Whiplash is mainly associated with car accidents, however, it can develop from other means as well such as falling and sports injuries. Those experiencing whiplash often need to take time off from work due to the pain caused by their injury. Often, this will lead people to take pain medication which treats the symptom, not the problem. Luckily, whiplash is treatable by chiropractic care which can help heal the body on its own.
Whiplash symptoms include:
- Neck pain
- Loss of range of motion in neck and shoulders
- Headaches starting at the base of the skull
- Numbness or tingling in arms.
What is whiplash?
During a car accident, your neck overextends by whipping forward and back very rapidly. This motion will cause the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your neck to stretch and tear.
Soft tissue injuries develop scar tissue during the healing process. Scar tissue is less functional then soft tissue, and forms in an unorganized manner.
It doesn’t stretch and develops more nerve endings than a functional tissue.
How can chiropractic care help?
Visiting a chiropractor after a car accident or injury can help reduce recovery time. A chiropractor’s job is to stretch the scar tissue and help it become inline with the functional tissue.
By aligning and organizing the scar tissue, the pain and symptoms associated with whiplash will diminish. Chiropractors will adjust the patient’s neck and help keep it moving. Movement and stretching are crucial to the healing process from whiplash. Unless there is a fracture or a break to the bone, a chiropractor will usually recommend movement to the affected area.
A Chiropractor may also prescribe core strengthening exercises requiring balance, like exercises done on an exercise ball. This will help strengthen injured muscles and help organize the scar tissue.
Be sure to have your doctor’s approval before starting any exercise routine after an accident.
How long will it take to recover?
The damages whiplash causes will vary from person to person depending on the situation. For the most part, a full recovery can be made within one to three months.
However, depending upon the severity of the injury, it can take up to a year. Some people may never experience a full recovery because of the amount of scar tissue found within the injury. Surgery is rarely used to rectify whiplash and is only used in extreme cases.
The good news is that whiplash is treatable by chiropractic care. Patients can recover mobility, and heal their bodies naturally. Visit a chiropractor today, and receive personalized help to kick start the healing process.
References:
https://www.driverknowledge.com/car-accident-statistics/
https://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/whiplash/whiplash-animation
