One of the most common injuries resulting from trauma, such as a car crash, is whiplash. Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when a person’s head is violently snapped forward then backward, putting their spine and the muscles in their neck through extreme stress. After suffering whiplash, a patient may experience acute neck pain, prolonged difficulty moving their neck, shoulder/back pain, numbness, and/or headaches.
DIAGNOSING WHIPLASH
Though common, whiplash is sometimes difficult to diagnose given that there are a number of other causes for a whiplash-like symptom, including stingers and pinched nerves. Oftentimes, a person who has been in a traumatic accident may experience problems such as these in addition to whiplash.
During your initial visit, a well-focused examination is provided to accurately and thoroughly diagnose the cause of the symptoms you are experiencing. This examination addresses normally functioning tissues and injured tissues and includes palpation of injured and healthy areas along with mechanical and neurological examination procedures to determine the severity of injuries, normal and abnormal functions of the body, and effects on your activities of daily living. In addition to a physical examination, diagnostic testing such as x-ray or MRI may be ordered. These procedures are necessary to identify the extent of your injuries and determine pre-existing conditions that could compound your symptoms.
After a thorough examination of the injured area diagnosis is made and treatment may begin.
TREATING WHIPLASH
The treatment plan for whiplash varies depending on the severity of the injury as well as any other condition that may complicate your condition. Treatment usually starts by reducing the inflammation in the injured tissues of your neck. This is done using a variety of modalities and techniques such as electric stimulation, ultrasound, stretches, massages and mild mobilization/traction of the joints. After the inflammation and pain have been reduced gentle spinal manipulation procedures are provided to restore your full range of motion in your neck. Depending on the severity of your injury, these procedures may take a number of forms. In every case, though, the goal is to restore a complete range of motion, enhance normal nerve function in the affected regions and eliminate pain and stiffness.
Patients suffering from whiplash can often expect a good recovery with the right measures are taken.
CONCLUSION
Whiplash is a painful condition that sometimes won’t go away on its own. If you are suffering from prolonged neck stiffness and pain or any other symptoms resulting from trauma to your neck, we hope that you will contact Westside Chiropractic LLC today to schedule an appointment. Westside Chiropractic LLC is ready to get you on the road to recovery.