Can I see a Chiropractor for whiplash treatment?
Chiropractic treatment for whiplashinjuries in Eugene OR is a great option for managing thesetypes of injuries. It is estimated that around 3 million Americans sustain whiplash injuries each year and more and more are turning to chiropractic care due to its comprehensive approach and effectiveness. Whiplash treatment, needs to address not only the acute symptoms butalso needs to focus on optimizing spinal and muscular function tofacilitate healthy healing patterns and to prevent chronic residuals. Unfortunately, around 1.5 million Americans suffer chronic pain from whiplash injuries and much of this can be reduced with appropriate care. Additionally, about 300,000 Americans become disabled due to the pain of whiplash.
Your anatomy and Whiplash
Your neck is composed of 7 bones called vertebra which are separated by a disc in-between for cushioning. Your neck is inherently mobile and relies on the muscle and ligamentous for support and stabilization. “Whiplash” is a term used to describe what happens to the muscles, ligaments, discs and nerves in our neck when they become over stretched beyond their normal capacity, due to a sudden and often unexpended force that stretches our tissues beyond their normal capacity. Common causes of whiplash:
Automobile accident, falling, sports injury, physical abuse/ assault
Factors that increase severity of whiplash:
Mal-positioned head rest, poor road conditions, having your head rotated at time of impact, being unaware of impending collision, age, previous injury of neck.
Common whiplash symptoms:
Headache, neck pain, jaw pain, shoulder pain, low back pain, pain in your arm or hand, numbness or tingling into arms/ legs, ringing in ears, blurred vision, dizziness, concentration or memory problems, irritability, sleeplessness, depression.
How our Eugene chiropractors can help you:
Our team of Eugene chiropractors are expertly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of whiplash injury disorders. During the initial visit, our chiropractors will perform a thorough examination and history, which may include x-rays if indicated. We will give you a report of findings explaining your diagnosis and options for care. Treatment commonly consists of chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, rehabilitation and strengthening exercises, and laser therapy.
Don’t wait to be evaluated:
More than half of those who have experienced a whiplash injury will experience pain over a year after their auto accident. Much of this can be prevented with proper treatment. It is important to have a healthcare professional evaluate your injuries even if your pain symptoms are minimal.
FAQs
Our Eugene chiropractors are expertly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of whiplash related disorders. The primary focus when treating whiplash is to reduce pain & spasm, while integrating rehabilitation exercises to promote proper healing and resiliency long term.
The duration of a whiplash injury is variable from person to person and depends on a variety of factors such as the severity of the accident, age, body size, type of vehicles involved, direction your head was at the moment of impact, prior injuries to the area, etc. The recovery period can last from several weeks to several months with most resolving within 3 months.
Even if your symptoms are mild in nature, you should still have your whiplash injury evaluated by a professional. Some possible long-term effects of an untreated whiplash injury are neck and upper back pain, lower back pain, reduced range of motion, altered spinal curvature, degenerative arthritis, and a decreased ability to partake in the activities you love.