If you’ve been in a car accident, you may have whiplash, a neck injury that results when your head jerks backward and forward. To schedule an appointment, call or use the convenient online booking tool today.
Whiplash is a neck injury that can result when your neck suddenly and forcefully moves back and forth, stretching and tearing the muscles and tendons.
The condition most commonly affects people who are involved in rear-end car accidents, but there are many other scenarios that can cause a violent back-and-forth neck motion, such as:
The most common symptom of whiplash is neck pain, which can be mild, moderate, or severe. People suffering from whiplash also experience stiffness and a decreased range of motion. You may experience symptoms immediately after an accident, or they may take a few days to appear.
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:
Your chiropractor moves misaligned joints back into place, which encourages healing.
Gentle stretches and pressure targeting the affected area can relieve tension and stiffness.
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.
