Chiropractic Treatment For Whiplash Injuries
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in an auto accident in Atlanta, the chances of you suffering from Whiplash injury are severe.
Whenever your body is exposed to a sudden impact that causes your neck to jerk from one side to the other, either from falling or some physical activity, your cervical spine can be pushed beyond its limits.
When this happens, your neck and the tendons that surround it restrict, creating severe stiffness that can be extremely painful and immobilizing.
If you hurt your neck in a car accident and believe you have Whiplash, contact our Atlanta Chiropractors for immediate treatment.
Just dial (404) 889-8828 to schedule a free consultation today.
Whiplash Injury and Auto Accidents
Known in the medical community as Cervical Acceleration Deceleration, the most common cause of Whiplash injury is directly connected to some auto accident.
This is because you’re almost guaranteed to have your neck violently forced in one direction during a side, rear-end, or a head-on collision. While speed certainly plays a role in the extent of your injury, it’s important to know that driving as slow as 15 miles per hour can still produce enough of an impact to cause severe neck injury for drivers and passengers alike.
Whiplash is the most common type of personal injury case associated with auto accidents in the United States. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, one car accident takes place approximately every ten seconds, resulting in over 2 million injuries each year, most of which are documented as Whiplash.
Other Unknown Whiplash Facts
- If your car’s headrest is too low or positioned at an inappropriate height that’s more than 2 inches from the head, your chances of experiencing Whiplash increases by 30 percent.
- Your age can play a part in your chances of suffering Whiplash. Your ligaments and muscles become less pliable and weaker over time, causing your body to become less flexible as it gets older. When your body’s limitation become restricted over time, your chances of pulling, straining or tearing something increases.
- More women and children suffer from Whiplash injury than men because both demographics tend to be smaller and shorter than men. Because of this physical attribute, women and children tend to sit too close to the steering wheel or airbag, as well as wear their seatbelts incorrectly.
- Most insurance policies will cover the entire cost of Chiropractic care if you’re involved in some auto accident.
Causes of Whiplash Injuries in Atlanta
The most common cause of car accidents is simply negligence on behalf of the drivers involved.
Talking on a cell phone, texting a friend, and speeding is just a few of the ways that drivers can be classified as being negligent behind the steering wheel.
How To Prevent Whiplash with Chiropractic Care
There are a few approachable steps that everyone can take to reduce their chances of suffering from Whiplash injury.
These steps include:
- Consistently using your seatbelt when driving
- Adjusting your car seat’s headrest to a position that allows your neck to rest comfortably in a controlled state
- Following all instructions connected to the use of safety and sports equipment
- Staying completely strapped into your harness equipment at amusement parks
Symptoms Connected To Whiplash Injuries
For most accident victims who suffer from Whiplash, patients tend to notice the first signs and associated symptoms within the first 24 hours of the injury initially taking place.
If you see any of the following symptoms, make sure you call us right away to schedule a direct examination.
While it may not be convenient, your chances of developing long-term pain or permanently damaging yourself significantly increase the longer you go without professional medical treatment.
- Fatigue
- Numbness
- Frequent headaches
- Severe neck pain
- Significant stiffness
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Ringing noises in your ear(s)
- Shoulder pain
- Back Pain
- Tenderness
Whiplash Treatment and Chiropractic Care
Meeting with a licensed Chiropractor should be the first thing you do after calling the police and an attorney when getting into an auto or slip-and-fall accident.
Scheduling a direct examination is the best way to resolve any immediate pain you may experience, as well as ensure that the chances of you experiencing some relapse or permanent damage are completely removed.
For most of our patients, the following methods serve as effective treatment methods for addressing short and long-term pain.
Heat Therapy
Applying most heat to your neck can be an excellent way to reduce any swelling that may occur within the first few days after your accident.
Feel to place warm, damp towels around your neck or soak in a hot bath to loosen up the restricted tendons and muscles.
Using A Collar or Neck Brace
If your Chiropractor recommends it, you may want to use a neck brace to keep your neck regularly supported and fixed in an upward position.
Make sure it use it sparingly, though, as it can cause your muscles to weaken over time.
Spinal Manipulation
Considered to be the most popular or widely-used forms of Chiropractic Treatment, spinal manipulation, muscle relaxation or stimulation consists of controlled stretches that are applied to your damaged or injured muscles.
Depending on how restricted or tight your muscles are, your Chiropractor may choose to use a more active approach when using various stretches.
Your Atlanta Chiropractor may also simultaneously apply pressure techniques, gently massaging areas that are most sensitive with their fingers.
Sensorimotor and Stabilization Exercises
Some of our Whiplash patients are prescribed what are known as McKenzie exercises, which are designed to reduce disc derangement connected to this particular type of injury.
These activities are comprised of simple, controlled motions that are offered during your office first few visits with us, and then applied to yourself when at home.
Our Chiropractors also use a variety of different techniques like McKenzie exercises and other stabilization and sensorimotor activities to help treat patients with Whiplash injuries.
Sensorimotor and stabilization exercises focus on correcting faulty movement patterns that naturally occur during everyday routines or activities.
These Chiropractic Treatment methods help restrengthen your nervous system in ways that help it coordinate and control movement, as well as help your neck support its weight.
Massage and Controlled Stretching
Receiving a professional massage or having controlled stretches applied and monitored by your Chiropractor can also help loosen the restricted muscles in your body.
Over time, massages are known to significantly help improve and restore functionality to the affected joints and muscles in your body.
Resting
During the initial phase of your treatment program, it is important that you receive a substantial amount of relative rest to prevent you from aggravating your injury and causing painful inflammation.
Your Atlanta Chiropractor may recommend swimming or other low-impact aerobic exercises to keep you active, without exposing yourself to possible damage.
Schedule A Chiropractic Examination With AICA Atlanta
Our Atlanta Chiropractors are your first line of defense against long-term pain and permanent damage associated with Whiplash Injuries.
If left untreated, Whiplash can significantly restrict your ability to go about your routine, including maintaining your career and providing for your family.
Even if you do not develop some immobilizing condition, you will still experience recurring pain that varies in its extent and severity. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are happy to answer any questions you may have.
Our team of professional, friendly staff can help you work with your insurance provider, walk you through all necessary paperwork, and even call your insurance company on your behalf if necessary.
Our facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art X-ray and MRI machines if necessary, and all of our Chiropractors come to AICA with years of experience. If you are unable to drive to our Chiropractic clinic in Atlanta, we can provide you with transportation when requested.
You can schedule an examination by calling us at (404) 889-8828