Whiplash, an injury affecting the neck muscles, ligaments and tendons is caused by a sudden and rapid forward or backward motion of the neck during trauma like a car accident. If left untreated, a whiplash injury can lead to stiffness and significant loss of motion around the neck region.
Like all other injuries, whiplash requires fast and accurate treatment for the best results. Let’s see how a chiropractor can minimize the pain and damage caused by whiplash.
How Can A Chiropractor Help with Whiplash?
Chiropractic services are non-surgical treatments that offer effective relief against pain. A chiropractor is trained to make evaluations of your spine as a whole, even in cases where the injury affects only the neck region. This examination helps to determine if any additional regions are affected. The chiropractor will then use a unique diagnostic technique called motion and static palpation to identify the areas of restricted joint motion and injuries affecting intervertebral disc, ligaments, and neck muscles.
The chiropractor will also feel for tightness, tenderness, and how the spine moves. They will analyze how well you walk with a particular focus on your posture and spinal alignments. Additionally, you may also be asked to undergo an X-ray or an MRI to determine if any degenerative changes existed before the whiplash injury.
What Are the Stages of Chiropractic Whiplash Management?
Chiropractors can reduce your neck inflammation using various therapy techniques, including gentle stretching and manual therapy. They may also apply cryo-therapy, e-stim and ultrasound to the injured area. Once the inflammation is reduced and the pain decreases, the chiropractic physician will perform gentle targeted spinal manipulation.
What Are the Different Chiropractic Treatments That Are Effective Against Whiplash?
Chiropractic treatments assist in pain relief and quick healing. Depending on the level of pain and location of the injury, your chiropractor may use one of the following techniques:
- Chiropractic Adjustments — Involves the use of short thrusts to perform spinal manipulation.
- Muscle Relaxation and Muscle Stimulation — Uses calm, gentle stretches on the affected muscles to relieve tension.
- McKenzie Exercises — Designed to reduce disc derangement caused by whiplash.
In a nutshell, chiropractic treatment has proven to be effective in treating whiplash injuries. The versatility of chiropractic methods and exercises helps relax the neck muscles and relieve the pain more effectively.
Need Help with Whiplash Injury? Trust Dr. David W. Nadler & Associates
If you are looking for effective chiropractic treatments in Philadelphia or the surrounding area, there is no better doctor to see than chiropractic physician Dr. David W. Nadler. Dr. Nadler is a board-certified chiropractor with vast experience in treating whiplash and other trauma-related injuries. Request an appointment today for the best chiropractic services in Philadelphia.