Here’s How Chiropractic Care Helps You Recovery From Whiplash
Whiplash most commonly occurs during rear-end auto accidents. However, it can also result from sports accidents, physical abuse, and other types of traumas. The abrupt motion can injure bones in the spine, disks between the bones, ligaments, muscles, nerves, and other tissues of the neck.
As a result, you can experience pain and other symptoms that intefere with your daily life. Luckily, chiropractic care can help you recover and get back to the activities you enjoy. So, let’s take a closer look at whiplash and how chiropractic care can help.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, similar to the cracking of a whip.
The severity of whiplash can vary. Some people experience it mildly and recover within a few weeks, while others might have chronic pain and complications that last for months or even years. Additionally, some may have symptoms right away. Meanwhile, others may develop symptoms days later.
Common symptoms of whiplash include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Worsening of pain with neck movement
- Loss of range of motion in the neck
- Headaches, most often starting at the base of the skull
- Tenderness or pain in the shoulder, upper back, or arms
- Tingling or numbness in the arms
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
Some people might also experience:
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Sleep disturbances
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Depression
If you experience any of these symptoms following a car accident, fall, or other injury, it’s crucial to seek medical attention.
Does Chiropractic Care Help With Whiplash?
Chiropractors use a variety of non-surgical techniques to help alleviate pain and restore function impacted by whiplast. These may include spinal manipulation, muscle relaxation or stimulation, ergonomic and lifestyle advice, and other techniques.
Spinal Manipulation
One of the primary techniques used in chiropractic care is spinal manipulation, also known as chiropractic adjustment. This procedure involves applying controlled force to the joints of the spine to restore proper alignment and improve function.
For whiplash, research suggests that spinal manipulation improves pain, particularly in the short-term. Yet, it may also reduce inflammation and improve range of motion, furthering pain relief efforts.
Muscle Relaxation and Stimulation
Whiplash often results in muscle dysfunction—either muscles that are too tense or muscles that are weakened. As such, chiropractors may use various techniques, including stretches and gentle finger pressure, to relieve muscle tension. They might also use techniques to stimulate the weakened or inhibited muscles.
Exercises and Ergonomic Advice
Chiropractors often prescribe specific strengthening and stretching exercises to help recovery from whiplash. Chiropractors may further provide advice on ergonomics and lifestyle changes to prevent further neck strain.
Other techniques may include massage methods and spinal decompression to help foster healing and get you back to your normal.
Are You Experiencing Whiplash Symptoms?
If so, your local Noblesville chiropractor is here to help. At Anchor Health Chiropractic, our team is dedicated to your recovery. Book your appointment today, and pave your way toward a pain-free life.
