Chiropractic Care For Whiplash

Chiropractic Care For Whiplash

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Whiplash is a neck injury caused by rapid back and forward motion from trauma like a car accident. The impact can be acute neck pain and restricted neck movement. The strain causes damage to ligaments, muscles, and tendons that connect tissues to bones. It is crucial to note that whiplash is different from sprain though the treatments are in many cases the same. 

Chiropractic diagnosis of whiplash injury 

Chiropractic care commences with a comprehensive examination and diagnosis to establish the extent of the problem. The evaluation starts with the respective part of the neck to establish the extent of the ligaments, muscles, and bones injuries. However, the Fort Collins chiropractor will extend the diagnosis to other parts of the body that might have suffered.

An expert chiropractor identifies areas where the joint movement is restricted, muscle spasm, ligament injury, and intervertebral disc injuries exist. In many instances, chiropractors use motion and static palpation methods. Every professional chiropractor will feel for tenderness, tightness, and effectiveness of the spinal joints all the way down to the lumbar.  

Your walking posture will be closely analyzed to establish whether the posture and spine alignments has been affected. At this point, an X-RAY or MRI may be used to review degeneration that occurred after a whiplash injury. These images will be used to together with neurological analysis to develop the best treatment plan.

Chiropractic stages of treating whiplash

When a patient suffers from whiplash, the treatment mainly takes two stages;

(i)          This involves the focus on reducing pain immediately after the problem. A chiropractor will focus on reducing inflammation using strategies like ultrasound and manual therapy methods.

(ii)            As inflammation subsides, the chiropractor will use joint adjustment methods and support for some time.

Chiropractic treatment for whiplash 

The treatment for whiplash depends on the extent of the problem. The most common treatment is spinal manipulation. This is offered in the following techniques;

1.      Flexion distraction method

This is a hands-on method that is gentle and non-thrusting on the affected section. It helps to treat herniated disc whether they are painful or not. If the whiplash injury had aggravated bulging of herniated disc, the chiropractor would carefully apply pump action as opposed to using direct force on the spine. This makes less painful and highly effective.

2.      Using instruments for manipulation

If the whiplash was extensive, the chiropractor might opt to use adjusting instruments. The hand-held instruments enable the chiropractor to apply more directional pressure without thrusting the spine. The method is particularly effective in older patients with a higher risk of the degenerative joint syndrome.  

3.      Special spine manipulation

If the chiropractor diagnoses a patient with restricted spinal joints (subluxations), special spine manipulation is the best strategy. The method involves controlled thrust to restore the spinal joints on their proper arrangement. The thrusting helps to align the spinal joints, stretches the soft tissues, and stimulates the nervous system to assist restoring normal joint movements.

In addition to the manipulation techniques, the chiropractor may also use manual therapies that target the soft tissues such as muscles and ligaments. These therapies include;

·         Instrument-assisted soft tissues technique: This involves the application of Graston technique that uses special instruments to treat soft tissues injuries. The chiropractor uses special instruments to stroke the affected areas gently until the soft tissues are restored.

·         Manual stretching and resistance method such as therapeutic massage on the affected part and extending the pressure all the way down to the spine.

·         Trigger point technique: This technique involves the application of direct pressure using hands on hypertonic points to alleviate tension.

·         Inferential electrical stimulation: If whiplash had caused a lot of inflammation, this technique uses low-frequency current to stimulate muscles.

·         Ultrasound: This involves releasing sound waves into the deeper muscle tissues to create heat that raises blood circulation. Ultrasound can help to increase pain, stiffness, and spasms.

When many people are involved in accidents, whiplash rarely manifest itself and could take weeks or months before it is manifested. However, this delay could result in additional complications that risk the spinal cord damage or other damages. It is, therefore, crucial to visit a chiropractor immediately for comprehensive diagnosis.

Chiropractic care is the best method for whiplash because it is faster and natural. You will, therefore, be free from dangers associated with chemicals that are often administered only to reduce pain in the short term.