Whiplash Injuries and Treatment
Whiplash is a very common car accident injury. In fact, it's so common that over two million people sustain it each year, leaving many people with a lot of pain and suffering. In this guide, we'll discuss this injury, its symptoms, and how chiropractors like Dr. Gary Martin in Irvine can help through chiropractic auto injury treatment.
What Is Whiplash and How Does It Happen?
Though it is a common car accident injury, there are other ways it can happen. Whiplash is a condition that occurs when the head is whipped back and forth, forcing the neck beyond its normal range of motion. This causes small tears in the soft tissues of the neck. In most cases, it occurs when you are in a collision in a vehicle. However, it also happens to athletes who play contact sports. Additionally, you can sustain whiplash while riding a roller coaster, during a fall, and in any other event that forces your head through the same motion.
What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash?
When the tears occur in the neck's tissues, it causes a great deal of pain and stiffness. It can be difficult to move your head at all until the inflammation and tension die down some. Other symptoms include but are not limited to:
- Headaches, especially tension headaches
- TMJ
- Pain, stiffness, or numbness in the arms and shoulders
- Trouble sleeping or concentrating
- Irritability
- Fatigue
Unfortunately, there can be other injuries alongside whiplash, such as spinal misalignment, herniated discs, and nerve compression. These injuries can create additional symptoms.
Treatment for Whiplash
When you visit a chiropractor for whiplash, the first focus will be on treating the soft tissues through various methods. These include massage therapy, cold laser therapy, therapeutic stretches, and more. Once you can comfortably move your neck again, other techniques will be utilized. Your treatment plan will be built around your comfort level and any other injuries that you might have sustained. Adjustments are vital for restoring the alignment of the neck and back, while spinal decompression therapy is used when herniated discs and nerve compression are present. Soft tissue techniques and therapeutic exercises are utilized to ensure optimal healing and pain relief.
Visit Our Chiropractor for Auto Injury Treatment
If you've sustained a whiplash injury in or around Irvine, let Dr. Gary Martin help you heal naturally and effectively. Call (949) 559-7999 to schedule an appointment today.