Patients with whiplash injury may complain of pain and stiffness in the neck, extending into the shoulders and arms, upper back and even the upper chest. Two-thirds of patients suffer with headaches, especially at the base of the skull. Patients may also experience dizziness, difficulty swallowing, nausea and even blurred vision after injury, but these symptoms tend to resolve quickly.
If you are experiencing whiplash pain, a chiropractor can treat your body as a whole. He or she will examine the underlying cause of the pain and develops a tailored treatment depending on the severity of the injury. More so, an emphasis on prevention and self-care as the key to body upkeep will be advocated. This allows you to have short and long term pain relief.
Chiropractic treatments for whiplash start with an evaluation of your injuries. A chiropractor examines your entire spine and neck to identify the location of the injuries and any further concerns. After identifying the injuries, a professional in our clinic recommends a treatment plan.
Chiropractors may start by using ice and heat to reduce inflammation in the neck. Chiropractors also use gentle adjustments to improve the alignment of the neck and spine. Spinal decompression helps when you have a slipped disc and use deep tissue laser therapy for deep tissue injuries.
Self-Care for Whiplash
If whiplash symptoms are mild to moderate, some self-care options typically include:
Rest. While it is good to stay active if possible, it also makes sense to take things easier the first few days. If a certain motion or activity exacerbates the neck pain, then avoid or limit that movement until the neck has more time to heal.
Ice and/or heat. In the first couple days following a whiplash injury, applying ice can reduce pain and swelling in the neck. During this time window, the ice or cold packs can temporarily close small blood vessels and prevent a worsening of the swelling. Then ice or heat can be applied alternately a few days after the injury has occurred.
Over-the-counter medications. Some common OTC pain relievers include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Advil, Aleve, and Motrin. Acetaminophen can block pain receptors, and NSAIDs reduce inflammation. Despite being readily available at the store, it is important to carefully read the OTC label and follow its directions.
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury to the neck is also called neck sprain or neck strain. It is characterized by a collection of symptoms that occur following damage to the neck, usually because of sudden extension and flexion, according to the National Institutes of Health. Approximately two-thirds of people involved in motor vehicle accidents develop symptoms of whiplash. The symptoms usually do not develop until two to 48 hours after the injury. Whiplash can also occur from falls, sports injuries, work injuries and other incidents.
