Experiencing a car accident is one of the most stressful things that can happen in life. If you or a loved one suffer from pain after an auto accident, Dr. Mark Gutierrez of Gutierrez Chiropractic Inc. in Tustin, California, is here to help. His personable nature can help you feel immediately at ease, and his expertise in chiropractic care enables him to create a customized treatment path to get you back on your feet and back to your normal daily routines.

Schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience, either online or by phone.

If you experience a car crash, the first thing to do is take steps to secure your immediate safety. Take a moment to check for bleeding or signs of broken bones. Check your surroundings to see if you need to move away from the vehicle. Call for emergency help if there is significant damage to yourself, your vehicle, or anyone else involved in the accident. Don’t forget to call a friend or family member in case you need assistance.

If you have significant bleeding, broken bones, or are experiencing chest pain or difficulty breathing, the best place to seek care is in the nearest emergency room. Chiropractic care can wait until you’re in a stable condition.

It’s normal to feel stiff and sore for a few days after an auto accident. After all, your body sustains a great deal of strain when a sudden collision occurs. In some cases, these issues will resolve themselves after a few days of rest, self-care, and over-the-counter medication. If you find yourself with lingering pain after a few days, reach out to Dr. Gutierrez to discuss scheduling a diagnostic exam. An auto accident can damage your ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissues. Your vertebrae can also be affected, as can the discs that work to cushion each joint of your spine.

Some of the repercussions of a car accident are easy to see, like cuts, bruising, and abrasions. Internal damage is far more challenging to diagnose, so don’t delay coming in for a diagnostic workup if you feel something just isn’t right.

Over-the-counter drugs definitely have a place in managing short-term pain. It is a mistake, however, to assume that just because these medications are available in virtually every drugstore or grocery store, they don’t carry a risk of serious side effects. Any medication takes a toll on your body, and must be metabolized and processed. Relying on over-the-counter medications for more than a few days can cause serious negative outcomes, including stomach ulcers, memory loss, kidney failure, and heart problems.

Over-the-counter medication can also lead to addiction. While these drugs are not as commonly abused as many prescription medications, there is a risk of becoming dependent if you take over-the-counter medications for prolonged periods of time. Chiropractic care is a great way to treat car accident injuries. The entire process is shaped around the belief that your body has an amazing power to heal itself, given the right set of circumstances. Chiropractic care strives to empower your natural healing function.

To learn more, schedule an appointment today, either online or by phone.