Effective Chiropractic Treatments for Hidden Soft Tissue Injuries: Promote Healing & Prevent Long-Term Pain
Getting into a car accident is never a pleasant experience. Right after it happens, you or those around you will likely check for visible injuries like fractures or bruises, and then make sure your internal organs are unharmed. If everything seems fine, that’s great news, but it doesn’t mean you’re entirely out of danger yet. Hidden injuries such as tendonitis can still appear later.
These hidden soft tissue injuries can occur due to the sudden impact of a collision. If left untreated, they can lead to chronic pain and reduced mobility. Fortunately, with proper chiropractic care from car accident doctors, you can relieve or even eliminate symptoms while supporting your body’s natural healing process.
Why Tendonitis Can Develop After a Collision
According to American Family Physician, tendon injuries account for about 7% of all physician visits in the U.S., and over 30% of sports-related injuries involve tendons. While these injuries are often linked to repetitive motion or athletic activity, they can also occur in everyday life due to sudden trauma, such as a car accident.
Tendonitis is one of the most common tendon-related conditions in these cases. It happens when a tendon, the strong fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone, becomes inflamed or irritated. In the context of a car accident, the sudden jolt or unnatural movement of the body can overstretch or tear tendon fibers. This is particularly likely to affect the shoulders, knees, or wrists.
Even minor tears can cause inflammation, stiffness, and pain. For example, whiplash-like movements often result in shoulder or rotator cuff tendonitis. Without early diagnosis and treatment, tendonitis can develop into a chronic condition or even progress to a complete tendon rupture, which might require surgery.
People over 40 or with prior joint issues are especially vulnerable, which is why a thorough medical evaluation after a car accident is essential, even if symptoms seem minor at first. Prompt care from a trusted Arizona car accident chiropractor can significantly improve recovery and prevent long-term complications!
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Chiropractic treatment offers a safe, non-invasive approach to managing tendonitis pain after a collision. Chiropractors specialize in diagnosing musculoskeletal injuries and restoring the body’s natural alignment, which helps reduce inflammation and promotes faster recovery.
Unlike painkillers that only mask discomfort, chiropractic care focuses on addressing the root cause. Techniques like manual adjustments, targeted stretching, and therapeutic exercises can help relieve pressure from affected tendons and improve blood circulation. This allows the tissue to heal more efficiently and minimizes the chances of chronic pain.
A car accident chiropractor will first conduct a comprehensive examination, sometimes including X-rays or range-of-motion assessments, to determine the extent of the injury. Based on the results, they create a personalized treatment plan that may involve different stages.
Common Types Of Tendonitis Related To Auto Injuries
While tendonitis can develop in many parts of the body, certain areas are more prone to injury after a crash due to the body’s natural reaction to impact:
- Rotator cuff tendinitis: Common after a violent jerking motion, leading to shoulder pain and limited range of motion.
- Achilles tendonitis: Caused by foot bracing during impact, resulting in stiffness or pain when walking.
- Patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee): Affects the tendon below the kneecap, often due to sudden braking or forceful leg extension.
- Wrist or elbow tendonitis: Can occur when gripping the steering wheel tightly during impact.
Each case requires specialized assessment, and what may initially feel like mild soreness can gradually develop into a chronic condition if left untreated. For instance, seeking care from an experienced auto accident chiropractor in Mesa, is important, as it can help prevent this progression through guided therapy.
Chiropractic Techniques For Treating Tendonitis
A chiropractic treatment plan for tendonitis after a car accident often includes several complementary methods:
1. Spinal & Joint Adjustments
By restoring proper spinal alignment, chiropractors relieve pressure from nerves and improve overall body mechanics. This balance allows tendons and muscles to function correctly and promotes faster tissue healing.
2. Soft Tissue Therapy
Soft tissue manipulation, such as deep tissue massage or Active Release Techniques (ART), targets areas of tightness and scar tissue. This helps reduce inflammation, enhances flexibility, and restores normal motion to injured tendons.
3. Shockwave Therapy
Some clinics use sound wave technology to stimulate healing in chronic tendonitis cases. This technique increases blood flow to the affected area and encourages the body’s natural repair process.
4. Cold & Heat Therapy
Alternating gently between ice and heat effectively reduces swelling and improves circulation for faster healing. Chiropractors often recommend these simple techniques at home as part of a comprehensive recovery plan.
5. Rehabilitative Exercises
Once pain and inflammation are under control, guided exercises help strengthen the affected tendon and surrounding muscles. These exercises also prevent future flare-ups and support long-term recovery.
Benefits Of Chiropractic Treatment For Post-Accident Tendonitis
Receiving chiropractic care after a car accident goes beyond pain relief. It addresses both the immediate injury and its underlying biomechanical imbalances. Some key benefits include:
- Pain Reduction: Manual adjustments and soft tissue work help relieve discomfort naturally, reducing the need for medication.
- Improved Mobility: By restoring joint function and flexibility, patients regain their ability to perform everyday activities.
- Inflammation Control: Targeted therapy minimizes swelling and enhances blood circulation for faster recovery.
- Non-Invasive Care: Chiropractic treatment avoids surgery and long-term drug use, focusing instead on natural healing.
In other words, when you receive an auto accident medical care, you ensure peace of mind by getting treatment tailored to your needs.
Why Early Treatment Matters
Ignoring soft tissue pain after a car accident can lead to chronic inflammation and scarring in the tendons. Over time, these changes reduce flexibility and make the affected area more vulnerable to re-injury.
Getting evaluated early by professionals experienced in post-accident injuries is essential. A car accident doctor understands how to detect subtle tendon damage that might not appear immediately after the crash.
Moreover, proper medical documentation from qualified professionals is crucial if you need support for insurance or legal claims related to your accident.
Preventing Future Tendonitis Flare-Ups
Once recovery is underway, the focus should naturally shift toward prevention. To support long-term healing, consider these effective preventive strategies:
- Adjusting workstation setups: An ergonomic workspace can reduce tendon and muscle strain by adjusting chair height, monitor level, or keyboard placement.
- Taking regular breaks: During repetitive tasks, pausing every hour to stretch or change position helps prevent overuse injuries.
- Warming up before activity: Gentle stretching or mobility exercises before sports, or physically demanding tasks prepares tendons and muscles, lowering the risk of inflammation.
- Practicing good posture and ergonomic habits: Awareness of body mechanics in daily activities, such as lifting, typing, or carrying objects, helps avoid unnecessary tendon strain.
For instance, if you incorporate these strategies into your daily routine along with proper auto accident medical care in Phoenix, you can maintain optimal tendon health.
Say Goodbye To Tendonitis Pain
When you develop tendonitis after a car accident, it’s natural to think that regaining mobility and relieving discomfort will be difficult. However, with the right professional support, it’s possible to manage the pain and return to your normal activities without the need for invasive treatments.
If you’ve been in an accident and suspect you have tendonitis, don’t wait. Early diagnosis can make all the difference. At AZ Crash Doctors, our auto injury doctors can evaluate your condition and provide specialized treatment tailored to your needs. Just contact us today!