Whiplash is a neck pain or strain in the neck as result of injury to the soft tissues like muscles, tendons and ligaments. In most cases it occurs during an accident which causes the neck to go back and forth abruptly and beyond the normal range of neck movements. The motion resembles that of a cracking whip, hence the name. The flexion-extension motion put undue strain on the intervertebral joints, cervical muscles, discs, and ligaments leading to nerve root damage.
Traditional methods of whiplash treatment pain pills, ice pack application and physical therapy to contain the pain. In milder cases these work but the neck muscles do not revert to their normal states. In severe cases chronic pain develops following a whiplash injury and needs more in-depth treatment to heal.
While it’s not life-threatening, it can lead to partial but sever disability. The focus of holistic chiropractic treatment for whiplash is to conduct spinal adjustments to alleviate the pain and correct the disability factor. While automobile accidents are most common causes, it can also occur in sports injuries, accidental falls and due to assaults. People suffering from whiplash disorders not have to suffer from the pain but also face livelihood issues as they are unable to function properly, not to mention the constant disability traumas.
A look at the whiplash symptoms:
- Neck pain
- Stiffness in the neck
- Headaches (concentrated at the base of the skull)
- Pain between the shoulder blades
- Pain in the shoulder
- Pain or numbness in the upper limbs
- Low back pain
- Dizziness and blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Concentration and memory problems
- Irritability and mood swings
- Extreme fatigue
- Sleeping disorders
If the symptoms become too severe then you should opt for advanced treatment for whiplash right away. You will recognize increasing severity of your condition when the pain spreads to the arms and shoulders, and simple movement of the head becomes next to impossible.
What is whiplash treatment?
Advanced whiplash treatment starts with thorough and in-depth evaluation of the spine and not just the neck. Doctors will try to identify places which show intervertebral disc injury, restricted joint motion, ligament injury and muscle spasms. Diagnostic touch techniques like motion and static palpation may be used to feel for tightness and tenderness of muscles, tissues and joints. Along with spinal alignment posture examination is also conducted. In severe cases additional MRIs and X-rays are also carried out to check for degenerative changes or damage.
The functional whiplash treatment includes spinal manipulation and CNS adjustments to correct the imbalance in the nervous system. Relaxation techniques are applied along with muscle stimulation methods to enable the neck to function normally once again. These non-invasive methods are accompanied by intense physical therapy and exercises to stretch and work the muscles. Along with this clinical nutrition is applied to provide a corrective and balanced diet and build up the body’s immune system. Finally serious lifestyle and ergonomic changes are advised as well as monitored to restore complete normalcy in the patient’s day to day living.
