You’ve been in a car accident and now have back or neck pain that won’t go away. Where do you turn? Is chiropractic care effective? What about dietary supplements? Let’s take a look at chiropractic care vs dietary supplements after a car accident to help you determine which might be a better treatment for you.

What Are Dietary Supplements?

Dietary supplements are intended to supplement the diet and contain one or more dietary ingredients (including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs or other botanicals, and other substances) or their components. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not determine whether dietary supplements are effective.

Examples of Dietary Supplements for Joint Pain

Here are a few dietary supplements that claim to treat joint pain:

• Glucosamine is a natural component of cartilage, a substance that prevents bones from rubbing against each other, which can cause pain and inflammation. Some studies suggest that glucosamine supplements may help reduce pain associated with arthritis. However, it’s unlikely to help with pain from other causes.
• Chondroitin is another component of cartilage. Glucosamine and chondroitin are often found in a single supplement. While chondroitin may reduce pain and stiffness from arthritis, it’s unlikely to help other types of pain.
• Turmeric contains a chemical compound called curcumin, which seems to have anti-inflammatory properties. While some studies indicate that turmeric may reduce joint pain, evidence is still limited.
• MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) may improve functioning and pain in people with arthritis, but more research is needed.
• Fish oil contains docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EHA). These omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory effects and may reduce joint pain in people with rheumatoid arthritis. It doesn’t seem to help with other types of pain.

What Is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care involves spinal manipulation and other therapies including massage, exercise, and physical therapy. It may provide pain relief in:

• Joints
• Muscles
• Tendons
• Ligaments
• Bones

What Are the Differences Between Chiropractic Care and Dietary Supplements?

Chiropractic care addresses the root cause of pain by using spinal manipulation to better align your vertebrae, massage to loosen tight muscles and improve blood flow, physical therapy to strengthen certain muscles, and other techniques to improve problems that cause pain or certain other health conditions.

Dietary supplements aim to replace deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, or other substances you may not get enough of through your diet. While glucosamine and some other supplements may improve arthritis pain, supplements generally will not help pain that results from a car accident.

Which Is Better After an Accident: Dietary Supplements or Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care aims to identify and treat the cause of your pain after an accident. Dietary supplements are not well-regulated, may cause side effects, and generally have not been shown to reduce pain resulting from an accident. Therefore, you are more likely to experience symptom relief after an accident from chiropractic care than from dietary supplements.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care provides numerous benefits, including:

• Treats the root cause of pain
• Drug-free
• Holistic
• Non-invasive
• Reduced neck, back, or headache pain
• High levels of satisfaction with treatment
• More affordable than some other types of treatment

Schedule an Appointment Today for South Florida Chiropractic Care after an Accident

When you’re ready to get chiropractic care after an accident, visit one of County Line Chiropractic Medical & Rehab Center’s 6 South Florida locations. Whether you live in or near Miami Gardens, Plantation, Lauderhill, East Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, or North Miami Beach, we have a location nearby to help you on your recovery journey.

To schedule an appointment, click here or call (800) 811-1231 today. We also accept walk-ins at all of our locations.

No car? No problem! We offer transportation services for auto accident patients.