Each year, people suffer neck pain. We know the disruption that neck injuries often cause as whiplash chiropractors, from sleep problems to difficulties getting through the day. Although often associated with high-impact situations, people of all ages, activity levels, and walks of life may suffer such injuries and need chiropractic treatment.
Whiplash refers to the neck damage, including the nerve roots, cervical neck muscles, ligaments, discs, and intervertebral joints. We and other medical professionals who know how to treat whiplash also commonly refer to this condition as a neck sprain or strain.
The term neck sprain describes tearing of the ligaments in the neck. Neck strain injuries, on the other hand, involve damage to the tendons or muscles of the neck.
Whiplash results from abrupt backward-and-forward jerking of the head, often during a car accident. Due to the sudden force, the muscles, tendons, or other cervical structures may stretch beyond their typical ranges of motion, causing soft tissue injuries, tears, or other damage.
The term whiplash often describes such injuries, as well as the manner in which people suffer this type of neck sprain or strain. A number of events may create the force necessary to cause whiplash injuries. The most common of these include motor vehicle accidents, contact sports, and physical assault or abuse.
For instance, a rear-end collision, football tackle, or shake or shove will sometimes cause a person’s head to rapidly snap back and forth with the force necessary to cause structural damage. Falls and blows to the head also sometimes result in whiplash injuries.
People who suffer neck sprains and strains from whiplash events experience various symptoms. Some of the most common signs of such neck trauma include:
Some also suffer unusual fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, sleep problems, concentration and memory difficulties, irritability, and depression. The types of symptoms someone may experience due to whiplash depend on the severity of their injuries, their age, and their overall health before their injuries.
The symptoms of whiplash do not always have an immediate onset. Instead, we recommend people pay attention to how they feel and any physical changes they notice in the days following the events that caused their injuries.
Care providers use various techniques to diagnose whiplash injuries. We typically begin by asking about the event and reviewing the patient’s symptoms. This helps us identify if the type of snapping force required to cause whiplash occurred. In addition to talking to patients, we also perform physical examinations.
To this end, we may check the range of motion in their neck and shoulders, as well as the tenderness in their necks, shoulders and backs. Our exams also often include checking the degree of motion that results in or increases pain and assessing the patient’s limb strength, sensation and reflexes.
To help rule out other diagnoses or factors possibly worsening the pain, we also sometimes use imaging. X-rays taken from many angles can show arthritis, dislocations, and fractures. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) also sometimes aid in diagnosing whiplash injuries to soft tissues or the nervous system.
Treatment of whiplash injuries typically focuses on three primary goals: manage pain, restore normal range of motion, and allow for a return to usual activities. To this end, other health care providers treat such injuries and we often recommend rest, heat and cold applications, and in some cases, medications.
We work closely with patients to develop customized treatment plans that address their specific symptoms, needs, and goals. These plans may include using modalities such as manual therapy, therapeutic massage or ultrasound to help reduce muscle stiffness and spasms and increase the blood circulation in the injured area.
We also use spinal manipulation techniques, muscle relaxation and stimulations, specific trigger point therapy, soft tissue therapy. Spinal manipulation involves one of our professionals gently moving the affected joint to help ease some of the restricted movement.
Specific spinal manipulation procedures, like the flexion-distraction technique, may be used in some cases. While some such adjustments use short thrusts of movement in the direction the joint has restriction, we typically employ slow, mobilizing movements to treat whiplash.
Our work with patients also includes ergonomic education, helping them to understand the most efficient ways to perform their everyday tasks and minimize the strain on their bodies.
Typically, people we see for whiplash treatment do not experience serious complications. The neck structures heal with time, and within a few weeks, those who suffer whiplash often feel better. However, in other cases, people experience chronic pain due to their injuries.
Everyone recovers differently and on their own time from neck sprains and strains. According to MayoClinic.org, some risk factors exist for experiencing long-term whiplash effects. These include high-speed injury-causing events, older age, existing neck or back pain, or a history of neck sprains or strains.
With time and care, most cases of whiplash resolve. Depending on their professions and job duties, those who suffer such injuries may not need extended time off work to recover.
For instance, a store cashier whose symptoms show steady resolution often needs limited time before going back to work. However, a law enforcement officer, who may perform more physical tasks during the course of his or her shift, may need to remain off work until his or her symptoms become more manageable.
After suffering neck injuries, some think it best to wait out the symptoms simply. However, knowing how to treat whiplash may help people recover from the effects of their injuries and move forward.
If you’ve suffered a neck sprain or strain and need whiplash treatment, a New York whiplash chiropractor can help you return to the pain-free life you once lived. We work alongside you to develop customized chiropractic care treatment plans that address your symptoms and concerns. Our doctors accept no-fault, workers’ compensation and other health insurance plans.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment at
(718)275-1313
Chiropractic Approach, P.C.
95-08 Queens Blvd.
Rego Park, NY 11374
We are always ready to welcome you to our center!
Motor vehicle accidents cause numerous injuries every year. In fact, over two million Americans visit the emergency room due to crash injuries on an annual basis.
