Treating Whiplash With Chiropractic Care

Chiropractor

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries in car accidents and also one of the most commonly overlooked. That’s because the symptoms of whiplash don’t become obvious days or weeks after the accident. Car accident victims might not feel any pain for a while and think that they’re perfectly alright. However, if left untreated for too long, whiplash can become worse. It’s in your best interest to see a chiropractor about the injury as soon as possible.

How Whiplash Occurs in a Car Accident

If you are in a car accident, you could suffer whiplash if your head moves back and forth suddenly with a lot of force. While this injury can occur in all car accidents, it’s most commonly seen in rear-end collisions. The injury is accompanied by neck pain and stiffness, dizziness, blurred vision, and headaches.

How a Chiropractor Diagnoses Whiplash

During your first chiropractic session, a chiropractor will evaluate your entire spine for trauma. Even if you just have neck pain, other sections of your spine might have been affected in the accident. He or she will look for restricted movement and injury by touching the areas. The chiropractor may also assess how you walk around and look for any irregularities in your posture.

How a Chiropractor Treats Whiplash

There are a variety of chiropractic treatment options for whiplash. The method your chiropractor chooses will depend on how severe your injury is. Here are some common treatments for whiplash:

• Specific Spinal Manipulation: During this therapy, a chiropractor will use a thrusting technique to restore mobility and function in your spine. The thrusting motion is very gentle and can stretch the soft tissues in the spine.

• Heat and Cold Therapy: A chiropractor may alternate using heat and ice to treat whiplash. The cold numbs the pain while the heat reduces inflammation.

• Instrument-Assisted Manipulation: With this treatment, a chiropractor will use a hand-held instrument to apply pressure into the spine.

• Massage: A chiropractor may give your neck a deep massage to help loosen up the stiffness.

• Trigger Point Therapy: In this therapy, a chiropractor will find tight and painful points in your muscles and apply direct pressure with his or her fingers to relieve the tension.
   

No matter what type of treatment your chiropractor chooses for your whiplash, he or she will focus on your entire body and treat the root cause of the issue. Your chiropractor may also recommend that you do specific exercises at home to treat the issue.

Seeking Compensation for Whiplash

If you suffered whiplash in a car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. That compensation may be used to pay for chiropractic sessions and any other medical treatments you had to undergo for the whiplash. It’s important to schedule a consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Chicago, IL right away to discuss your options. He or she will review your case for free and advise you the best way to proceed.

Thank you to our friends and contributors at The Law Offices of Konrad Sherinian, LLC for their insight into car accidents and chiropractic care for whiplash.