The 4 Key Steps to Whiplash Treatment
Whiplash is an injury caused by sudden, forceful, or angular rotation of the neck, torso, or spine in one or both directions. If you’ve experienced a whiplash injury, you’re probably unsure of what it entails and how to go about getting treatment for your whiplash.
However, at Creekside Chiropractic, we recognize and resolve whiplash issues in approximately 20% of our client base. Our success rate is even higher within sensitive subacute and chronic patients suffering from neck & back pain ranging from mild to severe levels.
- We will first diagnose the condition
- Establish the underlying cause
- Then administer proven chiropractic practices
Schedule an appointment with our chiropractor today.
A Brief Overview
Whiplash is a common injury when the neck is twisted to one side. This twisting motion results in an abrupt change in the neck position and a temporary stretching of several ligaments. This causes the head to move forward and causes the spine to arch backward, in turn creating stress on the neck and shoulders muscles, discs, and bones.
The potential long-term effects of whiplash include:
- Chronic pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulder regions.
- Dizziness and loss of muscle strength or coordination.
These symptoms can last for months or years after an injury occurs.
If you have whiplash, you should get medical attention right away. A chiropractor will examine your neck to determine any signs of injury.
Key Steps to Whiplash Treatment
As mentioned earlier, whiplash is a complicated injury that often causes pain in the neck. Despite the severity of this injury, there are steps you can take to help reduce your risk and get proper treatment.
Step 1: Identify the Injury
The first step in treating whiplash is diagnosis. A doctor will make a complete diagnostic history, including a physical examination and specific questions about the accident, including any pre-existing conditions or medications you may be taking.
They may also perform a thorough neurological examination of your neck and shoulder areas to assess any signs of injury or inflammation of the muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Step 2: Decide on Treatment
Once you are diagnosed with whiplash, you must be treated with the best treatment possible to prevent the future resurfacing of the condition. There are many different types of treatments available for whiplash injuries; each has its own set of benefits and risks.
Your chiropractor will help you choose which option is right for you based on your condition and its severity.
Step 3: Start Treatment Soon After the Accident
Once your chiropractor has determined what type of treatment is best for you, don’t wait long before enrolling, not to delay your recovery. You must follow all instructions given by your doctor during treatment so that they can monitor your progress along the way.
Chiropractic treatments are often effective since they target specific areas of the spine that are injured or inflamed in whiplash cases. For example, a chiropractor can adjust vertebrae to alleviate disc misalignment and nerve compression.
Chiropractic adjustments can help reduce muscle spasms in the neck and upper back and improve blood circulation in the area.
Step 4: Physical therapy
After several weeks of rest and treatment, many people find that physical therapy is necessary so they can regain strength in their arms and legs after being in a position where they’ve been stretched out too far.
Visit Our Chiropractor in Salt Lake City, UT Today
Of course, if you are suffering from whiplash, there is no substitute for the treatments and techniques used by a qualified chiropractor. This includes massage, stretching, and other exercise-based techniques, as well as nutritional guidance and recommendations.
Best of all? Millennials or not, health insurance covers many of these services. If you want to get back on your feet (or head) again, then make an appointment with Creekside Chiropractic in Salt Lake City, UT today.
