QUEENS, N.Y., Sept. 22, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Auto accident patients may benefit from prompt treatment following their accident, says the chiropractic team at Dr. Lee's Spine Center in Queens. The Queens chiropractor found that patients who receive treatment immediately following their accident suffer from less long-term pain and are better able to resume an active lifestyle. Delaying treatment – or relying on medication to manage pain – is less effective and can lead to long-term health problems, says the chiropractor. Dr. Lee says that non-invasive and drug-free pain management treatments, including chiropractic care, produce the best results for patients.
Queens chiropractor Dr. James Lee is urging car accident victims to seek prompt diagnostic treatment – even after minor rear-impact accidents, such as fender benders. According to Dr. Lee, whiplash injuries can happen at speeds as slow as 5mph. However, many accident victims do not realize they have sustained serious musculoskeletal injuries until the onset of chronic neck pain and headaches. Delaying treatment intensifies pain and leads to further health problems.
"While a fender bender may seem minor, the force associated with this accident impact can still whip the cervical spine beyond its normal range of motion," said Dr. Lee, a Queens chiropractor and founder of Dr. Lee's Spine Center. All it takes is one minor accident to trigger a lifetime of whiplash-related health problems. My message is simple: do not be fooled by a lack of external injuries. Internal damage may still have occurred and prompt treatment is the best way to stop the pain.
Dr. Lee recommends a prompt diagnostic evaluation, including X-rays, to identify if a whiplash injury has caused a misalignment in the cervical spine. Whiplash injuries cause abnormal spinal curvature, characterized by hyperflexion in the lower cervical spine and hyperextension in the upper cervical spine. According to Dr. Lee, this abnormal curvature compresses nearby nerves and muscles, triggering pain. Whiplash pain occurs when the neck is abruptly knocked forwards and backwards, moving in a split second beyond its normal range of motion. This abrupt movement causes a spinal misalignment, compressing nerves and triggering pain. Prompt care is essential for accurately diagnosing the injury and beginning an effective treatment program.
According to Dr. Lee, chiropractic adjustments are the most effective means for managing whiplash-related pain. These adjustments restore proper alignment to the spine, alleviating pressure on the nerves and muscles. "As long as the nerves are compressed, whiplash victims will experience recurring neck pain, headaches, migraines, and other health problems," said Dr. Lee. Chiropractic adjustments alleviate compression and relieve pain. Targeting the underlying injury delivers long-lasting pain relief without the need for medication. Physiotherapy and massage are also effective for restoring mobility and easing muscle soreness, says Dr. Lee.
The Queens chiropractors, at Dr. Lee's Spine Center, provide drug-free back and neck pain management. For more information on whiplash pain relief please visit Dr. Lee's Spine Center's website at http://dr-jameslee.com/.