If you were in a car accident and sustained a whiplash injury, then you know how debilitating it can be. Whiplash injuries not only cause severe pain, but they can also cause diminished range-of-motion and inflammation of the structures of your neck and back.
If you are in pain because of a whiplash injury, make an appointment with a chiropractor to learn about the auto accident treatment option best suited for you. Here are some interventions your chiropractic physician may suggest:
Ice And Neck Stabilization
In the early stages of your whiplash injury, you may be tempted to soothe your pain with a heating pad. While heat may help in the later stages of a whiplash injury, it may actually make your pain worse when your injury is new.
It is for this reason that your chiropractor will suggest that you apply ice to the affected area to help relieve inflammation. In addition to icing the area, a neck brace or soft collar may be recommended to stabilize your neck so excessive movement is avoided.
These interventions will greatly reduce your pain so that your chiropractor can then proceed with a more advanced auto accident treatment option. It is important to note, that while ice helps relieve pain and inflammation, never apply it directly to your skin because tissue damage or even frostbite can develop.
Spinal Manipulation Therapy
Your chiropractor will make sure that the ice therapy and neck stabilization treatments have been helpful in reducing your pain before he or she recommends spinal manipulation therapy. This treatment involves restoring joint mobility with manual techniques and movements to facilitate soft tissue mobility and optimal circulation.
When blood flow and circulation has been optimized, inflammation and pain decrease. It is important to note, however, that if your chiropractor suspects that you have neurological damage as a result of your car accident, he or she may forego your spinal manipulation treatment and refer you to a neurologist for further evaluation and treatment.
While you are waiting for your neurology consult, your chiropractor may recommend that you take certain dietary supplements that may help ease your pain. These include magnesium, omega 3-fatty acids, vitamin B-6, and vitamin C. Be sure to tell your doctor which medications you currently take because certain medications can interact with dietary supplements.
If you are involved in a car accident and experience severe neck pain, seek emergency medical care. After it has been determined that you have not sustained a major neck fracture or other life-threatening condition, make an appointment with your chiropractor. He or she will recommend an effective auto accident treatment plan to help you feel better as quickly as possible.
Share29 March 2019
One day, in the middle of helping my kids to clean up the house, I lifted a box weird and threw out my back. It was frustrating, but I assumed that it would go away on its own. I was wrong. After trying everything I could think of to resolve the problem, my back still hurt and I couldn't stand up straight. After a week of suffering, I made the decision to meet with a chiropractor. He inspected my back, took x-rays, and figured out that I had slipped a disc. I started a grueling physical therapy routine, but after a few days, things started to improve. Read this blog to learn more about chiropractors.
