Some days can be tough, and for some of us, it’s because of actual neck pain. Whether it’s from a car accident, a sports injury, a fall, or even too much headbanging at a concert, whiplash is serious. Some people try to just shake it off, but seeing a chiropractor is a much smarter choice.
If you’ve been told you have whiplash, the skilled professionals at Specific Care chiropractors can make a huge difference, even with the most delicate neck pain. There’s no reason to suffer in silence when help is available. Reach out to them today to book an appointment. Don’t wait; your neck will be grateful.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash happens when there’s a sudden, strong force that moves your neck quickly. It’s usually caused by car accidents where there’s an unexpected impact. This impact jolts your head back and forth very fast, similar to a whip’s motion. Other causes can include contact sports, falls, or any activity that sharply bends the neck.
Symptoms of whiplash often include neck pain, stiffness, limited movement, headaches starting at the skull base, upper back and shoulder discomfort, and tingling in the arms. Severe symptoms might include dizziness, irritability, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, sleeping difficulties, and depression. Diagnosing whiplash can be tricky since it doesn’t always show up in imaging tests. However, doctors may order x-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to rule out vertebral fractures, which can sometimes occur with whiplash.
What Can a Chiropractor Do To Treat Whiplash?
Some people with whiplash try to handle the pain until it heals on its own, often relying on over-the-counter pain relievers and using heat or ice packs. While these methods can provide short-term relief, there are much better treatment options available, like visiting a chiropractor.
After assessing your condition, a chiropractor will decide the best treatment to not only ease your pain but also promote faster healing. Based on how severe your condition is and how easily you can move your neck, they might suggest one or more of these treatments:
Chiropractic Adjustments
These adjustments help ease pain and stiffness by gently manipulating the head, neck, spine, and limbs. Whiplash can misalign the vertebrae in your neck, so careful adjustments can help realign them.
Therapeutic Massage
This massage helps those with whiplash by easing neck and shoulder muscle tension. Special techniques help relax the muscles, which can also lessen or eliminate headaches, commonly associated with whiplash. Massaging boosts blood flow to affected muscles, reducing stiffness.
Physical Therapy
With guidance from a chiropractor or physical rehab specialist, exercises and stretches can aid recovery. These help build muscle strength and flexibility, speeding up the healing process. Plus, they might lower the chances of future whiplash by increasing neck strength and flexibility.
Ultrasound Therapy
This therapy uses sound waves to relieve neck and shoulder pain by penetrating the muscles and helping regenerate damaged tissues. When combined with other chiropractic methods, many whiplash patients respond well to ultrasound therapy.
Chiropractic Care and Whiplash: The Bottom Line
You don’t have to endure the pain and hassle of whiplash. A qualified chiropractor can assess your situation and create an effective plan to reduce your pain, stiffness, and movement problems. Treatment options might include chiropractic adjustments for realigning neck bones and physical therapy to build neck strength and flexibility. Pain relief and recovery might also be achieved through therapeutic massages and ultrasound therapy.
Whiplash can be treated successfully. Consult with a chiropractor to explore your options.
