Whiplash: Who You Gonna Call? A Chiropractor!

5 Reasons Whiplash Sufferers Should Choose Chiropractic Care

Our neck is a busy body part. It holds our head up, turns it, and allows us to see, hear, and speak in the direction we choose.

Even with all it's importance tasks, the neck is actually fairly delicate. There are many ways everyday motion can injure the neck. In most cases, whiplash side effects include:

• acute to chronic pain,
• decreased mobility,
• and varying degrees of short and long-term misery.

Whiplash is a common neck injury. It is caused by a sudden movement that jerks the neck forward and then back in a whipping motion.  Car accidents frequently result in whiplash as the vehicle is moving, but then stops suddenly. Additionally, you can also get whiplash from a sports injury. Predominately, contact sports are most likely to cause the injury.

Whiplash affects the neck's ligaments and joints in various degrees.  Generally, depending on the speed of the vehicle and the site of the impact, the discs and the nerves may also be damaged.

Signs and symptoms of whiplash include varying degrees of pain, stiffness in the neck, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, and nausea. Some people only suffer from whiplash for a few days. However, many experience ongoing issues for months, even years.

Typically, people will use pain medication to cover up the pain symptoms. Also, they may get muscle relaxants to calm their neck muscle spasms. Additionally, many will take anti-inflammatory medication to help reduce swelling in the soft tissues.

If you have been injured in an automobile crash, it's in your best interest to immediately schedule an appointment with a chiropractor. There are multiple ways chiropractic care assists in managing the pain and minimizing the symptoms of whiplash.

Here are five of the best reasons to call a chiropractor:

#1: Chiropractic Care Reduces Inflammation To promote Healing

To begin, the first goal for the treatment of whiplash injuries is to get the neck's inflammation reduced.

Inflammation and swelling hinder proper healing. Your chiropractor will utilize chiropractic adjustments, along with other forms of treatment, based on your specific injury. It's essential to undergo this type of treatment as soon after the injury occurs as possible in order to reach optimum results.

#2: It Minimizes Pain For Greater Comfort

The neck is a significantly mobile body part. Therefore, whiplash can be extremely painful, as so many of the neck's components may be involved. When each movement made by the neck is painful, it's time to make sure chiropractic care is incorporated into your recovery.

Chiropractic care soothes the pain of whiplash through therapeutic techniques that promote healing of the damaged area.

#3: Chiropractic Care Returns The Body To It's Proper Alignment

When the inflammation and the pain of whiplash are reduced, the next step is to promote healing and alignment within the body. A chiropractor will perform a series of chiropractic adjustments that includes the neck and spine, but may also incorporate other parts of the body. Whiplash does a number on the body's natural alignment, and it's the chiropractor's job to put it all back together in workable order.

#4: It Offers Exercises To Increase Mobility

Old movies often show the whiplash sufferer wearing a cumbersome cervical collar. However, it is vital to the rehabilitation process to keep moving. During chiropractic visits, patients receive a regimen of exercises to perform regularly at home. These exercises, combined with chiropractic care, lessen the time it takes to recover. The physical therapy exercises will initially help you restore range of motion to your neck, upper back, and shoulders.

#5: Chiropractic Care Provides An Alternative To Surgery

The good news is that a whiplash injury rarely requires surgery. However, it is best to not tempt fate. Unfortunately, some simply suffer through the symptoms, hoping they go away. By visiting a chiropractor, you will make certain your injuries are treated and will begin to heal. A chiropractor monitors improvements and keeps you informed on your progress. He or she wants to empower you to feel better by getting you back to normal activity as quickly as possible.

If you are involved in a motor vehicle crash or sports injury that ends with whiplash, don't despair! A chiropractor will map out a treatment regimen that will decrease inflammation and pain, increase mobility, and promote healing. Remember, the sooner you see your chiropractor, the faster the treatment begins, and the sooner you see results. Don't suffer needlessly!

Need help recovering from a whiplash? We are here to help you recover and finally feel good! Schedule an appointment now.