Chiropractic For Whiplash
Whiplash is a pain in the neck.
Learn how chiropractic treatment can provide relief.
Chiropractic care can be used to treat numerous physical ailments, and one of the most common ailments it is used to treat is whiplash.
Whiplash is an injury to the neck that often occurs as a result of a sudden, unexpected jerk or snap of the neck. It typically results from car crashes, contact sports, roller coaster rides, and other physical activities where there is rapid neck movement in one direction or another.
It produces a tremendous strain on the muscles, ligaments, and joints of the neck, resulting in pain and soreness throughout this area of the body that could last anywhere between a few days to several months. Other symptoms include restricted movement, headaches, trouble sleeping, and dizziness.
Fortunately, a chiropractor can provide relief from whiplash. Through tailored adjustments, you’ll not only start seeing improved mobility, but also decrease many painful symptoms associated with your injury.
Let’s look at several aspects of how chiropractic treatment can treat whiplash to reduce its debilitating effects on your life.
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What Is Whiplash?
As stated previously, whiplash is a neck injury caused by sudden, forceful, back-and-forth motion of the neck.
Common symptoms of whiplash include intense pain or stiffness in your neck; headaches; radiating pain into the shoulders, arms, and upper back; tingling and numbness in limbs; blurred vision; dizziness; fatigue; and trouble concentrating.
While whiplash pain can range from mild to severe, it is important to seek medical attention if any symptoms worsen over time.
While whiplash is common after car accidents, the symptoms don’t present themselves right away. It’s usually a few days at least before you feel the effects of whiplash. That’s why it’s crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible after an accident or hard fall, so you can get ahead of possible injuries.
How Does Chiropractic Treat Whiplash?
Chiropractors have long been trusted to help those with whiplash injuries.
Generally, chiropractic care is recommended to reduce inflammation, decrease pain, and promote overall healing. Often, the primary treatment method involves hands-on chiropractic adjustments and spinal manipulation to improve the range of motion and encourage the body’s natural tendency toward healing by correcting the alignment of the spine.
Your chiropractor may also recommend heat or cold treatments to reduce pain associated with the injury and suggest physical rehabilitation exercises designed to restore normal movement in the neck.
With their expertise in musculoskeletal health and experience working with whiplash injuries specifically, chiropractors can help patients return to their daily activities in no time.
A chiropractor will perform a number of assessments, such as X-rays, scans, or physical tests, to evaluate the extent of your injury and design your treatment plan, which can also include massage therapy.
Chiropractic combined with medical massage not only help you manage your pain from whiplash but also help strengthen your overall musculoskeletal structure.
When to See a Chiropractor After a Car Accident or Sudden Fall
Getting into a car accident can be a scary experience, and many don’t realize the full extent of the repercussions until later. One of the most common yet sometimes overlooked effects is whiplash.
After a sudden fall or collision, it’s natural for your head to jerk backward and then forward at an unnatural angle. This can cause intense pain in your neck and back area. The combination of rapid velocity changes at a high force makes whiplash an unavoidable risk factor for many drivers and passengers in a car accident.
Even if your car accident was minor and you don’t think you’ve sustained any injuries, seeing a chiropractor within the first few days can help prevent lingering issues and the sooner you go is more likely to be covered by your car insurance.
After a whiplash injury, it is common for pain to extend beyond the neck and shoulders. Referred pain occurs when the pain travels down your back, arms, and even hands due to nerves located in the neck area being inflamed or damaged.
Not only that, but those suffering from whiplash might have difficulty sleeping, headaches, blurred vision, fatigue, and other debilitating symptoms.
None of these symptoms are normal, and they should be taken very seriously, especially if you’ve recently had a traumatic event.
Get Relief from Whiplash
Chiropractic is an effective, non-invasive, and drug-free treatment that many people have turned to for whiplash injuries.
It is based on the principle that joints of the spine and pelvis can become misaligned, which in turn affects the nervous system and can cause pain and discomfort. Through gentle spinal manipulation, chiropractors safely help relieve muscle tension and compression to alleviate pain and promote better overall health.
If you’ve recently been in a car accident or had a slip and fall accident, visit us at Oviedo Chiropractic as soon as possible. We offer same and next-day appointments for just these reasons, and we also have extended evening and Saturday hours.
Your health and well-being are our top priorities, so even if you’re not feeling the symptoms of whiplash yet, contact us today to find out your treatment options.