3 Car Accident Injuries That Can Limit Your Range of Motion
After a car accident, many people experience stiffness, pain, and reduced mobility that interfere with daily activities. Difficulty turning your head, bending your back, or moving your arms and legs freely are common signs of underlying injury. Without proper treatment, these limitations in range of motion can become long-term or even permanent.
At ProCare Chiropractic, patients throughout Portland, Oregon receive specialized chiropractic care for auto accident injuries designed to restore mobility, reduce pain, and support full recovery.
Why Range of Motion Is Often Reduced After a Car Accident
During a collision, the body is subjected to sudden and extreme forces. Even in low-speed crashes, muscles, ligaments, and tendons may be overstretched or torn. These soft tissue injuries often do not appear on standard imaging, leading many patients to underestimate their severity.
Without appropriate care, inflammation, muscle guarding, and joint restriction can significantly reduce flexibility and movement.
1. Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash is one of the most common car accident injuries affecting range of motion.
How Whiplash Occurs
Whiplash happens when the neck is rapidly forced forward and backward during impact. This motion strains or sprains the muscles, ligaments, and joints of the cervical spine.
How Whiplash Limits Mobility
- Neck stiffness and pain
- Difficulty turning the head
- Muscle spasms
- Headaches related to restricted cervical motion
When treated early with chiropractic care and corrective exercises, whiplash often resolves within weeks. Without treatment, it may progress into chronic neck pain and long-term loss of motion.
2. Ligament Sprains
Sprains occur when ligaments—the tissues that connect bones to bones—are stretched or torn during a collision.
Common Areas Affected
- Neck and upper back
- Lower back
- Knees and ankles
- Wrists and shoulders
Symptoms of Sprains
- Joint stiffness
- Swelling and bruising
- Pain with movement
- Reduced joint stability
Moderate to severe sprains can significantly restrict movement and make everyday activities difficult without proper rehabilitation.
3. Muscle and Tendon Strains
Strains affect muscles and tendons, which connect muscles to bones. These injuries are especially common in the lower back after a car accident.
Signs of a Strain
- Muscle tenderness
- Inflammation and swelling
- Bruising
- Muscle spasms
- Reduced flexibility and strength
In more severe accidents, muscle fibers may partially or fully tear, leading to prolonged loss of motion if untreated.
How Chiropractic Care Restores Range of Motion After a Car Accident
Chiropractic care is not limited to treating spinal misalignments. Auto accident chiropractors use a variety of techniques to address soft tissue injuries and restore movement.
At ProCare Chiropractic – Portland, treatment may include:
Chiropractic Adjustments
Precise spinal adjustments help:
- Restore joint alignment
- Reduce pressure on injured tissues
- Improve overall mobility
- Decrease pain and inflammation
Soft Tissue and Muscle Therapies
Therapeutic approaches such as:
- Manual soft tissue therapy
- Therapeutic massage
- Stretching techniques
help reduce muscle tightness and improve flexibility.
Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS)
EMS therapy may be used to:
- Reduce inflammation
- Decrease muscle spasms
- Promote healing
- Improve muscle activation
Personalized Rehabilitation Exercises
Patients are often given targeted exercises to:
- Restore strength
- Improve flexibility
- Prevent long-term mobility restrictions
Why Early Chiropractic Care Is Essential
Soft tissue injuries may seem minor initially, but untreated injuries can lead to:
- Chronic stiffness
- Permanent loss of motion
- Ongoing pain
- Reduced quality of life
In Oregon, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance typically covers chiropractic care after car accidents, allowing patients to receive treatment without immediate out-of-pocket costs.
Recover Your Mobility with ProCare Chiropractic – Portland
If you are experiencing stiffness, pain, or limited movement after a car accident, early chiropractic care can help prevent long-term complications and restore your range of motion.
ProCare Chiropractic – Portland specializes in:
- Auto accident soft tissue injuries
- Whiplash, sprains, and strains
- Loss of range of motion after collisions
- Oregon PIP insurance chiropractic care
Address: 10915 SE Stark St. Suite 200, Portland, OR 97216
Book: Online Booking
Phone: (503) 899-0707
Contact ProCare Chiropractic – Portland today to schedule a comprehensive auto accident evaluation and begin a personalized, non-surgical treatment plan designed to relieve pain, restore mobility, and help you return to normal activity safely and confidently.
