Why It’s Important for Kids and Pregnant People to See a Chiropractor After a Car Accident
Car accidents are traumatic events, and even minor collisions can have significant effects on the body, especially for vulnerable individuals like children and pregnant persons. While it’s easy to assume that the absence of visible injuries means there’s no harm done, many car accident injuries, particularly those related to the spine and musculoskeletal system, can manifest days or even weeks after the incident. For children and pregnant people, the risks are heightened due to the unique physical conditions they’re in. Chiropractic care offers a safe, non-invasive way to address injuries, prevent long-term issues, and support the overall healing process.
Why Car Accidents Impact Children Differently
Children are still growing, and their musculoskeletal systems are not fully developed, making them more susceptible to injuries in car accidents. Their bones, joints, and ligaments are more flexible, which might seem like a protective factor, but it can actually make them prone to subtle misalignments that can cause problems down the line. Their smaller frames also mean that car seat belts, airbags, and other safety devices may not always fit properly or provide the intended protection, potentially leading to injuries that are harder to detect.
Even in low-speed accidents, children can experience whiplash, a condition caused by the sudden jerking motion of the head and neck. Whiplash can lead to spinal misalignments, soft tissue injuries, and long-term neck pain. Because children may not always be able to express what they’re feeling, their symptoms might go unnoticed. Parents might observe irritability, headaches, or sleep disturbances, but may not connect these symptoms to the accident.
Chiropractors trained to work with pediatric patients understand the unique considerations of treating children and can assess for any misalignments or soft tissue injuries that might not be immediately apparent. Gentle chiropractic adjustments can correct these issues before they evolve into chronic conditions, helping children recover more fully and faster after an accident.
Why Chiropractic Care Is Essential for Pregnant People After a Car Accident
Individuals who are pregnant face a different set of challenges when involved in a car accident. As the body changes to support the growing baby, the spine, pelvis, and surrounding muscles are already under significant stress. An accident can exacerbate these stresses, leading to pain and misalignments that affect not only the mother’s health but also the baby’s development.
Even a minor accident can cause pelvic misalignment, which may create discomfort or, in more serious cases, impact the space available for the baby to move into the optimal position for birth. Additionally, the force from an accident can strain the round ligaments, which support the uterus, causing discomfort and potentially complicating pregnancy. Pregnant people are also at a higher risk for whiplash due to their shifted center of gravity and loosened ligaments caused by hormonal changes.
Chiropractic care offers a gentle, drug-free way to address these issues. Chiropractors who specialize in pregnancy use techniques specifically designed for expectant mothers, ensuring that both the mother and baby are safe. These adjustments help realign the spine and pelvis, reduce pain, and promote proper nervous system function, all of which are crucial for a healthy pregnancy. In many cases, chiropractic care after a car accident can prevent long-term complications that might affect labor and delivery, ensuring the best possible outcome for both mother and baby.
The Importance of Immediate Care
One of the most important things to understand about car accident injuries is that they aren’t always immediately apparent. The body’s initial response to trauma often involves a surge of adrenaline, which can mask pain and other symptoms. It’s only after this surge subsides that people start to feel the effects of the accident, whether it’s pain, stiffness, or reduced mobility. This delayed response is especially common with soft tissue injuries like whiplash or spinal misalignments, which can take hours or even days to fully manifest.
For both children and pregnant persons, early intervention is crucial. In children, untreated injuries can interfere with their natural growth and development, leading to chronic issues later in life. In pregnant people, undetected spinal or pelvic misalignments can worsen over time, potentially leading to more pain, complications during pregnancy, and a more difficult labor.
Chiropractors are trained to detect and address these issues early on, even before symptoms fully manifest. By performing a thorough assessment and making gentle, targeted adjustments, they can help prevent the injuries from worsening and support the body’s natural healing processes.
Preventing Long-Term Issues
Without proper treatment, even minor injuries from a car accident can turn into long-term problems. For children, misalignments in the spine can lead to issues like poor posture, chronic headaches, or difficulty with sports and other physical activities. Over time, these problems can interfere with their overall quality of life and may require more extensive treatment to correct.
For individuals who are pregnant, untreated injuries can affect their ability to carry the pregnancy comfortably and may lead to complications during delivery. Spinal or pelvic misalignments can contribute to prolonged labor, increased pain during delivery, and even the need for interventions like a cesarean section.
By addressing these issues early on with chiropractic care, both children and pregnant people can reduce the risk of long-term complications and support a faster, more complete recovery.
Chiropractic Care as a Safe, Non-Invasive Option
One of the greatest benefits of chiropractic care for both children and pregnant people is that it is a safe, non-invasive, and drug-free treatment option. In the case of children, avoiding medications and surgeries is always preferable when possible, and chiropractic care offers a gentle way to correct injuries and promote healing without the need for more aggressive interventions.
For individuals who are pregnant, the need to avoid medications and invasive procedures is even more critical. Chiropractic adjustments provide a natural way to relieve pain, improve mobility, and address injuries without the risks that come with pharmaceuticals or surgery. Chiropractors who specialize in pediatric and prenatal care are well-versed in the specific techniques and precautions required to ensure safety and effectiveness for these populations.
Conclusion
After a car accident, it’s crucial for both children and pregnant people to seek chiropractic care, even if there are no immediate signs of injury. Their unique physical conditions make them more susceptible to hidden injuries, which, if left untreated, can lead to long-term complications. Chiropractic care provides a gentle, non-invasive way to address these injuries, promote healing, and prevent future problems. Whether it’s ensuring proper spinal alignment in a growing child or supporting the comfort and health of an individual who is pregnant, chiropractic care plays a vital role in the post-accident recovery process.
Dr. David Higginson, DC, brings nearly two decades of chiropractic experience, specializing in diversified spinal and extremity manipulation. His expertise includes sports chiropractic, pediatric and pregnancy care, and advanced soft tissue techniques, allowing him to tailor evidence-based treatments to meet the unique needs of each patient. Having served as an Attending Physician at the University of Western States and now practicing with NPWC, Dr. David is committed to promoting wellness through personalized care and collaborative strategies. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, watching and playing sports, and taking his pug on walks.
References:
- Hawk, C., Schneider, M., Vallone, S., Hewitt, E., & Shearer, K. (2016). Best practices recommendations for chiropractic care for infants, children, and adolescents: results of a consensus process. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 39(2), 158-171.
- Weis, C. A., Barrett, J., & Suter, W. (2020). Chiropractic care for adults with pregnancyrelated low back, pelvic girdle pain, or combination pain: A systematic review. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 19(1), 15-26.
- Cox & Mior, Pediatric chiropractic care for spinal misalignments
- Browning, S. V., Miller, J., & Lombardo, L. (2020). Conservative treatment of pediatric musculoskeletal injuries: A review of chiropractic treatment of traumatic spinal injuries. Journal of Pediatric Chiropractic Medicine.
Dr. David Higginson, DC
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