Understanding Whiplash
In the US alone, over two million people experience pain and decreased mobility associated with this type of injury. Many of the patients who come to us at Cenk Integrated Health in Pittsburgh seek relief from the effects of this agonizing disorder. Find out what whiplash is, what makes it so severe, and how chiropractic treatments can help alleviate your pain and restore your movement without resorting to drugs or invasive surgery.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is not a specific type of injury, but it describes how the damage to a person’s joints, nerves, ligaments, or spinal discs occurred. Whiplash can happen when a person’s head makes a sudden and violent movement from front to back or side to side. This whipping motion can result in symptoms that generally begin to show up one or two days later. Some of these symptoms include stiffness and pain, especially when attempting to turn the head, headaches, blurry vision, back pain, numbness in the arms or hands, and ringing in the ears.
Although whiplash is commonly associated with automobile accidents, there are a wide number of other causes for the condition, including trauma suffered during sports, a fall, other violent incidents that produce damage to the soft tissues of the neck.
How Can a Chiropractor Treat Whiplash?
If you think you may have experienced whiplash, stop wasting time. Waiting too long before getting treatment may further worsen your injuries. Remember that even a minor accident can cause severe injuries, especially if you are older or have a preexisting medical issue. Your chiropractor will create personalized treatment protocols to meet your individual needs. These treatment options may include:
- Making spinal adjustments where the chiropractor will locate any misalignments and apply manual techniques to achieve realignment.
- Stretching and stimulation of the muscles to help alleviate tension and stiffness as well as reduce residual pain.
- Using electrical stimulation through low-frequency electrical currents can reduce swelling and help control pain levels.
- Utilizing trigger point therapy helps activate the patient’s nervous system and helps restore proper range of motion.
A full course of treatment for damaged caused by whiplash may take between a few weeks to up to a few months to provide full relief, depending on the severity of the condition.
Is There a Trustworthy Pittsburgh Chiropractor Near Me?
Stop wasting time looking for a chiropractor and visit Cenk Integrated Health in the Fox Chapel neighborhood of Pittsburgh for help. Our experienced team of medical professionals is ready to answer all your questions. Make an appointment today by calling (412) 967-9767!