Whiplash is a common injury from car accidents. Although seat belts may provide some protection, they do not shield your neck or head from the impact of the collision. Whiplash may cause discomfort, mobility issues and brain fog; the best treatment for whiplash injuries is chiropractic care. Learn more about whiplash injuries and what chiropractic can do for you today.
Whiplash is the term for sudden hyperextension or hyperflexion of the neck after a car accident. Impact often causes this injury by throwing the head forward, then pulling it backwards. Whiplash may result in slips and ligament injuries, pinched nerves, or damage to your neck’s musculoskeletal system.
How do I determine if I have whiplash? Whiplash is a condition marked by decreased range of motion and neck discomfort. It can be caused by several things, so only a trained chiropractor can accurately diagnose its source. Common symptoms include stiffness in the neck, vertigo, and headaches.
How Whiplash Is Treatable By A Chiropractor
Every whiplash injury is unique. To diagnose whiplash, chiropractors using imaging, spatial motion, mobility tests, blood samples and other tests must do. This comprehensive diagnostic approach allows them to rule out degenerative diseases and create a personalized treatment plan tailored just for you.
Chiropractic Adjustments: Chiropractic adjustments and spinal manipulation involve soft or strong thrusts to the spine in a restricted direction, designed to realign it and restore normal motion. In some cases, chiropractors may use flexion distraction techniques for neck region adjustments if you have herniated disks. Chiropractic adjustments improve nerve function, restore range of motion, and protect the spine from long-term damage.
Muscle Relaxation and Stimulation: Muscle relaxation is the process of loosening tight muscles and activating trigger points to release stored energy. This technique may also be combined with finger pressure stimulations or muscle relaxants; if your muscles are tighter, more stretching may be needed. Whiplash pain may be relieved through muscle relaxation and stimulation combined.
Manual Therapy for Soft Tissues: Soft tissue injuries that go undetected can form lumps between the vertebrae, restricting range of motion. Manual therapy to treat soft tissue whiplash injuries involves manual or instrument-assisted stimulation of tense muscles. A chiropractor may use stretch and resist techniques as part of manual therapy for soft tissue injuries to reduce inflammation and tension in these muscles.
Physical Therapy For Soft Tissue Issues In Blaine MN
In physical therapy, exercises are used to restore normal spine motion. You may also receive McKenzie exercises and massages from the physical therapist. Your muscles may be stimulated with electrical nerve stimulation by the physical therapist depending on what exercises are most comfortable for you. Your physical exertion limits will dictate which treatments you receive during physical therapy.
Catalyst Chiropractic in Blaine offers chiropractic services to help you feel pain-free. Call (763) 205-3781 or email frontdesk@catalystchiropracticandrehab.com to discover how our whiplash injury recovery treatments can provide lasting comfort after the trauma.
