Whiplash is the most common car accident injury in rear-end collisions. In fact, many people are surprised to learn that even a small fender-bender can cause an injury like whiplash that can last for much longer than expected. If you were in a minor rear-end collision, you might be tempted to skip the medical treatment and wait for any pain and discomfort to go away on its own. However, a helpful rule of thumb when it comes to car accidents is that if your car sustained any kind of damage then you likely did too. If the force of impact from another vehicle against yours caused your head and neck to snap forward and backward violently, then you might have a whiplash injury. Visit a doctor as soon as possible to get checked out and get started on your chiropractic treatment for whiplash.
Identifying Symptoms of Whiplash
Whiplash and other car accident injuries can often have delayed symptoms due to the shock and stress of the accident. During a traumatic event like a car accident, your adrenaline gets pumping and can actually mask certain pain symptoms temporarily. However, in the hours and days after a car accident, you might start to develop pain and discomfort of a whiplash injury. Here are some examples of symptoms associated with a whiplash injury.
Neck Pain
Your neck muscles may have been stretched and strained out of their normal range of motion, even causing muscle tears. Stiff, sore neck muscles are a common symptom of whiplash. Spinal damage can also occur in the neck and upper back, which can cause misalignments and symptoms like shooting, stabbing pain, tingling, and numbness.
Back Pain
Damage to the spine in your upper back can also cause symptoms of tingling, numbness, and weakness. A car accident can cause back pain that makes certain movements feel uncomfortable, like bending or twisting. You may develop stiff, sore muscles in your shoulders and upper back due to a whiplash injury.
Headaches
When your head and neck are violently jostled around or shaken up, it can end up causing painful headaches. These headaches may start in the base of your neck and last for long periods of time. You may also experience tension headaches or migraines after a stressful event like a car accident.
Getting Treatment for Whiplash
Treatment for whiplash will include addressing your symptoms and also the root cause of your pain. Chiropractic treatment for whiplash utilizes a comprehensive and all-natural approach to your healing and recovery. Here are three beneficial forms of treatment for a whiplash injury after a car accident.
Chiropractic Therapy
Chiropractic therapy involves all-natural, safe, and effective treatment options for whiplash. Chiropractors focus on restoring the healthy functioning of your whole body and work with the entire musculoskeletal system. This may include gentle, therapeutic adjustments to your spine that resolve any misalignments that are contributing to your pain. Misalignments can also disrupt healthy nerve functioning that is causing your tingling and numbness, and a chiropractor can help reduce pressure on these nerves. Chiropractors use hands-on therapy and treatments with assistive devices for a non-invasive and drug-free approach to your whiplash treatment.
Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression is another treatment technique that may help with your whiplash symptoms. This type of treatment is also non-invasive and promotes healing and relieves pain in your spine. If you also have a herniated disc, then spinal decompression can decrease pressure on the spinal discs in between vertebrae. Spinal decompression also helps increase the flow of blood and nutrients to damaged areas to support the body’s natural healing processes.
Active Rehab
Chiropractic treatment for whiplash can also include active rehab that promotes strength and improves your mobility after a car accident. A whiplash injury can make turning your head from side to side difficult as your muscles become stiff and sore. Your chiropractor can walk you through stretches and exercises to safely strengthen your neck muscles and regain your range of motion.
How Long Whiplash Can Affect You
The sooner you get started on chiropractic treatment for whiplash, the sooner you will start experiencing pain relief. If you put off going to the doctor then you risk developing complications or chronic pain. With the help of a chiropractor, you can begin experiencing pain relief right away and work through a treatment plan that helps prevent future injuries.