What causes persistent pain after a motor vehicle accident?

Of the over 2 million rear-end accidents in the US every year, a significant number of people find themselves troubled with long-term pain and disability. Some research indicates that about 20% of people are still in pain 12 months after an accident.

Dr. Neil Scharf sees many auto injury cases in our Parkland, FL location, and we oftentimes see people who have been suffering for many years and have not been able to find relief. Dr. Neil Scharf has great success in helping these patients.

The Roots of Chronic Pain

During an accident, the ligaments of your spinal column can be stretched or torn. The damaged area becomes swollen and inflamed and sends pain signals to the spinal cord and central nervous system.

Pain tells your body that something is wrong, which tells the muscles in the damaged area to contract to shield the area from further trauma.

If the injury isn't treated right away, a negative cycle develops. The hurt tissues keep sending pain signals and each time, your nervous system responds. This brings about a feedback loop in your nervous system that experts refer to as "central sensitization." Your nervous system actually becomes hypersensitive to any kind of stimulation, producing chronic pain.

Dr. Neil Scharf is able to help this kind of issue, as chiropractic care is a proven way to restore your nervous system's healthy functioning. Research shows that adjustments are successful at reducing pain from auto injuries and shows that chiropractic in fact has positive effects on the pain centers of the brain.

If you live in Parkland, FL and have been in a crash, you don't have to suffer with chronic pain. Give Dr. Neil Scharf a call today at (954) 227-0088 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.