If you are involved in an accident, keep in mind nothing comes before your health. Your primary focus should be on seeking medical help and address any pain and discomfort. Primarily depending on the symptoms of the injury, a medical professional will recommend you a treatment plan to treat those injuries. One common injury is certainly whiplash and you will want to address it immediately before any more complications occur.
What is Whiplash?
This neck injury occurs when your head abruptly move forward and backward. The injury may also happen when you are playing sports or performing any physically intensive tasks at the workplace. In many cases, the symptoms of whiplash may not appear immediately. However, you may notice neck pain, headache, insomnia, and other associated symptoms after a few days, weeks, or even months. As soon as you are involved in an accident, make sure to consult a professional and get the best-suited treatment possible. Keep in mind, the injury may get worse if proper treatment and care are not obtained. Let’s take a look at some of the facts you may not know before.
Chiropractic Care
When you visit a whiplash chiropractor in Snellville, they will evaluate the injuries using one or more physical diagnostic techniques. They carry out a detailed examination of the spine and neck to identify the root cause of the problem and prevent any further concerns. Once the injuries are identified, they recommend you a treatment plan. They may use ice and heat application to reduce pain in the neck. Gentle manipulations make another common technique to realign the neck and spine in the best possible way.
On the other hand, if you are suffering from slipped disc they are more likely to use deep tissue laser therapy to treat tissue damages. This technique is referred to as spinal decompression. Chiropractors are specialized professionals who help in treating neck and back pain associated with car accidents. Many individuals experience intense stiffness and muscle pain limiting normal mobility and routine activities. If these injuries are not treated on time, this discomfort can eventually become chronic.
After a car accident, some victims experience symptoms of whiplash within few minutes such as intense shoulder pain, headache, blurred vision, reduced range of mobility, etc. The condition may further result in ligament concerns, back injuries, and disc damage. Make sure whiplash treatment should be your foremost priority instead of consulting an accident attorney or bringing your vehicle to the mechanic – well these are the secondary things to do.
Whiplash Treatment
Chiropractors commonly evaluate and treat people who are diagnosed with WAD I, II, and III. Depending on the condition of the patient following a detailed physical examination, they are more likely to recommend manual therapies, lifestyle modifications, modalities, and rehabilitation. The treatment plan is more personalized primarily depending on the patient’s needs and evaluation findings.
Muscle and Soft Tissue Adjustment: The technique is commonly referred to as massage. It’s a great treatment option for whiplash that can be performed both at the clinic or home. Also known as pressure point relief, it’s a great way for pain relief.
Soft Tissue Therapy: The therapy helps in restoring muscles – this includes stretching and resistance workout, specified muscles therapy, and trigger point therapy.
Muscle Stimulation: It involves different stretches exclusively for treating whiplash. The technique focuses on easing contracted muscles in a more accurate and controlled manner.
McKenzie Exercise: A chiropractor may recommend McKenzie exercises – these are low energy exercises allowing you to stretch out the muscles. You can perform these exercises safely right from the comfort of your home.
Acupuncture: Many people have reported the benefits of acupuncture. The technique is performed by positioning thin needles across different parts of the body. When performed by a professional acupuncturist, it’s a safe treatment option and you may hardly feel any pain.
Physical Therapy
When we talk about physical therapy, you will come across numerous benefits and one is certainly treating whiplash. If you are experiencing consistent whiplash pain or require any help, consulting a physical therapist can make a difference. Physical therapy sessions include a range of mobility exercises. Not only you will feel better but prevent any further injury as well. Your physical therapist will provide you the required guidance through hands-on exercises. These workout exercises focus on strengthening the muscles, restore movement and enhance body posture.
In certain cases, they may also recommend transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). The technique involves a mild electric current penetrated through the skin. The treatment is beneficial in easing neck pain and improving muscle strength. The required number of physical therapy sessions differs from one individual to another. You will receive a personalized exercise routine plan that can be conveniently performed at home.
Wrapping Up
It is no surprise that whiplash is a terrifying experience. Apart from affecting your neck, it may result in other painful conditions as well. The symptoms vary depending on different factors such as age, existing health condition, injury, etc. The symptoms can range from mild to severe. In most cases, the condition results in mild muscle strains and ligament sprains that can be recovered within few weeks if proper care is taken.
On the other hand, some cases can last up to several months or even longer. This long-term condition is more or less associated with the initial symptoms. Also, there are other treatment options available to improve both your physical and psychological health. For any queries regarding whiplash and associated conditions, feel free to write to us in the comment section below.
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