“I Wasn’t Hurt (that bad) In A Car Accident…
            …Why Should I Seek Care?”

Car Crashes.  In Southern California, it seems inevitable you or someone close to you will be in a car accident.  The other certainty is that car accidents (or MVA’s-motor vehicle accidents) obey the laws of physics.  Without making this article into a physics class, let me pose this question:  Is it possible that a 4,000 pound car runs into your car at 20 mph and doesn’t “change” something about you or cause injury?  Is it possible for all the force from the other car to affect only to your car and not you?  Answer:  In terms of probabilities, probably not.

Given the above, at the very least you should be evaluated.  Wouldn’t it make sense to give your body at least a fraction of consideration that you give your CAR- a hunk of metal that will be scrap in ten to fifteen years?

Some facts to consider:

1. “The amount of damage sustained by the car bears little relationship to the force applied” (how hard one is hit).  Macnab, Spine.

2. “The amount of damage to the automobile may bear little relationship to the

forces applied to the cervical spine and to the injury sustained by the cervical
spine.” Hirsh, “Whiplash Syndrome,” Orthopedic Clinics of America

3. “Neck extension becomes almost 60 degrees, which is a potential danger limit

of whiplash, at a collision speed as low as 2.5 km/h.”(Note: This means that the
neck reaches/can reach its elastic limit (think of how far a rubber band can stretch before tearing) at about 1.6 miles per hour). “Whiplash in Low Speed Collisions,” SAE.

4. “86% of those injured in automobile accidents still have significant symptoms

 due to the accident more than 10 years after being injured.” Watkinson, British Journal of Accident Surgery.

5. “..those acute whiplash injuries receiving early persistent motion healthcare

respond better and quicker than those not receiving care.” K. Mealy, British Medical Journal

In conclusion, allow a professional to assess the many parameters of injury in addition to “pain.”  Understand that there are many factors of injury, not just car damage.  Others include previous injury, osteoporosis, age, scoliosis, arthritis, just to name a few.  Realize that if you don’t get proper care, you could be living with that fender bender pain for a long time.

Many Chiropractors specialize in helping patients mobilize the spine and soft tissues that research calls for.  Additionally, there are clinics that specialize in the multidisciplinary approach (Chiropractic, Massage, Physical Therapy, and Nutrition) that helps patients achieve maximum medical improvement.

_____________________________________________
Bio:  Dr. Mark S. Banasiak, D.C., is the owner of Back To Health Chiropractic, Inc.
         He is certified in Active Release Techniques (ART), Spinal Decompression 
         Protocols, and Nutritional Approaches to healing.  Back To Health employs a
         highly trained staff of Chiropractors, Massage Therapists, and a Physical Therapist
         to provide patients with a multi-disciplinary approach to care.  For any additional
         information, please visit www.backtohealth.tv or call (951) 587-2225.