When I was dating my wife to be, I found out that she had mid-back pain that caused breathing difficulty. When I palpated her spine, I suspected that she had been in a previous automobile accident. She replied that she had been in a wreck two years prior. I was able to help her, but I could not cure her completely because she had waited too long. Stories like hers are all too common. As symptoms appeared, she waited for the problem to disappear. When her problem persisted, she tried many things without knowing the chiropractic way. Time was ticking, and scar tissue was already built up on her injured muscles and vertebra. In her case, if she had come to me right away, it would have taken 2 - 3 months. Even now, many years after the accident, she still needs treatment several times a year, in addition to muscle strengthening exercises. So after an auto accident, early detection of problems and proper treatment are essential.