You may have been in a large accident or just a fender bender and you may feel shaken up but overall feel ok.  So you try and get back to a normal routine quickly, but this could be a mistake.  It can take days, weeks or months to start feeling the effects of an auto accident with your body.  There are streches and exercises you can do at home to minimize the potential pain.  Here are some ideas you can do for neck and back pain after an auto accident in San Diego.

WHY VISITING A CHIROPRACTOR IS IMPORTANT

If you are experiencing apparent injuries immediately following an accident, choosing to visit a general doctor is an easy decision to make.  However, some injuries don't arise right after the accident, and it can take weeks or months to start having neck or back pains.  That is why you need to see a chiropractor in San Diego following an accident, even if you feel fine.  A trained chiropractor can check right away to see if you've sustained any injuries to your muscoskeletal system.

EXERCISES TO TRY

In addition to chiropractic care from a trusted provider, you can help your neck or back heal by doing some simple exercises and stretches at home. However, before you attempt any of the following, make sure you visit a chiropractor and discuss these exercises to ensure that you’re using proper technique.

Bird Dog

Get on your hands and knees with your back parallel to the ground. Extend your right leg and your left arm, stretching as if to touch the opposite walls. Hold this position for 30 seconds and then slowly lower your arm and leg back into the starting position. Do the same with the left leg and right arm.

Dead Bug

This exercise is similar to Bird Dog, but instead of being on your hands and knees, you start by lying on your back with your legs and arms up. Your knees should be bent with your legs forming a 90 degree angle. Straighten your right leg and lower your left arm, holding both a couple of inches off the ground. Hold the position for 30 seconds before resuming the starting position, and repeat the process with the left leg and right arm.

Bridge

Lie on your back with your hands at your side and feet flat on the ground. Pushing your heels down, raise your hips off the ground and form a straight line from your shoulders to your knees. Hold for as long as you can, and then slowly lower your hips back down.

Seated Neck Release

Either while sitting on the ground or in a chair, make sure that your back in straight. Place your right hand on the top your head and slowly tilt your head toward the right. Apply pressure to increase the stretch.

Behind the Back Stretch

Stand up with your arms at your side. Bring your arms behind you, clasping the left arm with your right hand. Slowly tilt your head to the right and bring your ear to shoulder. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat with the other side.

By taking these proactive steps, you can make sure that your car accident doesn’t give you unnecessary discomfort. When you seek out help from a chiropractor, you can heal and recover more quickly.

About the Author

Dr. Blakely is a 1980 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic, the foremost and most widely recognized college in the field of Chiropractic medicine. Past pursuits in his practice have been in the sports field from treatment of professional rodeo as a team doctor for Wrangler Sports to treatment of Charger, LPGA golfers and surfing athletes.

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