When your head is rapidly moved forward or back, and then “whipped” quickly in the opposite direction, a very common injury (involving your neck muscles) can occur. This is referred to as whiplash. It can cause restricted movement, acute neck pain, and/or short-term neck pain. Beyond their normal motion range, in an injury such as this, muscles and ligaments in the neck are stretched. Pain and discomfort result from these soft tissues being sprained or torn.
Numerous individuals suffering from this affliction seek chiropractic care for whiplash injuries.
Whiplash – Common Symptoms and Risk Factors
Car accidents are very typically associated with whiplash. However, it can also occur as a result of sudden falls, amusement park rides, high-impact sports, and more.
Whiplash symptoms frequently consist of one or more of the following:
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Extreme fatigue
- Concentration challenges
- Back of the head headaches
- Blurred vision
- Pain in the shoulders, upper back, and arms
- Pain and stiffness
Are you, or is someone you know, interested in chiropractic care for whiplash? If so, read on.
To ease the pain of whiplash, various techniques can be used by chiropractors. Some of these include the following:
Ergonomic Advice
So patients can perform everyday activities with minimal body strain, whiplash treatment suggestions may be made by a chiropractor. For those suffering from a whiplash accident, these can address factors including recreational activities, home, or work activities that might otherwise propagate dysfunctions.
Therapy Assisted By Instruments
Chiropractors, using a non-thrusting method may – without thrusting into the spine – apply force using a specialized handheld device.
Therapy to Soft Tissue
Treatment plans may include soft tissue therapies since those are what are affected by a whiplash injury. To the muscles that have excessive tension, stretching is done; or pressure is applied to help restore proper muscle function. Stretch and resist techniques, muscle energy therapy, and therapeutic massage may also be used.
Stabilization and Exercises
To lessen whiplash injury-related disk instability, special exercises are designed. They include self-care at home with simple movements learned/done in the clinic. In their recovery, this method allows a patient to have a very active role. To correct movement patterns that could be considered faulty, chiropractors may take a sensorimotor and stabilization approach.
Electrical Stimulation
Alternatives to hands-on treatment are available. An interferential electrical stimulation device is commonly used by some chiropractors. To the injured neck muscles, this treatment involves low-frequency, painless currents for stimulation.
To reduce neck stiffness and muscle spasms, as well as increase blood circulation, therapeutic ultrasound may be used by a chiropractor if the injury is severe.
Therapy to Specific Trigger Points
Here, spinal joints that show abnormal motion or are limited are first identified by a chiropractor. Through a gentle thrusting technique, she or he will help restore joint motion.
Relaxation or Muscle Stimulation
Muscle relaxation and/or stimulation, for whiplash-related muscle dysfunction, is primarily used by many chiropractors. To the muscles experiencing excessive tension, gentle stretches are applied; while to the muscle that is restricted, repeated contractions are used.
Spinal Manipulation
The chiropractor identifies misaligned neck joints and then, back to their proper place, carefully repositions them. This might also be referred to as chiropractic adjustments.
Where To Get Chiropractic Care for Your Whiplash Injury
At RejuvenX Spine and Joint, we treat pain in muscles and joints by employing a natural approach. Specializing in pain treatment, we have a hard-working team of experienced professionals. We aim to not only make a positive difference in the lives of our clients but to impart useful joint and spine care knowledge.
To assist other medical professionals across the nation, we also have established a physical rehabilitation and medicine clinic.
For more information or to make an appointment you can fill out our convenient online form.
