Whiplash & Chiropractic
Whiplash is usually experienced when the driver of a vehicle is struck from behind, and the head and neck are suddenly jerked back and forth beyond their normal limits. When this happens, the ligaments and muscles that support the spine and head can be torn or overstretched. Also, the discs located between the spinal bones can rupture, tear or bulge.
Vertebrae can be shifted out of their normal position, which causes pain, stiffness and possibly nerve damage. Other problems can occur if the spinal cord or nerve roots in the neck become irritated or stretched.
Common Problems Associated with Whiplash
- Headaches
- Low Back Pain
- Neck Pain
- Shoulder Pain
- Disc Injuries
- Tendonitis
- Rotator Cuff Impingement
Symptoms of Whiplash
A broad range of symptoms can occur as a result of whiplash, including dizziness, headaches, shoulder pan, blurred vision, pain in the arms or hands, limited ability to turn the head and lower back problems. What’s odd, is that these symptoms can occur immediately following the accident, or as much as two weeks after the trauma.
How the body responds
The amazing thing about the human body, is that it will make an attempt to immobilize any injured areas following a trauma. This can sometimes begin in the form of muscle spasms, which are protective in nature. If the injured area does not restore function with about 2 months, scar tissue will form in an effort to reduce the chances of full functionality. The problem here, is that this can eventually lead to unusual bone growth causing joint degeneration.
A study in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery stated that “…an individual involved in a motor vehicle accident is nearly 7-times more likely to suffer neck degeneration within 7-years of the accident…”. This is where chiropractic care plays a role. A chiropractor can help to return the injured muscles, joints and nerves to healthy function, thus reducing that increased risk of neck degeneration.
Chiropractic Adjustments
One purpose of chiropractic adjustments are to return joints to their proper motion and position. This allows your body to regain any lost function caused by an accident or other trauma. Another benefit of a chiropractic adjustment is pain relief caused by inflammation trapped within the joints. This will also reduce stress on any fatigued or tight muscles. Spinal manipulation can also be effective in alleviating pressure on any pinched nerves or joint irritation, which can also be a case of headaches.
If you have recently been in an accident and think you may have experienced whiplash, please call our office today for immediate assistance.
