Chiropractic is a proven safe, effective and non-invasive method of treating whiplash, related pain and restricted range of motion.

What is Whiplash?

Whiplash (or neck strain/neck sprain) is simply the non-medical term people commonly use to describe neck pain that follows an injury to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissues of the neck. It’s more technical medical names include “soft tissue cervical hyperextension injury” and “acceleration deceleration flexion-extension neck injury”.

When whiplash occurs, the neck (comprised of 17 joints) is caused to move beyond its typical range of motion, which is responsible for the related damage and pain that results. Damage can potentially occur to the nerve roots, the cervical muscles, and to the joints between the vertebrae, ligaments, and discs.

If you feel that you may have suffered whiplash, it is imperative that you have that checked out by a doctor.  Our chiropractic physicians and our staff at Ravenswood Chiropractic & Wellness Center are well trained and experienced in dealing with such trauma’s.

Causes of Whiplash

Whiplash is caused by excessive force or other unusual motion applied to the neck that results in the joint moving past its regular range of motion—typically jerking suddenly and sharply forward or back (hyper-extension snd hyper-flexion).

Whiplash can be caused by any number of injuries, including those sustained during a car accident, sporting activities and accidental falls.

Symptoms of Whiplash

Symptoms of whiplash can take as long as 2 days (or longer) after the initial injury to manifest.

The two most prominent symptoms of whiplash are pain and stiffness in the neck and restricted range of motion. Redness and swelling may also occur, along with one or more of the following:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Problems with memory
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Blurred vision
• Ringing in the ears
• Fatigue
• Trouble sleeping
• Irritability
• Shoulder pain
• Low back pain
• Numbness or pain in the arm or hand

Chiropractic for Whiplash

During your first visit, your chiropractic physician will discuss your symptoms with you, review your medical history, and conduct an examination. As whiplash cannot be detected by x-rays, the doctor may sometimes recommend a CT scan or an MRI.

If diagnosed with whiplash, the doctor will design a treatment program specific to you that may employ any of the following techniques: heat or ice, ultrasound, massage, traction, gentle exercises, and physiotherapy.

In years past, whiplash used to be treated by immobilizing the joint with a cervical collar, but these days it is more common to incorporate gentle, early, active movement following a period of ice therapy.

Whiplash is unlikely to heal properly and completely on its own without a doctors supervision, and in fact a patient could worsen the problem by unknowingly treating it improperly themselves or continue to experience pain for several years.

Though the pain from whiplash can often be relieved in a matter of days, it can take a person as long as 3 months to recover from whiplash fully.

If you suspect you have a whiplash injury call our office today and schedule an examination with one of our expert chiropractic physicians at (773) 878-7330.