Whiplash is a common injury in both high- and low-speed collisions, and it results in various symptoms. If not treated correctly, the underlying injuries can result in chronic pain like neck pain and headaches.
If you have been in an accident, you should see a whiplash chiropractor. At Chiropractic Approach, our chiropractors have extensive training in treating car accident injuries, especially whiplash, and seeking care greatly reduces the chances of complications.
Whiplash occurs when there is a force that is strong enough to cause the head to forcefully move forwards and backwards. This results in damage to the soft tissues in the neck, which include the neck muscles, ligaments, and nerves.
There are numerous causes of whiplash, but car accidents are one of the most common ones, especially rear-ended crashes. In fact, 85% of whiplash injuries occur from a rear-ended collision.
Contrary to popular belief, a vehicle does not have to hit the other one with a large amount of force to cause injury to the neck. Cars traveling as slow as 5 mph can cause enough damage to require whiplash treatment.
Anyone can be a victim of whiplash, but there are certain risk factors that increase the chances of developing chronic pain or having worse outcomes:
The force of the crash can result in a myriad of symptoms. Although whiplash directly affects the tissues of the neck and base of the skull, symptoms do not occur just in those areas.
Crash victims may notice the effects of whiplash throughout their body.
Common symptoms include:
Some people may also notice symptoms such as irritability, depression, trouble sleeping, ear ringing, issues with memory, or difficulty concentrating.
Some people may ignore whiplash symptoms, especially if they are mild. However, untreated whiplash can result in numerous complications. If you are wondering how to treat whiplash, seeking help from a chiropractor is a good idea.
Chiropractic is an area of healthcare that focuses on the body’s natural ability to heal. Unlike some other healthcare fields that just cover up symptoms, chiropractic finds the cause of the problem and treats it so that it does not cause any future issues.
A chiropractor examines the spine and the associated nerves. If a spinal bone is out of place, it puts pressure on nerves, which can cause a variety of symptoms.
A chiropractor adjusts the bone back into its original position, relieving the nerve pressure and restoring function through spinal manipulation. Because whiplash often results in spinal misalignments, chiropractic treatment is one of the ways to realign the areas of concern.
If you have never been to a chiropractor before, you may be wondering what to expect. When you schedule an appointment after an accident, the visit will consist of a variety of things, depending on what the chiropractor finds and what the treatment plan is.
During the first part of the visit, the chiropractor will sit down with you and ask a lot of questions. These will gather information about:
After the consultation, the chiropractor will determine if you are a good candidate for chiropractic. If so, he or she will next conduct a thorough exam to determine what is causing your symptoms.
The chiropractor examines your spine via palpation and movement as well as examines the associated muscles for dysfunction such as spasticity. For whiplash, exams may focus on the cervical spine area.
The chiropractor may conduct a series of tests to check the function of individual parts of your nervous system. Other parts of the exam may include reflexes or balance.
Depending on your symptoms and what the chiropractor finds during the initial exam, he or she may take X-rays of your spine. These help to detect problems that the chiropractor cannot see otherwise.
X-rays also show the extent of spinal degeneration, which helps determine how many visits may be necessary to completely restore function.
Based on the exam results, the chiropractor will know exactly how to treat whiplash injuries, including the specific spinal manipulation techniques needed. Most visits will consist of spinal adjustments.
The chiropractor may use manual therapy or an instrument to move the misaligned bones back into place. The location of the adjustments and spinal manipulation techniques will vary for each visit, depending on what the chiropractor finds.
To help with the healing process, the chiropractor may do additional therapies during the visit, not just spinal manipulation. During the initial visits, the chiropractor may apply ice or heat to help calm the muscles before the adjustment.
Other treatment options the chiropractor may choose from include muscle stimulation, trigger point therapy, stabilization exercises, or relaxation techniques. Therapeutic massage may also be necessary to relieve muscle tension.
For complete accident injury treatment, the chiropractor will recommend a series of appointments. The purpose of the initial visits is to treat injured soft tissues and eliminate symptoms as quickly as possible.
The purpose of ongoing visits is to treat the underlying soft tissue injuries and stabilize the spine to prevent future or chronic issues.
If you are a victim of a car crash, it is important to make an appointment with a whiplash chiropractor as soon as possible. Some whiplash symptoms take a few hours or days to appear, but a chiropractor can detect spinal and muscular issues before you even notice the symptoms.
If you put off treatment, whiplash can be more difficult.
The sooner you seek whiplash treatments, the sooner you will begin to feel better. Our doctors accept no-fault insurance, workers’ compensation, and other health insurance plans.
Contact Chiropractic Approach to schedule your appointment today.
We are always ready to welcome you to our center!
Our doctors and staff at Chiropractic Approach, P.C. are dedicated, engaging, and are focused on your chiropractic needs. We use contemporary treatment techniques and are consistently adapting our practice to the latest and most effective treatment options available to chiropractors. All our Doctors are Board Certified.
Mon 9:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Tue 9:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Wed 9:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Thu 9:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Fri 9:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Sat 9:00 – 2:00 p.m.
