What is a whiplash injury?
A whiplash injury occurs when your head is abruptly jerked backward and forward, common in auto accidents and some types of sports injuries. The extreme forces applied to the head and neck in a whiplash injury compress the joints in the spine and overstretch the ligaments and muscles that protect and support the neck.
Left untreated, whiplash injuries can cause chronic pain and instability. The AllCare Chiropractic team has extensive training and advanced certifications in whiplash diagnosis and treatment to help you heal.
What are the signs of a whiplash injury?
Due to the lightning-quick acceleration and deceleration of the head and neck during a whiplash injury, the damage can be extensive. Common signs of whiplash injuries include:
- Neck pain
- Neck stiffness and decreased range of motion
- Headache
- Neck instability
- Shoulder and/or upper back pain
- Tingling, weakness, or numbness in the arms and hands
Whiplash injuries can even occur in low-speed motor vehicle collisions and may cause delayed pain that you don’t notice for a few days. With a thorough exam and treatment at AllCare Chiropractic, you can reduce the risk of chronic pain and stiffness from auto accidents and other whiplash injuries.
How is whiplash diagnosed?
Your visit begins with a consultation to discuss the history of your condition, the accident or injury that caused your pain, and your symptoms. A team member then performs a comprehensive exam to check your flexibility, the range of motion of your neck, and the strength of the muscles in the area.
Then, you go through a series of orthopedic tests to check for injury to the ligaments in your neck. These tests involve stretching your neck side to side, forward and back, and gently pulling upward on your head to stretch your neck. You may experience pain or feelings of instability during these tests.
If indicated, you may also have X-rays or an MRI taken of your neck to determine the extent of your injuries.
How is whiplash treated?
Following your exam, the team diagnoses the severity of your whiplash injury and recommends treatment. Common treatments include chiropractic care, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation.
Chiropractic adjustments improve your range of motion and decrease the stiffness in your neck, while physiotherapy can reduce inflammation and pain. Rehabilitation exercises aim to strengthen the muscles and ligaments in your neck to prevent instability and chronic pain.
Get your whiplash symptoms assessed at AllCare Chiropractic by scheduling a visit online or by phone now.
