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Chiropractic treatment for whiplash injuries

Chiropractic treatment for whiplash injuries is consists of patient involvement, compliance and rehabilitation are important components of a successful treatment program. Because the main focus of chiropractic treatment is the rehabilitation of the soft tissues involved in the injury and optimizing function, chiropractors have experienced success in treating whiplash.

Chiropractic care addresses the cause of these whiplash symptoms in a natural and non-invasive manner. Chiropractors' skill and techniques are focused on relieving neck pain and other effects of whiplash, which can be debilitating and painful. Chiropractic treatments can consist of a variety of spinal adjustments. When these are performed, they may effectively reduce symptoms by decreasing pain levels, muscle spasms and inflammation. The treatment can also help with the restoration of movement lost after an accident. Another goal is to prevent or minimize degenerative processes, as well as to reduce the possibility of chronic symptoms.

Common therapies include ice and heat therapies, soft tissue mobilization, spinal exercises and stretches, nutritional supplementation, as well as physiological therapies such as ultrasound and electrical muscle stimulation.

• Duration of treatment
• Recurrence of whiplash injuries
• Numbness, shooting pains and tingling

Duration of treatment

As with any injury, there will be a number of factors that influence the duration of treatment for whiplash. The severity of the injury, the length of time between the injury between sustained and the injury being initiated, how well the patient adheres to the treatment plan and the size and strength of the cervical musculature may all play a role.

Immediate care following an accident is the most effective way to eliminate pain and prevent residual and chronic problems. The longer the wait to start treatment, the greater the chance of developing a chronic condition and the more difficult that becomes to manage.

Recurrence of whiplash injuries

Timely evaluation and appropriate treatment are the key factors in determining the prognosis of the patient. Studies suggest that whiplash victims will have a poor prognosis if they fail to seek treatment immediately. Some basic whiplash injuries can last for as long as six months after the accident. Almost all experts agree that prompt evaluation and treatment can improve a patient's prognosis.

 

Numbness, shooting pains and tingling

Arm, hand and leg pain as well as numbness and tingling, can indicate a very serious injury requiring immediate medical attention. These can be the first signs of serious nerve, spinal cord, disk and/or neurological injury. In the event of the onset of such symptoms, it is best to consult immediately with an orthopedic doctor, a neurologist, or a neurosurgeon. Many chiropractors have relationships with such doctors, or general primary care physicians, and might be able to refer you.