Chiropractic Care for Whiplash
Whiplash is a common condition, but many people don’t realize how severe it can be. This condition typically occurs in car accidents, when the head abruptly snaps back and forth, causing damage to the internal structure of the neck. Left untreated, this condition can lead to more serious issues over time. However, chiropractic care can help. At Health First Chiropractic in Puyallup, WA, our chiropractor provides natural treatment methods for whiplash and other ailments. Our goal is to help you return to a pain-free life.
What Is Whiplash?
While whiplash is often just considered a form of neck pain, this condition is far more complex. Sudden, violent movement of the head back and forth can cause a variety of internal injuries to the neck. For example, sometimes the ligaments become torn or stretched, while in other cases it is the neck muscles themselves that are injured. In other situations, the bones are affected. In many cases of extended neck pain due to whiplash, patients are found to be suffering from multiple kinds of internal damage. Whiplash is also sometimes referred to as a neck sprain because of the similarities with sprains that occur in other parts of the body.
Causes of Whiplash
Whiplash commonly occurs in car accidents, specifically rear-end accidents. However, whiplash can occur in any situation with sudden acceleration or deceleration that causes your head to snap back and forth. Other scenarios include sports injuries, poorly-tuned amusement park rides, children playing too roughly, falling, and more.
Signs and Symptoms of Whiplash
Neck pain is a major symptom of whiplash, and severe cases may even be accompanied by some level of bruising or swelling. Limited movement is another indicator of whiplash. In more severe cases, whiplash can lead to headaches, migraines, dizziness, blurry vision, and more.
The symptoms of whiplash don’t always appear right after the accident. It may take days or weeks for you to realize you have the condition. For this reason, it is important to seek treatment right after an accident, even if you are not feeling injured.
How Our Chiropractor Can Help
When you first visit us for whiplash, our chiropractor will ask questions about the accident and your medical history. We will perform a physical exam to look for the cause of your pain and any underlying conditions. After a diagnosis, our chiropractor will create a personalized treatment plan for you.
To treat whiplash, our chiropractor often uses an upper cervical adjustment. This realigns the top portion of the spine to alleviate tension and pressure. We also provide spinal decompression, which gently stretches the spine to alleviate pain. For soft tissue injuries in the neck, our chiropractor might suggest massage therapy. This will reduce inflammation and improve blood flow to promote healing.
Visit Our Chiropractor in Puyallup, WA for Whiplash Treatment
If you are suffering from whiplash, we can help. At Health First Chiropractic in Puyallup, WA, our team provides safe, effective treatment methods for whiplash. We will alleviate your pain and help your neck heal. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
