Causes of Chronic Pain after a Car Crash

Of the over 2 million rear-end crashes in the US every year, a substantial number of folks end up suffering from long-term pain and disability. Some research shows that about 20% of people are still in pain one year after a crash.

Kauffman Chiropractic sees many auto accident cases in our Loveland location, and we often see individuals who have been suffering for many years and have not been able to find help. Kauffman Chiropractic has great success in treating these patients.

The Roots of Chronic Pain

During a crash, the tissues of your spinal column can be stretched or torn. The injured area becomes swollen and irritated and transmits pain signals to the spinal cord and brain.

Pain tells your body that something is wrong, which tells the muscles in the injured area to contract to protect the area from further damage.

If the damage isn't treated right away, a negative cycle develops. The hurt tissues keep sending pain signals and each time, your central nervous system reacts. This creates a feedback loop in your nervous system that researchers refer to as "central sensitization." Your nervous system actually becomes hypersensitive to any kind of stimulus, producing chronic pain.

Kauffman Chiropractic is able to help this kind of issue, as chiropractic care is a proven way to restore your nervous system's healthy functioning. Studies show that adjustments are successful at relieving pain from car accidents and shows that chiropractic in fact has positive effects on the pain centers of the brain.

If you live in Loveland and have been in a collision, you don't have to suffer with chronic pain. Give Kauffman Chiropractic a call today at (513) 444-4529 for a consultation or appointment.

• Ferrari R. A prospective study of the 1-year incidence of fibromyalgia after acute whiplash injury. Rheumatic & Musculoskeletal Disease 2015; doi:10.1136/rmdopen-2014-000007.
• Stone AM, Vicenzino B, Lim EC, Sterling M. Measures of central hyperexcitability in chronic whiplash associated disorder - A systematic review and meta-analysis. Manual Therapy 2012;18(2):111-7.