About 2 million Americans are subject to whiplash each year. In these situations, chiropractic care can prove to be very beneficial. A chiropractor can assist with whiplash-related injuries in both the short- and long-term. Before we get into the unique benefits of Chiropractic care for whiplash injuries, let’s take a moment to define what a whiplash injury actually is Palm Coast Chiropractor.
What exactly is whiplash? Surprisingly the term “whiplash” doesn’t have an official medical meaning. Whiplash is actually a term used non-medically to describe a sprain or strain injury to the neck soft tissues. Whiplash is considered an acceleration-deceleration type injury and occurs when the cervical spine, or neck, is abruptly forced to stretch and move beyond its normal range of motion. This can lead to the neck extending forward, then flexing inward beyond its normal anatomical range. An overload injury occurs when the cervical spine is subjected to too much force. The original injury is thought to involve the tearing of muscle and ligament fibres in the neck. While whiplash is most commonly a injury to the muscles, ligaments and tendons, it may also be an injury to the intervertebral disks, intervertebral joints and nerve roots. There are many levels of injury, from mild to severe.
As if the initial injury wasn’t enough, the body’s subsequent response can add to the difficulty. To stabilize the injured area, the muscles around it contract in spasm. This prevents movement of the neck and head, and is a well-intentioned attempt to avoid further injury. The body attempts its best to create a soft collar that limits motion in the neck and head. This can eventually lead to chronic pain and inflammation, stiffness, stiffness, and loss of motion.
Whiplash is most commonly associated with an accident in the automobile, but it can also happen in many other circumstances. Whiplash may also be caused when you fall, collide with another person or cause an injury at a sporting event. A fall from a horse or a collision with a football goal, or an impact sustained in boxing, basketball, or hockey are some examples.
What are some symptoms of whiplash? The most common symptom of cervical strain is headaches. Whiplash can also cause neck pain and headaches.
– Neck stiffness
– Dizziness
– Shoulder pain
– Back Pain
Vision Changes
– A strange sensation in the neck, hands, and arms, such as burning, pins, needles, numbness and tingling.
Surprisingly symptoms do not always give a clear indication of whiplash. Whiplash is not always evident at the scene of an injury, contrary to popular belief. Many whiplash victims don’t seek medical attention because they don’t feel any neck pain immediately after the accident. Because symptoms of cervical strain and sprain may take some time to manifest, this is a mistake. In general, symptoms are more apparent in cases of severe injury. In severe cases of whiplash injury, symptoms and pain may occur within hours or even minutes. A milder case of whiplash may not cause symptoms for weeks or months.
A lot of victims of automobile accidents don’t seek chiropractic or medical attention, as their accident happened at a low speed. The general public believes that whiplash is caused by high speed impacts. This is a false assumption. Research has shown that the injury threshold for cervical spine soft tissue is 5 mph. The impact of 5 mph on the neck can cause damage to muscles, tendons, ligaments and other tissues.
A variety of factors affect the chance of whiplash, and speed is only one. Other factors that can impact whiplash in an automobile accident include the position of the head and neck at impact, the direction of impact, where the vehicle headrests are located, and whether or no seatbelts were worn.
Every impact and collision should be considered serious. Any victim of a car accident, or any other impact, should consult a healthcare provider as soon afterward as possible. A Chiropractor is an excellent choice.
Chiropractors are one of few health professionals that is as educated about the anatomy and musculoskeletal effects whiplash related injuries. The normal structure of the cervical spine and its function is taught to chiropractors. They can recognize and treat whiplash injury, and both its acute and long-term effects.
In the acute phase of whiplash, chiropractic care can prove to be very beneficial. In the acute or early stage of whiplash, a chiropractor will emphasize controlling inflammation, muscle spasm, pain, as well as other symptoms. The gentle treatment of whiplash is the first phase of care for a Chiropractor. To reduce inflammation and swelling, as well as to relieve pain, ice and cold therapy can be used. The use of special therapies such as therapeutic ultrasound and electric muscle stimulation by a chiropractor can help relax the muscles and reduce pain. Doctors of Chiropractic can also use cold laser therapy, trigger points therapy, massage therapy as well as gentle stretching and joint mobilization techniques.
