What Is Bursitis & How It Relates To Car Accidents?
After a car accident, people often experience visible consequences like broken limbs or bleeding. However, victims may also suffer from less apparent issues such as soft tissue damage, including bursitis. Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that cushions the joints. This condition may not be immediately noticeable but can lead to significant pain. Fortunately, a car accident chiropractor can help alleviate this inflammation and its associated symptoms. Let’s explore how.
How Car Accidents Trigger Bursitis & What You Need to Know
Human bodies undergo significant trauma during car accidents, affecting various body parts, including the joints, even in ways that may not be immediately obvious. The bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that act as cushions between bones, muscles, and tendons, reducing friction and allowing for smooth movement. When these sacs experience trauma from an accident, they can become inflamed, resulting in bursitis.
Car accidents, regardless of their severity—from high-speed collisions to minor fender-benders—can injure any of the body’s 150 bursae. Inflamed bursae can cause noticeable red swelling around the affected joint, and the area may become painful, especially during movement.
The symptoms of bursitis may appear immediately or take days or even months to manifest. It is crucial to seek medical attention from a chiropractic professional as soon as possible to prevent bursitis and other potential complications. Imaging exams and thorough evaluations can be conducted, but visiting a chiropractor within 72 hours of the accident can expedite recovery.
Common Sites for Bursitis After Car Accidents
Car accident injuries can affect various parts of the body, particularly areas with joints such as the knees, elbows, and neck. Bursitis can occur in any of these joints, but it is especially common in the shoulders. Symptoms vary depending on the affected body part but often include red swelling and pain in the joints, knees, or hips. In advanced cases, the pain can become more intense when touching the inflamed area.
It is important to remember that bursitis can occur anywhere there is a bursa. Do not ignore any red swelling or pain, and consult a doctor or chiropractor to clear up any doubts.
Recognizing Bursitis Symptoms: When It’s Time to Seek Help
Bursitis symptoms can often resemble those of arthritis, making self-diagnosis challenging. A simple way to differentiate them is by gently pressing on the swollen area. In the case of bursitis, you will likely experience sharp pain. Additionally, increasing pain after a car accident and restricted joint motion are indicators of bursitis. Despite these symptoms, it is essential to visit a chiropractor for a professional and accurate diagnosis.
Why Chiropractic Care is Essential for Post-Accident Recovery
After a car accident, your first instinct might be to call your attorney or visit your trusted doctor. You might not immediately consider seeing a chiropractor, but chiropractic care can be highly beneficial in preventing long-term pain and complications. Many people are unaware that tissue injuries, such as bursitis, can occur after an accident.
Chiropractic treatments for bursitis are non-invasive and can expedite your recovery compared to surgical options. Depending on your age, gender, and overall physical condition, chiropractic care can be tailored to your specific needs. Initial treatments often include ice therapy and ultrasound therapy to reduce pain and inflammation, followed by soft tissue therapy to prevent muscle stiffness.
Chiropractic care involves adjusting the spine and specific joints, which can significantly enhance your overall health. Realigning the spine and joints helps reduce the irritation of the bursa, easing pain and improving flexibility. Proper alignment of the musculoskeletal system also decreases the production of neuropeptides that cause inflammation. Besides treating bursitis, chiropractic care can improve joint flexibility and spinal fluid flow, strengthening your body to prevent future episodes of bursitis.
Furthermore, chiropractic care is a drug-free approach to pain management. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who prefer to avoid the potential side effects and dependencies associated with pain medications. By using natural and non-invasive techniques, chiropractors can help manage your pain and improve your quality of life without relying on pharmaceuticals.
Schedule Your Appointment & Act Quickly to Address Bursitis After a Car Accident
Now you know that a car accident can cause bursitis. If you experience any symptoms of bursitis, do not hesitate to visit a car accident chiropractor to ensure you receive the best possible recovery and prevent further complications.
Schedule your appointment with the best Arizona Chiropractors at Arizona Crash Doctors to avoid future pains. Contact us now!Â
AZ CRASH DOCTORS
18477 S 186th Way #101
Queen Creek, AZ 85142
Tel: 480-618-680
Email: azcrashdoctors@gmail.com
