Whiplash and Chiropractic Care

Do you know the symptoms of whiplash?  Experts estimate that more than three million Americans suffer a whiplash injury each year and many people never seek treatment, which can cause long-term damage.

Neck pain - ChiropractorWhat is Whiplash?

Whiplash is the common term for “cervical acceleration/deceleration injury”  This refers to damage done to the muscles, ligaments, tendons, discs, nerves and vertebrae of the neck as the result of sudden hyperextension and hyperflexion of the neck.  When a patient experiences a sudden force that moves the neck forcefully backward then quickly whips back forward, or from side to side, the ligaments and tendons that hold the vertebrae in correct alignment are injured, causing the vertebrae to change their position and irritate the adjacent nerve roots.  It can also result in injury to the muscles, discs, tendons, ligaments, joints and nerves along the spine.

How does Whiplash Occur?

Whiplash is a very common condition and is most often associated with auto accidents, but can be caused by a variety of different activities such as contact sports, amusement park rides, or slip and falls.  There are a variety of factors that can predispose a person to a whiplash injury, such as vertebral subluxations, osteoporosis, arthritis, as well as prior whiplash injuries.  It has been documented that a car accident occurring at 5 mph can pack enough force to cause whiplash.

What are the Symptoms?

The symptoms of a whiplash injury can vary greatly in terms of onset and severity, but some common symptoms associated with it are the following:

  • A loss or reduction in ability to move the neck and back
  • Neck stiffness and pain
  • Pain in arms, hands, legs and feet
  • Muscle spasm
  • Dizziness and/or vertigo
  • Back pain and stiffness
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Blurred or altered vision
  • Ringing in ears
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Numbness/pins and needles in arms, hands, legs, and feet

Remember: Symptoms may appear immediately after the whiplash injury or there may be a delayed onset of symptoms, which can prevent a person from associating the symptoms with an injury.  This often postpones the patient from receiving timely treatment.

What Should I Do if I Think I Have Whiplash?

If you suspect you’ve experienced a whiplash injury, either recently or several months or years ago, the most important thing to do is to be examined and diagnosed by a reputable healthcare provider experienced in whiplash injuries, and be prescribed an appropriate treatment plan.  Research studies have shown that chiropractic care is effective in treating acute whiplash injuries and preventing the patient’s symptoms from becoming chronic and minimizing disability.

Treatments for Whiplash

Chiropractors can utilize a variety of techniques for treating individuals with whiplash.  Some of these techniques include:

  • Spinal adjustment
  • Trigger point therapy
  • Electrical stimulation
  • Ultra sound therapy
  • Resistance exercises

These techniques can help the spine recover and achieve normal movement and heal soft tissue, such as muscles and ligaments and reduce inflammation.

What are the Long-Term Effects of Untreated Whiplash?

Patients who have a whiplash injury treated immediately suffer significantly less long-term effects than those who delay treatment or receive no treatment at all.  Long-term effects of untreated whiplash are chronic pain and loss of function, permanent damage to the vertebrae and nervous system, as well as accelerated degeneration of the cervical spine.  This is why visiting the chiropractor for proper diagnosis and treatment is vitally important to the immediate and long-term health of the patient.

If you have been in an accident and suffer with whiplash injuries, Dr. Corinne Kennedy can help you achieve pain relief.  Dr. Kennedy has an Advanced Certification in a comprehensive course of training in the Diagnosis, Treatment and Management of Whiplash Injuries through The Spine Research Institute of San Diego.