Chiropractic Treatment Whiplash
Whiplash is most commonly a result of car accidents, especially car accidents where someone was rear-ended. The ACA shares that approximately two-thirds of people involved in automobile accidents develop whiplash symptoms. But whiplash can also occur from other injuries – sports, falls, work injuries, and other accidents.
Whiplash – Formal Definition
The National Institute of Health defines whiplash as “a soft tissue injury to the neck – also called neck sprain or neck strain. It is characterized by a collection of symptoms that occur following damage to the neck, usually because of sudden extension and flexion.”
Do I have Whiplash?
Many people begin to feel whiplash symptoms 2 – 48 hours after an accident and so whiplash can be missed during initial screenings after an accident. Below is a list of common whiplash symptoms from the ACA and Mayo Clinic.
- Pain and stiffness in the neck extending into the shoulders and arms, upper back and even the upper chest.
- Headaches, especially at the base of the skull
- Dizziness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Nausea and even blurred vision after injury, but these symptoms tend to resolve quickly
- Low back pain
- Numbness in your arm or hand
- Sleeplessness
Treatment for Whiplash
Whiplash treatment varies depending on a variety of factors such as the extent of the injury, the patient’s age, overall health, and tolerance for specific medicines, therapies, or procedures.
Many doctors treat whiplash with pain medications, muscle relaxants, and sometimes cervical collars. These can be supplemented or completely substituted with chiropractic treatment depending on the extent of the injury.
The chiropractic approach to whiplash has proven to be a highly effective method for treatment. A study published in the journal Injury found that chiropractic treatment improved 93% of patients suffering from chronic whiplash syndrome. This study focused on the analyzing the results of patients who received the following chiropractic treatments for their whiplash:
- Spinal manipulation
- Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching
- Cryotherapy
Chiropractic Muscle Relaxation Treatment for Whiplash
Instead of taking muscle relaxation drugs, a chiropractor can help relax the muscles with gentle stretches to and/or repeated soft movements/contractions the affected muscles.
Additionally, if the chiropractor finds that the muscle is very tight, they may perform a more vigorous stretch and movement.
Lastly, chiropractors can use gentle finger pressure techniques to specific trigger points that help relax the muscle and relieve some of the pain that comes from whiplash.
Whiplash Treatment at Kenilworth Chiropractic
If you think you are experiencing whiplash, call us or book an appointment online and Dr. Baj will perform an initial exam to identify the cause of your neck pain and confirm if it is whiplash. He will then develop a custom treatment plan designed specifically for you and help you implement the plan to relieve your symptoms as soon as possible.