Common Air Bag Injuries
Most cars today have airbags. They are designed to prevent severe injuries during an automobile accident. While an airbag can save your life, you can become injured if it is deployed.
Common Airbag and Seatbelt Injuries
Doctors are used to treating certain airbag injuries after an automobile accident. A few of these injuries include:
TMJ Injuries: If the airbag hits you in the face, it can cause a TMJ injury. TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint. These joints attach your jaw to the bottom of your skull. If you are hit in the face with an airbag, the joint can become injured.
Cervical Injury: The impact of an airbag can cause cervical injury including fractures of the cervical spine, bony neck injuries, and soft tissue injuries.
Lumbar Spine Injury: The sudden force of the airbag can put a great deal of stress on your back causing a lumbar spine injury.
Upper Limb Injury: The impact of the airbag often results in a broken forearm. This often occurs when you try to protect your face from the impact of the airbag. Most people who raise their arm for protection do so out of instinct.
Shoulder Injury: An airbag comes out with such speed that if you are hit in the shoulder, it can result in a fracture.
Bruises and Abrasions: The seatbelt or an airbag can cause bruises and abrasions on your face, arms, and upper body.
Broken Collarbone: If your seatbelt is placed too far to the left or the right, you can break your collarbone during an accident.
How Can a Chiropractor Help With Seatbelt and Airbag Injuries?
If you have been injured by your seatbelt or airbag, you should see a chiropractor. A chiropractic adjustment can help many injuries of the neck and the back. If you break a limb and it is immobilized for a long period, the muscles can become knotted and tight. Your chiropractor can use ultrasound therapy to help regain your range of motion. Finally, heat and cold therapy can be very helpful in treating pain.
If you were in an accident and sustained an injury from your airbag or seatbelt, you should make an appointment with Highland Chiropractic in Louisville. Our chiropractor will perform an exam of your auto accident injury and create a treatment plan. After the first visit, you should start feeling some relief.