Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when your head is violently snapped forward then backward, putting your spine and the muscles in your neck through extreme stress. Whiplash is often the result of trauma during a motor vehicle accident, but can happen during all kinds of activities such as football, snowboarding, or unexpected falls. Being hit from behind by a car traveling as little as 5 mph can cause whiplash.
DIAGNOSING WHIPLASH
After suffering whiplash, you may experience acute neck pain, prolonged difficulty moving your neck, shoulder/back pain, numbness, dizziness, and/or headaches to name a few. It is possible that you have suffered a concussion as well. These symptoms may come on at the time of the accident, but usually intensify over the next few days after the accident. Getting evaluated and starting treaments as soon as possible after the accident will help you recover faster.
During your initial visit, we will gather information about the accident, evaluate your posture, take a couple of scans of your nervous system to evaluate how well it is functioning, and x-rays of the neck and head to see the impact on the structure of your spine. We may perform additional exams and possibly order an MRI to fully determine the extent of the trauma.
After a thorough examination of the injured area and your spine as a whole, a diagnosis will be made, a report of our findings will be presented to you, and treatment may begin.
TREATING WHIPLASH
The treatment plan for whiplash varies depending on the severity of the injury as well as any other issues that may be compounding it. Our gentle chiropractic care allows us to begin realigning the spine from the very beginning in most cases. Getting your spine aligned will help reduce some of the cause of the inflammation along with icing, laser treatments, topical treatments, and supplements.
The goal is to remove as much interference of the nervous system as possible, so it can fully function and your body can heal. Restoring and maintaining full range of motion in your neck will take time, but is important to enable you to return to the activities you enjoy.
In most cases, you can expect a full recovery from whiplash if your treatment plan is followed, including exercises and stretches that will be recommended at appropriate times during your recovery.
CONCLUSION
Whiplash is a major trauma to your neck. Some of the symptoms might go away on their own, but full recovery is not possible unless your spine is aligned and your nervous system is fully functioning to allow your body to heal. If you have not been treated for the trauma to your neck, we hope that you will contact Hunt Spine Care today to schedule an appointment. Hunt Spine Care is ready to get you on the road to recovery.
Other articles of interest: (links to blog articles)
• Are All Patients Adjusted The Same Way?
• Wellness Chiropractic
• Chiropractic Care After an Auto Accident
• Choosing A Chiropractor That Best Fits Your Needs