Proper Treatment from Trusted Chiropractor can Help Provide Relief for Whiplash Patients

In a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2016, the United States records the most number of car crash fatalities among high-income countries. Among the most common reasons for this include failure to observe road safety practices like buckling up the seatbelt, drunk driving, and overspeeding.

While not all car crashes end up with fatalities, many cause serious injuries. One of the most common injuries sustained in car crashes is whiplash. If you happen to be injured from a car accident, seek immediate medical attention. A trusted chiropractor would also be able to help.

Whiplash from Car Accident

Whiplash is essentially a neck injury, brought about by the sudden jerking movement of the neck forward and backwards upon impact, such as that of a car hitting another. The sheer force of the sudden movement could potentially cause ligament and muscle damage to the neck area. The most common indicator that a person suffers from this would be the pain and swelling that manifests almost immediately after. In certain instances, some patients even lose their voice as they suffer from temporary vocal cord paralysis.

The thing about whiplash is that it does not necessarily only affect the neck and the head. Sometimes, it can also lead to a variety of more complex issues, such as joint dysfunction in the spine or the limbs. Because of the delicate condition that a whiplash presents, it’s important that proper care and treatment be administered at the soonest possible time so as not to aggravate the pain and discomfort of the patient.

Chiropractic for Whiplash

The pain caused by whiplash injuries can range from just uncomfortable to outright debilitating. Some even develop long-term symptoms. Chronic pain can severely limit a person's mobility to the point where it causes a significant deterioration in the quality of life.

Fortunately, studies have found that chiropractic treatment can provide relief to symptoms of “chronic whiplash”. How does this kind of treatment work though?

There are actually different kinds of approaches to treat whiplash using chiropractic. Ultimately, it will depend on the condition and severity of the patient’s injury. Most commonly, though, the treatment may involve spinal manipulation, muscle relaxation or stimulation, and a host of supplementary exercises. To better ensure continued recovery, certain lifestyle and dietary changes may also be advised.

The aim of chiropractic treatment is to relieve the affected joint of its restrictions that ultimately cause pain to the patient. Spinal manipulation can be considered a delicate procedure, however, which is why it is of primary importance that you entrust the care of your condition to a duly licensed practitioner, such as those from Accident Care Chiropractic.

Sources:

Types of Car Accident Injuries. FindLaw.
Chiropractic Treatments for Whiplash. Spine-Health.

Dr. Darren Faherty D.C.

In 2004, Dr. Darren Faherty graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology from UWEC - University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Dr. Darren continued education at the highly esteemed University of Western States (formerly Western States Chiropractic College) where he obtained his chiropractic degree in 2007. He has been helping people recover from injuries and return to their normal lifestyles ever since.