Your Guide to Whiplash

If you are living with whiplash, you know just how excruciating the pain can be. At Anken Family ChiroCare in Rome, NY, we are here to help you heal as quickly and comfortably as possible. This guide answers some important questions and provides crucial information to help you begin your road to recovery.

What Is Whiplash and What Causes It?

Whiplash is a common condition that most people sustain as a car accident injury. It occurs when the neck is forcefully moved beyond its normal range of motion. It's called whiplash because the head and neck move back and forth like a whip, causing the soft tissues in the neck to tear.

Although it is a common car accident injury, it can occur during other types of physical trauma as well. For example, people who play contact sports often sustain whiplash injuries. Roller coaster rides, severe falls, and physical abuse have all been known to cause it too.

Whiplash Symptoms

One of the most well-known symptoms of whiplash is pain and stiffness in the neck. When the soft tissues tear, it can create a lot of inflammation and tension, making it difficult to move your neck at all. In addition to neck pain and stiffness, whiplash can cause headaches, shoulder pain, fatigue, difficulty focusing, trouble sleeping, tingling and numbness in the arms, blurry vision, irritability, and more.

When to Seek Care for Whiplash

Immediately after an accident, you might not feel any pain. That's because the body is in shock and hasn't yet processed any physical symptoms. It's important that you seek chiropractic attention immediately, even if everything seems fine. A chiropractor can detect issues and begin treatment before they wreak havoc on your life.

This means it's possible to prevent the symptoms or at least reduce them before you even realize they are there. Additionally, the force that causes whiplash can impact more than just your soft tissues. It can injure spinal bones, spinal discs, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. The sooner you seek care, the sooner you know the full impact of your accident.

How a Chiropractor Treats Whiplash

The first step after diagnosing your condition is typically treating the neck's soft tissues. Through various techniques, including massage and therapeutic exercise, the tension and inflammation will decrease, helping to restore your range of motion and decrease your neck pain. Once you can move more comfortably, techniques such as adjustments, spinal decompression, and other chiropractic methods can be used to address any additional symptoms and injuries.

Contact Anken Family ChiroCare in Rome, NY

Let our team at Anken Family ChiroCare help you find the relief you need. Call (315) 337-9240 to schedule an appointment today.