Chiropractic Care And Treatment Of Whiplash Injury

Each and every year around 2 million unlucky Americans experience a whiplash type injury. Most of these individuals dont understand Chiropractic care can be very helpful in these instances. A Doctor of Chiropractic can help patients cope with both long and short term effects of whiplash associated injuries. Before we begin discussing the numerous unique benefits Chiropractic care offers the whiplash victim lets discuss just what exactly whiplash injury is.

You might be shocked to learn the term whiplash isnt an official medical term at all. Its actually a non-medical word frequently used to describe a sprain/strain injury to the the neck. Whiplash is classified as an acceleration-deceleration injury to the soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, etc) and it usually occurs when the neck is quickly forced to flex and extend beyond normal range of motion. This leads to overload injury in the soft tissues of the neck due to excessive forces being placed on the cervical spine. The initial whiplash injury is actually tearing of muscle and ligament fibers within the cervical spine. Although it is mainly an injury involving the muscles and ligaments of the neck, whiplash can also affect the intervertebral joints, discs, and nerve roots.

Unfortunately, the response of the human body after injury can further complicate matter. Muscles surrounding the injured area respond by contracting in spasm. This is the human bodys well intentioned effort to stabilize and splint the area to prevent movement of the neck and further injury. If not limited however, this process can often spiral out of control and can eventually lead to chronic pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of motion.

Although whiplash is typically associated with an automobile accident, it does occur in many other instances. It can be caused by other impacts such as a collision in a sporting event or a fall. Some typical examples might be falling from a ladder, a collision in rugby, or an impact experienced in boxing, hockey, or basketball.

Now that we know understand whiplash and what can cause it, lets discuss some common symptoms. Neck pain and headaches are usually the obvious and common complaints in a whiplash victim. Other symptoms of whiplash can also include:
Dizziness
Visual changes
Stiffness in the neck and shoulders
Pain in the shoulders
Upper and Mid Back Pain
Abnormal sensations in the head, neck, hands and arms (such as pins and needles, burning, numbness, or tingling)

Symptoms are not always an accurate indication of whether or not a patient has whiplash. Unfortunately Whiplash isnt always obvious and easy to diagnose at the time of injury. Many victims of whiplash related injuries fail to see a health care provider after an accident because they dont immediately experience excruciating neck pain. This is often a costly mistake. Symptoms of a cervical strain or sprain can take time to manifest themselves. Generally speaking, the onset of symptoms correlates to the severity of the injury. A severe case of whiplash injury might cause pain and other symptoms immediately or within hours. In a more mild injury symptoms may not occur for weeks or months down the line. However the chronic long term effects of even a mild whiplash case can be significant later in life if left untreated and thus a potential whiplash injury is always a serious matter.

Another common myth is the belief that a high speed and large amount of force are needed to cause a whiplash type injury. Often victims of an automobile accident fail to seek medical or chiropractic care afterwards simply because their accident occurred at a low speed. Studies have shown the soft tissues of the neck have an injury threshold of around 5 mph. Simply put, an impact of just 5 mph can theoretically cause damage to the soft tissues within the cervical spine.

Speed and force are just two factors involved the development of a cervical spine injury. The likelihood of developing whiplash in an automobile accident depends on a wide variety of other factors. Some other variables include the position of the neck and head at the time of the crash, the positioning of vehicle headrests, if a seatbelt was worn, the direction of impact and whether or not the vehicle occupants saw the impact coming are just a few of the additional factors involved.

As you can clearly see, any impact or collision should be taken seriously. A victim of a vehicle collision, a fall, a collision, or any other impact would be wise to have themselves thoroughly examined by a healthcare provider as soon as possible afterward, even if no symptoms are present. A Chiropractor is a very wise choice.

Few members of the health care community are as familiar with the anatomy of the cervical spine or as well equipped to address the musculoskeletal effects of whiplash as a Chiropractor. Chiropractors receive extensive training in the anatomy and normal function and structure of the cervical spine. They are also prepared to treat both the short and long term effects of whiplash injury. With that in mind lets examine what Chiropractic can offer to patients suffering with whiplash.

Chiropractic care can be extremely helpful to a patient in the acute stage of a whiplash injury. During this early stage of whiplash a Chiropractor focuses on minimizing pain, and controlling spasm, inflammation, and other symptoms. At this stage of treatment a Doctor of Chiropractic focuses on gentle treatment. Application of ice packs and other cold therapy to control swelling and inflammation and to help alleviate pain are very common treatments. A Chiropractor may also use special forms of adjunctive therapy such as electric muscle stimulation and therapeutic ultrasound to relax muscles and help reduce pain. Massage therapy, Cold laser therapy, acupuncture, trigger point therapy, gentle stretching and joint mobilization techniques are also very common early treatment techniques used by many Doctors of Chiropractic to assist patients with whiplash type injuries.

As the injury begins to heal, whiplash symptoms often progress from pain to stiffness and inflexibility. Now that the injury is less acute and the pain has greatly reduced a Chiropractor will usually begin more intense forms of treatment. These treatment options might include things such as chiropractic adjustments to restore proper spinal alignment and function and a program of prescribed stretches and strengthening exercises. As you progress from the acute phase of care a Doctor of Chiropractic begins to focus on correction, flexibility, and prevention of injury in the future.

What makes Chiropractic different from conventional medical care? Conventional medical care focuses mainly on quick alleviation of pain and symptoms. This is usually done primarily through the use of prescribed medication. While reducing or eliminating pain and symptoms is certainly important, it is only part of the clinical picture. Stopping care after symptoms have subsided is actually a disservice to the patient. The long term effects of injury, rehabilitation, and prevention of future injury all need to be addressed with patient care as well. The focus of Chiropractic care extends far beyond the alleviation of pain and symptoms.

Chiropractors work with patients long after symptoms have subsided. A Doctor of Chiropractic is also concerned with treating spinal alignment, abnormal spinal biomechanics, a patients posture and overall health and wellness. After a whiplash injury has healed your Chiropractor can continue to offer a great deal of benefit. The modern Doctor of Chiropractic also provides ergonomic advice, suggests home exercises and specific stretching and strengthening program to restore normal range of motion and a great deal of additional advice to help you prevent injury in the future.

Another great benefit of Chiropractic care for whiplash patients is the fact that a Doctor of Chiropractic is trained to evaluate and treat the entire spine. The spinal column is one large kinetic chain of interconnected ligaments, muscles, tendons, bones, nerves, vasculature and more. The effects of forces and impacts exerted to one area of the spine are not isolated to that single area. Injuries to the neck can, and do, affect the rest of your spine. Whiplash patients can, and do, often experience problems in the middle back and low back areas as well. The ability to examine and treat the entire spine is yet another unique benefit offered by a Doctor of Chiropractic.

One last benefit offered by Chiropractic care is the fact that Chiropractors receive special training to recognize how spinal misalignment can affect the overall health and wellness of a patient. A Doctor of Chiropractic views injury and the human body from a different perspective than most of the traditional medical health care community. Chiropractors also recognize the unique limitations and advantages of each health care profession and will refer to, and work in cooperation with, medical providers as needed.

In conclusion, whiplash injuries are common within America. Research has shown Chiropractic care to be effective in the treatment of pain and the other musculoskeletal effects of whiplash. Todays Chiropractor is armed with the knowledge, equipment and skills needed to address cervical spinal dysfunction and the other effects caused by whiplash injuries. If you fear you or a loved one may suffer from whiplash, be sure to seek the advice of a qualified health care provider as soon as possible. When making the decision of what type of provider to see, remember a Doctor of Chiropractic just might be the perfect choice!