What causes chronic pain after a motor vehicle accident?

Of the roughly 2 million rear-end accidents in the United States every year, a significant number of people end up experiencing long-term pain and impairment. Some studies have shown that about 20% of people are still in pain a year after a collision.

Baker Chiropractic Wellness Center sees many accident patients in our Parma, Middleburg Heights location, and we often see people who have been hurting for many years and have not been able to find help. Baker Chiropractic Wellness Center has great success in treating these patients.

The Roots of Chronic Pain

During a crash, the ligaments of your spine can be stretched or torn. The damaged area becomes swollen and irritated and sends pain signals to the spine and central nervous system.

Pain tells your body that something is wrong, which tells the muscle tissues in the damaged area to contract to shield the area from further harm.

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

Baker Chiropractic Wellness Center is able to help this kind of condition, as chiropractic care is a proven way to restore the nervous system's healthy functioning. Research shows that adjustments are effective at reducing pain from auto injuries and shows that chiropractic in fact has positive effects on the pain centers of the brain.

If you live in Parma, Middleburg Heights and have been in a collision, you don't have to suffer with chronic pain. Give Baker Chiropractic Wellness Center a call today at (440) 888-6979 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.