Whiplash is a serious neck injury that can be extremely painful and cause other problems. We can relieve the pain and complications associated with whiplash with a chiropractic and physical therapy regimen designed to heal the neck and realign it. Let’s talk more about whiplash below and what causes it. Auto accidents are not the only thing that cause whiplash.
Whiplash Causes
The reason why whiplash is called whiplash is that it is caused by a sudden, forceful, and rapid movement that mimics cracking a whip. Your head flies forward and then backward, and this can damage the neck as well as cause a concussion.
As you already know, automobile accidents are a common cause of whiplash. Other causes include traumatic abuse, a sports accident, or a sudden fall. Whiplash is also referred to as neck strain or a neck sprain. It is important to have whiplash treated as soon as possible.
Whiplash Symptoms
You may not feel whiplash right away after an auto accident or other incident. It may take a day or two for you to experience the symptoms of whiplash. These symptoms include
- A stiff neck that is hard to move
- Arm tingling and/or numbness
- Arm, shoulder, and upper back pain and tenderness
- Blurred vision, dizziness, and/or fatigue
- Concentration difficulties/memory problems
- Depression/irritability
- Headaches that start at the skull’s base
- Insomnia/problems sleeping
- Neck pain that gets worse with movement
- Range of motion loss in the neck
- Tinnitus/ringing ears
It is important to note that some of these symptoms are also the signs of a concussion, so seek medical attention right away to avoid further complications.
In fact, if you have been injured in an accident of any type, whether auto, trauma, or sports-related, it is a good idea to seek medical help to ensure that you don’t have any underlying injuries that do not reveal themselves with specific symptoms.
As we mentioned above, whiplash generally takes some time to develop, but if you come to us right away, we can examine your neck to determine if there is any damage. This gives us a chance to employ treatment therapies before the problem gets worse.
Chiropractic Care
We are experts in chiropractic care for whiplash. Some of the methods we employ include
- Electrical stimulation to reduce neck muscle inflammation
- Muscle energy therapy to encourage joint stretching and resistance
- Soft tissue therapy to encourage the sore muscle tissue to heal
- Spinal manipulation to encourage blood flow for quicker healing
- Therapeutic massage to relieve the muscle tension in the affected area
- Ultrasound therapy to increase the blood circulation in the neck
As you can see, we have plenty of options to help relieve your whiplash. Call us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced chiropractors.
