Conditions We Treat – Whiplash

To get the most from your session and help to coordinate your whiplash pain relief therapy, think about these questions before your appointment. You may want to write down your answers so you don’t forget anything during your session. Ask yourself:

• Was there a specific event that caused the injury?
• How soon after the event did you start feeling pain or discomfort?
• Where is your pain on a scale of 1 to 10?
• Is the pain constant or sharp?
• Does your pain increase when you move?
• Is the pain keeping you awake or waking you at night?
• Is there a reduction in the range of motion or flexibility?
• What treatments or medications have you tried?
• Did those therapies work?
• Do you have any other concerns or symptoms?

Whiplash ranges in severity. Many cases of whiplash are minor and resolve within a few days on their own. However, even if you have mild neck pain following an accident, you should seek medical attention to make sure you haven’t actually sustained any larger injuries.

If your symptoms persist for more than a few days, even after icing the area or taking over-the-counter painkillers, or if you have a limited range of motion, you may benefit from treatment.

Chiropractic can help relieve the pain associated with whiplash and restore full function and range of motion in your neck.

Your provider at Oak Brook Medical Group addresses whiplash by first performing a full chiropractic exam to identify any issues that may be affecting other parts of your spine besides your neck. They also ask about your symptoms, which helps to determine the appropriate treatment.

While each case of whiplash is different and treatments vary, common chiropractic approaches include:

Chiropractic adjustments
Your chiropractor moves misaligned joints back into place, which encourages healing.

Muscle stimulation
Gentle stretches and pressure targeting the affected area can relieve tension and stiffness.

McKenzie exercises
Your chiropractor teaches you exercises to help relieve neck pain and gradually improve your neck’s range of motion.

If you’ve experienced whiplash, call Oak Brook Medical Group or book an appointment online today.

The symptoms can be nothing short of exhausting when it comes to whiplash injuries. When not addressed, the repercussions can affect your daily routine and cause chronic pain that feels never-ending. The most frequently occurring whiplash symptoms include:

• Neck stiffness and pain
• Headaches
• Shoulder pain
• Back pain
• Muscle spasms
• Numbness or tingling in the arms or hands
• Extreme fatigue
• Vertigo or dizziness

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms after a traumatic event, contact the whiplash injury specialists at Oak Brook Medical Group.

Getting diagnosed with whiplash is a straightforward process that begins with a thorough physical examination and a review of your past medical history. During this examination, your healthcare provider will assess your range of motion, reflexes, muscle power, and sensation, all while checking for any areas of tenderness, swelling, or abnormal neck movement.

Sometimes, imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans may be required to identify any underlying injuries to your spine or neck muscles. If you’ve recently been involved in an accident causing injury to the head or neck, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider and have your whiplash treated as soon as possible.

The recovery period for whiplash varies according to the severity of the injury and the individual’s overall health. You might start feeling better within a few days or a few weeks if it’s a mild case. However, in a severe case, it could take several months for you to fully recover.

Although it is impossible to eliminate the risk of whiplash, there are ways to reduce your chances of sustaining a neck injury. For example, always wear a seatbelt when riding in a vehicle and adjust your headrest to the correct height. You can also try to avoid high-risk activities.

Sometimes, whiplash can lead to ongoing issues like chronic neck pain, headaches, and difficulty moving your head. Getting treatment as soon as possible is important to avoid these complications.

While anyone can get whiplash, it’s often associated with car accidents, particularly rear-end collisions. Therefore, those who spend more time in a car have a higher chance of being in an accident. People who play contact sports like football and boxing are also at higher risk.

Surgery is usually not necessary to treat whiplash and is only considered in severe cases where there is spinal cord or nerve root damage. Most cases of whiplash can be successfully treated with non-surgical methods.

Physical therapy can help improve the range of motion, reduce severe pain, reduce muscle spasms, and strengthen the neck muscles. In addition, it can also help alleviate whiplash-associated disorders such as headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. A physical therapist might use exercises, manual therapy, stretching, and other techniques, such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), to help whiplash patients recover.

A cervical collar, or a neck brace, can reduce pain by supporting the neck muscles and restricting movement. Nevertheless, it’s important to remember that a cervical collar should only be worn briefly and under the supervision of a healthcare provider.