WhiplashIn the guide below, our team at Plaza Chiropractic Center, your Old Bridge, NJ, chiropractor, provides information about whiplash, a common injury from car accidents.
Basics of Whiplash
Whiplash is most often associated with auto accidents but there are many incidents in which it can occur. This condition is the result of the head being moved forcefully outside its normal range of motion. Though it does typically happen during a car collision, it can also happen during contact sports like football, severe falls, roller coaster rides, and trauma, such as physical abuse.
The forceful movement causes small tears in the neck’s tissues. This causes inflammation and tension, which can lead to chronic neck pain
Symptoms of Whiplash
The most well-known symptom is the stiffness of the neck. For some, it is more of a mild discomfort that goes away after a few days. However, after an auto accident, you might not feel the pain until weeks or months later.
In addition to the stiffness, the following symptoms might be present:
- Headaches and/or migraines
- Mild to severe neck pain
- Numbness and tingling in the arms
- Dizziness
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- Fatigue
- Shoulder, upper back, or arm pain or tenderness
- Blurry vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Irritability
How Is It Treated through Chiropractic Care?
A main goal in chiropractic care for whiplash is to make it easier and less painful for you to move your neck. Both neck pain and stiffness – as well as some headaches and migraines – can be reduced or eliminated through a combination of soft tissue techniques. These can include therapeutic massage, cold laser therapy, and more.
Other techniques might be utilized to address not only the whiplash but also injuries that the inflammation might have hidden. For example, many people with whiplash also have a cervical misalignment. Chiropractic adjustments can help correct misalignments so that you can better get the relief you are looking for.
Physical therapy can also be beneficial for whiplash and its symptoms. Physical therapy includes stretching and strengthening exercises that can help the body heal naturally, reduce pain, and prevent future injuries.
Get Neck Pain Treatment and Physical Therapy from a Chiropractor on Our Team for Migraines
Whiplash can be debilitating but our team at Plaza Chiropractic Center in Old Bridge, NJ, offers personalized chiropractic care to help you recover naturally and quickly. Call (732) 723-0023 to schedule your appointment today with a “chiropractor near me.”