Generally speaking, whiplash is an injury sustained to the neck area that occurs when the neck and head area is violently moved to one side, backwards, or forwards. It occurs most often during automobile accidents, especially ones involving a rear-end collision. The motion itself can be likened to someone cracking a whip, hence the name. This extreme, and often rapid movement can push the neck muscles and ligaments beyond their normal range of motion.
Whiplash injuries can vary between a mild case with a few aches and pains to severe ones where dizziness, headaches, nausea and disorientation may occur. Most people treat the mild cases of whiplash with over the counter pain medications, which are wonderful for the temporary relief of the minor aches and pains. Unfortunately, they do little to solve the underlying problem, and once the painkillers wear off, the patient is back to where he or she started.
The problem of course, stems not from the aches and pain, but rather from the injury sustained during the automobile accident. In many whiplash cases, the neck is put under such strain, that the vertebrae and the associated discs will become misaligned, and compress the very nerves that affect the neck, shoulders, arms, hands, and head. It is this compression, and damage of the nerves that lead to the pain associated with whiplash.
Thankfully, there are ways to treat not only the pain of whiplash, but also the underlying causes. Chiropractic doctors have been trained extensively in how the body moves, its bone structure, anatomy, chiropractic care, and patient interaction. Before they even obtain their chiropractic training, many have at a minimum of three years preparatory schooling. Once there, they trained for just over four years in chiropractic medicine to obtain their doctor of chiropractic medicine.
Once a proper diagnosis of whiplash is confirmed, treatment is the next step. There are a number of different ways that chiropractic treatment can occur. In chiropractic medicine, a comprehensive view of the neck’s mechanisms is encouraged. The restrictive movement and acute pain experience by many patients can often be attributed to injured tissue, and the protective responses of the nervous system. In the case of whiplash symptoms, the nervous system essentially “locks up” the spinal joints to protect the spinal cord from potential injury. Essentially, your mind and nervous system has told your neck muscles not to move in a certain way because there is a chance of further injury.
Sometimes, however, the body needs a little coaxing back into full mobility. This is where chiropractic care can be such a great help to the healing process. A chiropractic doctor will focus on increasing the mobilization of the restricted spinal joints. By using spinal manipulation, the chiropractor will skillfully convince the various nerve receptors to begin sending messages again, relaying a more accurate picture of the situation to your mind. Over time, and with a bit of work, soon your neck will have increased mobility, and the pain associated with your whiplash injury will start to fade. Don’t be mistaken, dealing with an injury such as this will take time and effort. However, working with a qualified chiropractor can help immensely.
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