What Should I Do If My Child is Injured in an Auto Accident?
We all want the best for our kids, and our number one goal is to keep them healthy and safe. What happens though when our worst fear comes true, and they are injured in a car accident? Every year, nearly 116,000 children are injured in motor vehicle accidents.¹ Luckily, with the right care, they can be back to normal in no time. After being in a motor vehicle accident, many children will experience new pain in their back, neck, head or extremities. The pain, following the impact of the accident is due to trauma to the musculoskeletal and nervous system. Usually, the injured child has a sprain/strain that will cause stiffness, pain, and muscle spasm. In addition, when the vertebrae are misaligned or fixated due to a car accident, there can be nerve pressure causing a myriad of problems, including; tingling, numbness, pain down an extremity or headaches.
Oftentimes, an injured person is brought to the emergency department where they are evaluated and released the same day. Obviously, if there are any broken bones, these will be casted; if there are more serious injuries, they will be treated. But, more often than not, the patient is sent home with a prescription for pain medication, muscle relaxers and anti-inflammatories. You see, the emergency department is just that, it handles emergencies that need immediate care. Those suffering with acute sprains/strains etc, are managed with medication and possibly a referral to the patient’s primary care physician if symptoms don’t go away. As chiropractors, specializing in the treatment of spinal injuries due to automobile accidents, we believe it is in the best interest of your child for them to be evaluated by an experienced chiropractor to treat their acute injuries.
What Warning Signs do I Look for in My Child After an Accident?
The sooner your child begins treatment following the trauma, the quicker they will start feeling better, and healing. Although seeking chiropractic care should be the next step, it can be difficult to determine if your young child is in pain after the accident. In toddlers who cannot verbalize pain yet, look for a change in their mood or personality. If they are having difficulty sleeping or chronic nightmares, this can be a sign of their pain. Another sign to look for, is their inability to turn their neck partially or fully when you call their name. If you notice any of these changes, it would be extremely beneficial to see our team at the Chiropractic Health Center of Bristol. Our office is extremely knowledgeable in the care of young children, especially those who have been in a car accident with their parent.
Obviously, for older children, it is just a matter of asking them how they feel. Ask if they are having neck pain, back pain, headaches, or pain/tingling down their arms or legs. Ask if they are having difficulty concentrating, stiffness or any other symptoms that were not present prior to the accident.
If your teenager has been in a car accident, it is possible that they will not want to tell you that they are in pain. This is likely because they do not want to go to another doctor’s appointment and think the pain will go away on its own; they would rather spend time with their friends or socializing online. If this is the case, it is imperative that you inform your teen about the importance of seeking chiropractic care as soon as possible following a car accident. If they do not get the proper treatment, it is likely that their pain will get worse and their condition will become chronic in nature.
We see many families that treat together following a motor vehicle accident. The good news is that children tend to heal quicker and need far fewer appointments than their parents, allowing them to be back to normal in no time.
Why Our Chiropractic Office?
At the Chiropractic Health Center of Bristol, we pride ourselves in the care of patients of all ages. We treat infants to adults, and have had amazing results across the board in their treatment post-accident. Our doctors are well equipped with the right knowledge to care for patients of all ages and they make it a point to treat every child as though they would their own.
We are happy to help with all of your chiropractic needs and look forward to meeting you. If you would like to set up an appointment for you or your child, call 860-583-4346 or CLICK HERE to request an appointment.!
Sources:
¹ CDC – Child Passenger Safety: Get the Facts
² healthsourcechiro – Chiropractic care can be crucial after an auto accident
Dr David M. Spitz is the founder and clinic director of the Chiropractic Health Center of Bristol, located in Bristol, CT. Since 1982, he has treated thousands of patients for various conditions ranging from neck and back pain, to migraine headaches. He specializes in treating patients who have suffered whiplash injuries and/or back injuries in a motor vehicle accident.
Dr Spitz was a volunteer EMT-I and a lieutenant for several years at the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department. He has lectured throughout CT on various topics including, chiropractic, stress management, headaches and preventing back injury in the workplace.
