Personal Injury Doctor
It may go without saying, that many drivers on today’s roadways are not using proper care and attention in regard to safety of others. A car driver may hit a bicyclist when trying to change lanes, making a turn onto another street, or when the rider was cruising down a bike lane. Riding a bicycle is one of the most common forms of transportation and recreation for many people, who want a more healthy and environmentally-friendly way to get where they need to go.
However, this means a bicyclist must be aware of unsafe drivers on the road at all times. Even the most proactive bicyclist may suffer from a bicycle accident if they happen to be at the wrong place, at the wrong time.
How Chiropractors Can Help
In the event of a bicycle accident, a rider may consider their options for injury treatment. It is common for a victim of such an incident to experience pain related to the musculoskeletal system. The human body can be easily thrown out of alignment if hit by a vehicle that weighs thousands of pounds. A bicyclist may suffer from dislocations, muscle sprains, neck injuries, and much more. Chiropractors can perform adjustments of the bicyclist’s spine and joints, to promote natural healing.
Correcting Misconceptions
Many bicyclists may worry that chiropractic adjustments are painful, and can be apprehensive about injured areas being manipulated. Rest assured that chiropractors can take this into consideration and that adjustments should not cause any sheer pain. If anything, a bicyclist may feel soreness the day after the first adjustment. But, this should be nothing more than what you may feel after a solid workout.
During an adjustment, cracks and other popping sounds may be heard. If a victim of a bicycle accident has never received a chiropractic treatment before, this may be startling. But, these noises can be quite normal and part of the session. The sounds you hear are often related to air being released between joints.
Injuries that Can Be Treated
Chiropractic adjustments are not only performed on the spinal column of the human body. A chiropractor may also realign other joints that were injured due to the accident, such as the knee, elbow, shoulder, wrist, and hips. Bicyclists who have sustained injuries from the accident and are experiencing the following symptoms, can likely benefit from chiropractic care:
- Restricted range of motion
- Headaches
- Muscle soreness
- Neck and back pain
- Sprains
- Numbness or tingling
- Inflammation
Documentation for Legal Purposes
After visiting with a chiropractor, like a personal injury doctor in Baltimore, MD, do not forget to ask for copies of exams, treatments, receipts for out-of-pocket expenses, and anything else related to your condition. In some cases, victims of bicycle accidents file a civil lawsuit against the driver for financial restitution. It can help your case to show to what extent your body sustained aches and pains, and whether future chiropractic care is needed for recovery. When calculating your potential compensation, current and future medical costs are a factor.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic for their insight into chiropractic care.