Multiple cars involved in a severe crash, including a black sedan, a red car flipped upside down, and a damaged red vehicle, on a highway with a truck in the background.

Auto Accident Injuries in Shelby, NC

Even a minor car accident can leave you with lingering pain, stiffness, or hidden injuries that don’t show up right away. Whether you walked away feeling sore or perfectly fine, your spine and soft tissues may still be affected—and without proper care, those injuries can lead to long-term problems.

At Lopez Chiropractic in Shelby, NC, we specialize in evaluating and treating auto accident injuries with safe, non-invasive chiropractic care. Dr. Luis Lopez uses in-house digital X-rays and full-spine assessments to identify misalignments, muscle tension, or nerve irritation caused by the impact.

Whether your collision was recent or months ago, we’re here to help your body heal fully and naturally—so you can move forward without chronic pain or limited mobility.

Auto Accidents

Understanding Auto Accident Injuries in Shelby, NC

Auto accidents often cause sudden, forceful movements that impact the spine, muscles, joints, and nerves—even if no bones are broken. In many cases, symptoms don’t appear right away, leading people to believe they weren’t injured—until pain or stiffness shows up days or weeks later.

Common auto accident injuries include:

  • Whiplash – rapid back-and-forth motion of the neck that strains soft tissue

  • Spinal misalignments – subtle shifts in vertebrae that affect posture and nerve function

  • Disc injuries – bulging or herniated discs that create pressure on nerves

  • Muscle strain and inflammation

  • Headaches, dizziness, or jaw pain

At Lopez Chiropractic in Shelby, NC, we understand how these injuries develop and how to detect them early. With in-house digital X-rays and a full-spine assessment, we can pinpoint the source of your symptoms—even if they haven’t fully surfaced yet—and create a plan to help your body heal properly.

Symptoms of Auto Accident Injuries in Shelby, NC

Symptoms from a car accident may be obvious right away—or they might not appear until hours or days later. That’s why it’s so important to get evaluated, even if you feel okay initially. The sooner we identify the underlying issues, the sooner you can start healing.

Common symptoms after an auto accident include:

• Neck pain or stiffness

• Headaches starting at the base of the skull

• Lower back pain

• Shoulder, arm, or jaw pain

• Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs

• Dizziness or balance issues

These symptoms can worsen over time if the injury is left untreated. Chiropractic care helps relieve pressure, reduce inflammation, and correct misalignments—so your body can recover the way it’s meant to.

A woman in a red plaid shirt is sitting in a black car, holding her head in her hand, looking distressed. A man near a gray car in the background is also appearing upset, standing next to the vehicle with visible damage on the ground between them. The scene suggests a car accident on a rural road, with debris scattered on the dirt surface.

What Causes Auto Accident Injuries?

Auto accidents—even at low speeds—create rapid, uncontrolled movements that place tremendous stress on the spine, muscles, and nerves. When your body is jolted or twisted unexpectedly, it can result in injuries that may not be visible externally but still cause significant dysfunction internally.

Common causes of injury during an accident include:

  • Whiplash from rear-end collisions

  • Sudden twisting or compression of the spine

  • Seat belt tension across the shoulders or chest

  • Airbag deployment impact

  • Bracing for impact, causing joint or muscle strain

  • Disc compression or nerve irritation from the force of impact

At Lopez Chiropractic in Shelby, NC, Dr. Luis Lopez uses detailed spinal evaluations and in-house digital X-rays to uncover these often-overlooked injuries. By identifying the root cause early, we can help you avoid chronic pain and long-term damage.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help After an Auto Accident in Shelby, NC

Chiropractic care is a safe, drug-free way to treat the underlying damage caused by auto accidents—especially when soft tissues, spinal alignment, or nerve function are involved. Rather than masking pain with medication, chiropractic focuses on correcting the root issue so your body can heal properly.

• Realign the spine to relieve pressure on nerves

• Reduce inflammation and improve joint mobility

• Restore normal movement and posture after impact

• Address whiplash, back pain, and tension headaches

• Prevent minor injuries from developing into chronic pain

At Lopez Chiropractic in Shelby, NC, Dr. Luis Lopez provides targeted care that may:

Each treatment plan is guided by your exam results and digital X-rays, so care is always specific to your needs. Whether you’re dealing with neck pain, lower back stiffness, or nerve irritation after a crash, we’ll help you recover fully—not just feel better temporarily.

A woman with brown hair holds her hand to her forehead, standing near a car accident scene with two damaged vehicles, a blue and a black car, on a sunny day.

Our Approach at Lopez Chiropractic in Shelby, NC

At Lopez Chiropractic, we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach to auto accident injuries. Every patient receives a personalized evaluation and care plan based on the specifics of their injury, health history, and recovery goals.

