Whiplash is an injury to the neck muscles whose symptoms can progressively worsen if overlooked. It typically gets characterized by neck pain and restricted movement in the neck. A large number of patients suffer from long-term symptoms following a neck injury. Moreover, each case of whiplash is different and needs a distinctive approach when treating.
While it is a common injury among victims of car accidents, those who participate in high-impact sports can also suffer from whiplash. Fortunately, chiropractic treatments have proven efficient at treating and alleviating the symptoms of whiplash. These treatments focus on the primary dysfunctions resulting from whiplash. This article explains why and how chiropractors incorporate their expertise to treat neck injuries and other related symptoms.
Diagnosing a Whiplash Injury
Our expert chiropractors at Flex Spine and Sport will evaluate your spine as a whole – even while assessing the symptoms of neck injury. They will do this to identify regions near the spine that may have been affected by the injury. Additionally, they will outline areas that show signs of restricted movement, muscle spasms, and ligament injury. In addition to a thorough evaluation, we may order an x-ray to identify changes that may have occurred post-injury.
Chiropractic Treatments for Whiplash
- Spinal manipulation
Spinal manipulation allows chiropractors to treat injuries in many ways, including identifying neck joints that are out of place and positioning them back into their original positions. If needed, the chiropractor will apply a swift but gentle force to move the dislocated joints in the desired direction. If the whiplash has resulted in a herniated disc, thrusting spinal manipulation techniques allow chiropractors to alleviate the symptoms.
- Muscle stimulations
Chiropractic treatments address muscle dysfunction through muscle stimulation. They include exercises that gently stretch the affected muscles. If the affected muscles are restricted or too tight, the chiropractor will apply more pressure through rigorous stretching exercises. To achieve the best results, chiropractors will optimize muscle stimulations based on the nature of the injury.
- Kinesiology Taping
This treatment focuses on alleviating pain and inflammation by regulating the circulation of lymphatic fluids in your body. During the treatment, a chiropractor will apply tape around the injured area to lift the skin and relieve the pressure on the affected tissue. One of the most significant benefits of this treatment is that it does not restrict the range of motion.
- Soft Tissue Therapy
In many patients, whiplash results in soft tissue damage that can impair proper muscle function. Soft tissue therapies can help alleviate these problems by applying pressure to muscles that have built excess tension. Chiropractic massages revolving around soft-tissue treatments can relieve muscle tension and improve mobility in affected areas.
- Instrument-assisted manipulation
Instrument-assisted manipulation entails non-thrusting techniques used by chiropractors to treat soft tissue damage. Special-handheld devices allow chiropractors to repeatedly stroke the injured areas and apply pressure without thrusting into the spine. This kind of stimulation has proven very successful in treating soft tissue in older patients with degenerative joint syndrome.
- Active Release Technique
Active release techniques focus primarily on healing soft tissue damage and quickly resolving tissue disorders. It can help patients suffering from whiplash by removing adhesions caused by excessive pressure on the tissue.
Find The Right Chiropractor in Jupiter, Florida
Chiropractors may employ an array of exercises to help patients with whiplash. In addition to a whiplash treatment plan, they might refer you to another health professional if deemed necessary. If you live in Jupiter and are interested in learning more about chiropractic care and how it can help treat patients with whiplash, consider getting in touch with Flex Spine and Sport. We specialize in many chiropractic treatments, including those meant to help athletes, older patients, pregnant women, children, and more.