What causes long-term pain after a motor vehicle accident?

Of the approximately 2 million rear-end collisions in the US annually, a significant number of folks find themselves suffering from long-term pain and disability. Some research indicates that 18% of people are still in pain one year after an accident.

Dr. Messerschmidt sees many car crash cases in our Juneau location, and we frequently see people who have been suffering for many years and have not been able to find help. Dr. Messerschmidt has great success in helping these patients.

What Causes Chronic Pain after a Crash?

During a collision, the structures of your neck and back can be sprained or torn. The injured area becomes swollen and inflamed and transmits pain impulses to the spine and central nervous system.

Pain tells your central nervous system that something is wrong, which tells the muscles in the injured area to contract to protect the area from further injury.

If the injury isn't managed immediately, a negative cycle develops. The injured area keeps sending pain signals and each time, your nervous system responds. This creates a feedback loop in your nervous system that specialists refer to as "central sensitization." Your nervous system basically becomes hypersensitive to any kind of stimulation, producing chronic pain.

Dr. Messerschmidt is able to help this kind of issue, as chiropractic is a proven way to restore the nervous system's healthy functioning. Studies show that adjustments are effective at reducing pain from auto collisions and shows that chiropractic actually has positive effects on the pain centers of the brain.

If you live in Juneau, AK and have been in a crash, you don't have to suffer with chronic pain. Give Dr. Messerschmidt a call today at (907) 789-1344 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.