Dr. Lopez takes the time to understand the details of your accident, the symptoms you’re experiencing, and how they’re affecting your daily life.

Detailed Health History

We perform hands-on testing and movement evaluations to identify spinal misalignments, joint dysfunction, or soft tissue damage related to the impact.

Full-Spine Assessment

Our advanced imaging system provides clear, low-radiation images to help us detect structural problems that may not be visible from the outside.

In-House Digital X-Rays

We proudly serve the Shelby community en inglés y español, so every patient feels informed, comfortable, and supported at every step of care.

Bilingual Support

Once we identify what’s causing your pain, Dr. Lopez will recommend a custom care plan using the most appropriate chiropractic techniques and supportive therapies to help you heal properly.

Therapies We May Recommend

At Lopez Chiropractic, we treat auto accident injuries with more than just adjustments. Dr. Lopez may recommend a combination of therapies designed to reduce pain, restore mobility, and support your body’s natural healing process—based on your exam findings and personal recovery needs.

Your personalized care plan may include:

  • Chiropractic Adjustments

  • Graston Technique

  • Mechanical Traction

  • Electric Stimulation Therapy

  • Heat or Ice Therapy

  • Therapeutic Exercises

These therapies are carefully selected based on your condition, not just your symptoms—so you get the care your body actually needs to heal.

A woman sitting on the ground, distressed, leaning against a damaged car, with a young girl comforting her.

Treatment at Lopez Chiropractic in Shelby, NC

Who Gets Auto Accident Injuries in Shelby, NC

Auto accident injuries can happen to anyone—regardless of age, fitness level, or the speed of the crash. Even low-speed collisions can create enough force to misalign the spine, strain soft tissues, or irritate nerves.

  • Drivers and passengers in rear-end or side-impact collisions

  • Teen drivers with less experience in managing impact or recovery

  • Seniors who may be more vulnerable to soft tissue damage

  • Athletes with preexisting neck or back issues

  • People with sedentary jobs or poor posture that makes recovery more difficult

  • Anyone who “felt fine at first” but later developed pain, stiffness, or numbness

Common groups affected by auto accident injuries include:

These symptoms can worsen over time if the injury is left untreated. Chiropractic care helps relieve pressure, reduce inflammation, and correct misalignments—so your body can recover the way it’s meant to.

Long-Term Benefits of Chiropractic for Auto Accident Injuries in Shelby, NC

Chiropractic care doesn’t just help you feel better in the short term—it also plays a key role in preventing chronic pain and long-term complications after an accident. When your spine is properly aligned and your nervous system is functioning well, your body can heal more completely.

With consistent chiropractic care, many patients experience:

  • Reduced pain and inflammation

  • Better range of motion and flexibility

  • Fewer headaches, especially after whiplash

  • Improved posture and spinal stability

  • Faster healing after soft tissue injuries

  • Less dependence on pain medications

  • Lower risk of developing long-term back or neck problems

At Lopez Chiropractic in Shelby, NC, we focus on long-term results—so you can recover fully, stay active, and avoid the lingering effects of untreated accident injuries.

Man sitting on sidewalk with head in hands near a crash-damaged silver car

 Auto Accident Injury FAQs

  • Yes. Symptoms like stiffness, soreness, or nerve pain often don’t show up for hours—or even days—after the accident. A chiropractic evaluation can detect hidden injuries early and help prevent chronic problems later on.

  • The sooner, the better. Getting checked within a few days of the accident helps us identify soft tissue damage, spinal misalignments, or nerve irritation before they worsen.

  • Yes. At Lopez Chiropractic in Shelby, NC, we perform in-house digital X-rays as part of your initial evaluation. This gives Dr. Lopez a clear picture of any structural issues and helps guide your personalized care plan.

  • In many cases, yes. If you're working with an attorney or insurance provider, we can help provide documentation of your care. Our office team can assist you with questions related to accident claims and coverage.

  • Absolutely. Chiropractic is one of the most effective non-invasive treatments for whiplash. It can help relieve pain, restore neck mobility, and reduce long-term complications from soft tissue damage.

Schedule Your Chiropractic Evaluation in Shelby, NC

If you’ve been in a car accident—recently or even months ago—it’s important to get checked for hidden injuries. At Lopez Chiropractic, Dr. Luis Lopez offers thorough evaluations, including in-house digital X-rays, and personalized care designed to help your body heal the right way.

Whether you’re dealing with whiplash, back pain, or lingering soreness, we’re here to help you recover fully and avoid long-term damage—without relying on pain medications or invasive procedures.

Call our Shelby office at (704) 419-3553 to schedule your chiropractic evaluation today.