What Is Whiplash?

Whiplash is an injury to the neck muscles caused by trauma. It can cause temporary pain and limit movement of your neck. Whether you’ve been in a car accident or have a whiplash injury, chiropractic care can help!

Find out what whiplash is and why you should see a chiropractor for neck pain relief.

What Is Whiplash Injury?

Whiplash, also called a neck sprain or strain, occurs when the head abruptly snaps forward and backward. This type of injury is common after a car accident, though it can also be caused by falls and sports injuries.

Whiplash over-stretches the muscles and ligaments in your neck and upper back, causing painful inflammation.

What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash?

A whiplash injury is hard to ignore. Symptoms may appear immediately, though they usually develop 24 hours after a trauma. Whiplash presents in many different ways, including:

• Radiating pain down the neck
• Loss of range of motion in the neck
• Stiffness in the neck and upper back
• Headaches originating at the base of the skull
• Tenderness in the shoulders or arms, almost like a bruised sensation
• Tingling or loss of feeling in the arms
• Fatigue and dizziness
• Reduced ability to concentrate; feely groggy or confused

Whiplash symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to weeks. If you were involved in an auto accident, and have the symptoms above, seek medical care to rule out serious injury.

How Long Does Whiplash Last?

Common whiplash symptoms, like neck pain and stiffness, typically improve in a few days.

Most people make full recoveries within a month or two. In many cases, whiplash will improve on its own with rest and protection against further injury.

How to Treat Whiplash

If you act quickly, there are a few things you can do to relieve whiplash symptoms while expediting the healing process, including:

• Applying heat or cold to the neck for 15 minutes every three hours will reduce swelling and help dull your pain.
• Over-the-counter medications can manage mild to moderate whiplash pain.
• Wearing a neck brace to hold your neck and head may help you sleep, but wearing it for long periods could affect your recovery.
• Apply moist heat once the swelling subsides to relax your muscles and regain mobility.
• Other treatments, like professional chiropractic care, can help treat slow-healing whiplash injury.

Chiropractic Treatment for Whiplash

Each case of whiplash is different, and the treatment for auto injuries will depend on the extent of your injury.

For instance, at Family Life Chiropractic, our chiropractor will locate the exact source of your pain and develop a personalized treatment plan, which could include any of the following:

• Spinal manipulation – Also known as a chiropractic adjustment, spinal manipulation involves gently moving the neck joints back into place. The goal is to reduce pain and inflammation, which can gradually progress after a whiplash injury occurs.
• Cold laser therapy – Cold laser therapy uses low levels of light to stimulate your body’s natural healing. This treatment reduces spasms and is great for muscle relaxation.
• Corrective exercises –Exercises, or gentle stretches, may be recommended to rebuild strength in your neck and improve stiffness.

Whiplash Chiropractor in Clearwater, FL

To prevent any long-term effects, you should seek immediate treatment for your whiplash injury. If left untreated, whiplash could lead to chronic neck pain and dysfunction.

With over 30 years of experience, our chiropractor, Dr. Jere, offers proper diagnosis and treatment of whiplash injuries.

Call 727-447-4647 or contact us online to learn more.