Whiplash And Chiropractic Care

Whiplash is the damage done to ligaments, tendons, muscles, discs, nerves & vertebrae of an individual`s neck due to sudden neck hyperextension & hyperflexion. When one encounters some force that will move his or her neck backward then forward forcefully, the tendons & ligaments that are holding the vertebrae in the right alignment are actually damaged. This will cause the vertebrae to alter their position, and irritate any adjacent nerve roots. Therefore, it will lead to the impairment of the functions of an individual`s body parts that are regulated by those nerves. At Backsmart Health Chiropractic, we can help you cure you of whiplash pain.

Whiplash: How It Occurs

Whiplash is a common condition that is mostly associated with accidents, especially car accidents. However, it can be caused by various activities like amusement park rides, contact sports, or head-banging to a heavy metal music. For sure, there are different factors that might predispose an individual to whiplash injuries, including vertebral subluxations, arthritis, osteoporosis, and prior whiplash injury.

Indeed, there is a lot of controversy that surrounds the amount of force required to cause whiplash injuries. But, according to research done by some experts, car accidents happening at 5 mph may pack sufficient force to cause an injury.

Whiplash Injury Symptoms

Symptoms can vary significantly in terms of severity & onset. However, common symptoms that are associated with it include:

• Muscle spasm

• Neck stiffness & pain

• A loss or even reduction in capability to move the neck

• Pain in the arms & hands

• Ringing in ears

• Fatigue

• Dizziness and vertigo

• Sleep disturbances

• Ringing in ears

• Altered or blurred vision

• Numbness or pins and needles in hands & arms

Whiplash and Chiropractic Care

Diagnosing Whiplash Injuries: Chiropractic Care

An experienced chiropractor will evaluate the spine of a person as a whole; even if he or she went to the chiropractor complaining of some neck pain. The chiropractor must examine the whole spine since other areas of the spine might be affected.

A chiropractor at Backsmart Health Chiropractic will identify any areas of intervertebral disc injuries, restricted joint motion, ligament injury, and muscle spasm. The chiropractor might decide to use a technique known as motion & static palpation. This is a diagnostic method that involves touch. Also, he or she will feel for tightness, tenderness, and how well the spinal joints are moving.

Apart from the examination of the spine, the chiropractor might also order an MRI or an X-ray of an individual`s spine to determine if there are some degenerative changes which might have existed before the injury.