerve roots are pinched, you may also have tingling or pain in the arms and hands (cervical radiculopathy).

Your seat belt harness most likely restrained one half of your torso but not the other. In an impact, this can permit the torso to twist excessively, straining the joints of the thoracic spine while also straining muscle groups that support the back.

You may have sustained a herniated disc or lower lumbar subluxation that is putting pressure on the sciatic nerve. Impingement of this nerve causes sciatica, the symptoms of which include low back pain, leg pain, and tingling or numbness of the leg and foot.

Don't assume anything! Adrenalin, endorphins and overall shock can delay many of the obvious signs of a car accident injury. That's why you should always schedule a spinal evaluation immediately, if only to be sure you're okay.

Dr. Malavolti can examine your spine for signs of misalignment and nerve impingement, administering careful, precise chiropractic adjustments to relieve joint strain, un-pinch nerves and restore vertebral mobility. We can also prescribe corrective exercises and nutritional counseling to help soft tissues heal quickly and regain their full function.