Winter Fun and Hazards

Living in Minnesota, you have to embrace winter and have as much fun as you can, while anticipating the arrival of yet another spring. Skiing, skating, sledding and snowball fights are part of Minnesota winter. Unfortunately, so are slippery roads and hazardous driving conditions. Accidents can happen to even the most careful driver.

If you, a family member or friend are involved in a car accident, there are several important things to remember. Call the police to get a report written and of course, call an ambulance if there are serious injuries. In a two car collision, always write down the license plate number, name, and phone number of the other driver. If there are witnesses ask for their names and phone numbers also. If your car is drivable, go home and ice any painful areas of your body as soon as possible. More severe injuries warrant a visit to the emergency room or acute care clinic for evaluation and recommendation of care.

Whiplash type injuries respond very well to chiropractic care. Even mild to moderate injuries should be examined by a chiropractor experienced in dealing with car accident injuries. Gentle muscle therapies such as ultrasound or infrared laser lights can speed up the repair of muscle strains. Gentle chiropractic adjustments help re-align vertebrae, which often misalign during a car accident. Acupuncture is also a great tool for pain control and general balancing after a traumatic injury. Massage therapy helps muscles relax and heal faster by increasing circulation.

Untreated injuries can lead to more severe problems, such as degenerative arthritis and disc disease years later. So don’t ignore symptoms and hope they will go away. A good thing about living in Minnesota is that, per Minnesota state law, all treatments of injuries resulting from a car accident are 100% covered by your car insurance. This is important to know, since many people are concerned about cost with high deductibles and co pays with today’s health insurance plans.

The Red Wing Chiropractic Clinic has specialized in treating car accident related injuries for over 40 years. We would love to help you or anyone you know, that have the misfortune of being involved in an accident this winter. For any questions or a free consultation, please contact us at 651-380-8294.