Chiropractic Care for Whiplash

Have you been recently involved in a car accident? If it's a rear-end collision, the neck pain you've been trying to ignore is likely due to whiplash. This soft tissue injury often occurs when your neck is forcefully and suddenly thrust forward and backward. The whip-like motion causes tears in the muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. It can also cause cervical spinal misalignments. If left untreated, whiplash can lead to chronic pain and long-lasting complications. A National Library of Medicine study stated that 43 percent of patients would suffer long-term symptoms after sustaining a whiplash injury. The good news is chiropractic medicine can help treat this debilitating condition.

How Can a Chiropractor Help?

Whether it's due to a road accident or contact sports injury, you must rest after experiencing trauma on your neck. Avoid performing self-care methods like stretching or massaging your neck. If you experience pain or discomfort following the injury, it's best to go to the nearest hospital or emergency care clinic. This is to rule out any possible fractures or any other severe injuries. Once these red flags have been eliminated, you should seek chiropractic care at once. 

What to Expect During Your Chiropractic Visit

Chiropractic medicine focuses on restoring spinal and muscular health. This makes its approach perfect for addressing whiplash. Your chiropractor will treat your condition by using different chiropractic techniques. The goal is to reduce inflammation and restore the alignment of your neck. Here are some things you can expect from a qualified chiropractor:

• Diagnosis. Your chiropractor will start by reviewing your health and medical history. They will then discuss your symptoms and conduct a physical examination. They will perform tests to analyze several aspects of your body mechanics. These include your gait, balance, spine, reflexes, and motor strength. They will also request imaging tests to understand your condition better. Based on these findings, your chiropractor will create a treatment plan for you. 

• Treatment Plan. Chiropractic medicine can help ease pain and prevent long-term damage from your injury. Your treatment may include chiropractic adjustments, spinal decompression, and other treatment modalities. These include massage therapy, acupuncture, and therapeutic exercises, among others. Depending on the extent of your injuries, your chiropractor will also likely co-manage your case with allied health professionals. 

• Duration and Recovery. Dealing with the discomfort arising from whiplash may cause you to worry about a few things. Some whiplash symptoms can affect your well-being and quality of life. So, you must be wondering how long it will take for your injury to heal. There's no clear-cut answer regarding the duration of your treatment. It relies on your physical health and how severe the damage is. The quality of care you will receive during the treatment will also contribute to the success of your treatment. Generally speaking, minor to moderate cases of whiplash take a few weeks to several months. In some extreme cases, these months can stretch to a year or longer. In short, the more severe your whiplash is, the longer it will take you to recover. 

Don't wait for your condition to affect your well-being and day-to-day life. At Chiropractic Nashville, we can help you with your whiplash injury. You can reclaim the life you once had before the injury. Call our office today in Nashville, Tennessee, to schedule your appointment.