Chiropractic Care for Whiplash

Whiplash injuries can range from mild to severe. Injuries tend to be more significant when your headrest is positioned too low. A Chiropractor can perform a thorough examination and order x-rays, an MRI, or other tests.  Even if the impact seemed mild, you may have whiplash if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

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• Neck pain

• Shoulder, upper back, and arm pain

• Headaches

• Blurred vision

• Pain when turning the head

• Inability to move or turn the head fully

• Dizziness

• Tiredness

• Numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, and fingers

• Ringing in the ears

• Difficulty sleeping

• Depression

 

As you can see there are a wide range of symptoms and not all of them may be immediately traceable to whiplash. The sooner you seek treatment, the less likely it will develop into a long-term problem. 

 

Patients that suffer from whiplash tend to notice the first signs and associated symptoms within the first 24 hours of the injury initially taking place.

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The days following a car accident can be overwhelming. While it may not be convenient at the time, your chances of developing long-term pain or permanently damaging yourself significantly increase the longer you go without professional medical treatment.

 

Effects of Whiplash

When your car is hit in an accident, your head is likely to jolt forward, backward, or sideways as a result of the impact. This sudden and violent movement is outside of our body’s normal range of motion. This can damage the delicate ligaments or tendons in the neck, causing pain and other potential issues.

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Signs of whiplash may not begin to appear immediately following the accident, but may slowly become apparent in the following hours or days. Neck pain, a loss of motion, and headaches are all typically the first indications of whiplash. Some people also suffer from dizziness, fatigue, and numbness or tingling in the arms. 

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In more severe cases, you may experience blurred vision, trouble sleeping, or issues with memory and concentration. Any symptoms should be evaluated by a whiplash chiropractor who can determine the severity of the damage.

 

Treatment of whiplash

Once you begin treatment for whiplash, the amount of time it takes to recover can vary based on the severity of the crash and the injury. Most commonly, whiplash is healed within about six months of the incident, but about one-third of people report neck pain ten years later. A smaller fraction experience chronic pain at the site of the whiplash for the rest of their lives. 

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The initial weeks with whiplash is a good indicator of how you will recover. Excruciating pain may indicate a higher chance of lingering effects. Pre-existing issues like arthritis, chronic headaches, or neck pain may also lead to a longer recovery period or permanent effects.

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When symptoms of whiplash exceed six months, it is known as chronic whiplash. This condition is usually treated with pain management and rehab therapy. Keeping your head and neck mobile throughout this period is important and can help reduce the time you suffer from chronic whiplash.

 

Most insurance policies will cover the entire cost of chiropractic care if you’re involved in an auto accident. We will create a personalized whiplash treatment plan for you. 

 

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Chiropractic Care for Whiplash

Scheduling a direct examination is the best way to resolve any immediate pain you may experience. It will also ensure that the chances of you experiencing some relapse or permanent damage are completely removed. The muscles and ligaments are often injured in a car accident. Our doctors are trained to identify the problem and provide several types of treatment.

For most of our patients, the following methods serve as effective treatment methods for addressing short and long-term pain.

 

Spinal Manipulation

Considered to be the most popular or widely-used forms of chiropractic treatment. Spinal manipulation, muscle relaxation, or stimulation consists of controlled stretches that are applied to your damaged or injured muscles. Depending on how restricted or tight your muscles are, your chiropractor may choose to use a more active approach when using various stretches.

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What is a chiropractic adjustment? Most often, a joint manipulation is a high velocity and low amplitude thrust that is applied to increase range of motion and promote muscle relaxation. Additionally, research has demonstrated that joint manipulation promotes the release of internal chemical mediators that help decrease pain.

 

Neck Stabilization Exercises

We will guide you in precise exercises to reduce disc derangement associated with this type of injury. The exercises are controlled motions offered during your treatment. You will be able to perform these at home as well to progress your recovery.

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These specialized exercises support your nervous system in ways that help it coordinate and control movement, as well as help your neck support its weight. This is especially important after a car accident as the body tends to brace the neck with muscle spasms, muscle tension, and uncoordinated movements. If left untreated, these can accelerate degeneration and cause chronic problems.

 

Acupuncture

Acupuncture helps the soft tissues of the neck and shoulder relax. It also increases circulation, reduces inflammation, and causes the body to release natural hormones that provide pain relief. Our acupuncture services are covered by many insurance plans. When an acupuncture needle inserted into an area of muscle spasm relaxes the muscle and promotes a healing response. This effect may be felt during treatment, shortly after, or after a few sessions.

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In severe cases of whiplash, a referral to our team of specialists may be needed. We work with a team of Neurologists, Orthopedic Surgeons, and Pain Specialists. Trigger point injections, surgery, and other forms of advanced care may be needed.

 

How are we Different?

Because the majority of whiplash incidents impact the spine and the surrounding nerves and tissues, chiropractic care is an excellent avenue for treatment. Chiropractic treatments help people find great relief from the pain associated with whiplash and are set on a road to full recovery.  Call our team at DuPage Health and Physical Therapy in Naperville to discover how chiropractic care can help you recover from whiplash.

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Not all physicians are experienced or willing to handle the additional documentation and coordination of care required for treating accident-related injuries. In fact, many doctors are not willing to properly manage injuries due to car accidents because they require additional work, responsibility, and accountability. Our chiropractors in Naperville, IL have the training and experience to care for patients who have been involved in an auto accident.

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The sooner you seek care with a qualified healthcare provider, the greater your chances are of avoiding chronic pain, excessive medical bills, and insurance headaches. You may book an appointment online or call us. Our friendly staff members are happy to answer questions and address concerns.

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