Whiplash

What causes whiplash?

Whiplash often occurs due to a car accident. When your vehicle is struck from behind, the impact causes your head and neck to be thrust backward as the force pushes your torso forward. 

Your head is then thrown immediately in the opposite direction. The force causes damage to tissue in the upper spine and neck. You can develop an abnormal shape in the cervical spine and damage the connective tissue and muscles that hold your cervical vertebrae in the neck together.

Other potential causes of whiplash include accidents incurred while horseback riding, riding a bike, or during some other sport.

How do I know if I have whiplash?

After the traumatic event, you may have immediate symptoms of whiplash, including neck stiffness and pain, as well as a limited range of motion. In many cases, however, you won’t notice whiplash symptoms for a day or two. Other symptoms associated with whiplash include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Ringing in the ears
• Sleep disturbances
• Fatigue
• Chronic pain in your head, neck, or shoulders

Whiplash can even cause irritability, depression, and memory or concentration problems.

Why is it important to have whiplash treated?

When not treated, whiplash can lead to chronic problems, such as lingering pain and headaches. Dr. Hoyt and the team at Casa Grande Chiropractic work together to promote healing of your damaged neck discs and ligaments to prevent long-term pain. Plus, you’ll get to feeling better sooner — and who doesn’t want that? 

How is whiplash treated?

After learning about your symptoms and how your whiplash occurred, Dr. Hoyt carefully examines your neck, as well as your back, head, shoulders, and arms. He evaluates your range of motion, how much movement you can tolerate, overall strength, and sensation. If needed, he takes an in-office X-ray.

Your treatment plan initially focuses on easing your pain, reducing inflammation, and supporting healing. Then, as your symptoms improve, Dr. Hoyt adds additional therapies designed to rebuild strength and restore the full range of motion.

When treating whiplash, Dr. Hoyt uses gentle techniques that are safe for the delicate and injured structures in your neck. A few examples include:

• Cervical mobilization
• Manual stretching and traction
• Cervical Thompson drop techniques
• McKenzie exercises
• Electrical nerve stimulation
• Therapeutic ultrasound
• Therapeutic massage
• Physical therapy
• Trigger point therapy

If you suffered an injury that caused whiplash, don’t just hope it goes away on its own. Get treatment by calling Casa Grande Chiropractic or requesting an appointment online today.