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What Happens To Your Ribcage After a Car Accident?

May 27, 2021

Car accidents are an unfortunate common occurrence among people who commute daily. Even the most simple of fender benders can still leave permanent negative changes in the body. In fact, many studies show that damage seen on vehicles involved in accidents do NOT conclusively indicate what damage will be seen in the human body. Meaning that symptoms experienced after low velocity car accidents that leave little to no damage to the car, can still damage tissues in the body. These studies have concluded that it only takes up to 8 MPH to cause widespread soft tissue micro-tearing. This means the muscles, ligaments, tendons, discs, experience small tears throughout the spine and soft tissues throughout the body. After someone has experienced a car accident, adrenaline and cortisol start ramping up in the blood stream. Then the inflammatory response start to bring about pain, fatigue, and soreness. Commonly we see patients start to experience more serious symptoms 3-5 days post accident. Here is what we see:


Ribcage Distortion


As great as seatbelts are, they can create ribcage injuries during car accidents of any magnitude. While one side of the ribcage is locked down by the belt, the other side gets thrown from the impact. This leaves a twisted and distorted position of the spine and individual ribs. Left alone, these structural issues can result in big negative consequences with breathing, shoulder mobility, basic movements, core strength, neck compensations, and more.                               


Minor Concussions


The brain gets pushed around within the skull during an accident, resulting in inflammation in the brain.  We are trained to assess and analyze concussions of all degrees. Concussions left untreated create huge long term issues in brain function like memory, attention, and energy.


Severe Muscle Soreness


Micro tearing in the muscle fibers create scar tissue, spasms, and chronic pain. This is seen most commonly in the cervical spine.


Trouble With Focus/Memory


Adrenaline surges create big bursts of energy with a comedown effect that leaves the brain feeling drained and exhausted.


Wrist Pain


Common injury from holding onto the steering wheel during impact.


Emotional changes


As the body detoxes excess stress hormones, inflammatory markers, adrenaline, etc...the body is trying balance within all these systems.



Come see a specialist at Thrive Family Chiropractic today to prevent long term car accident damage! 562-386-1415



https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9868635/

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