Each and every year, approximately 2 million people undergo a whiplash type injury. In these cases, the chiropractic care can be beneficial. A Chiropractor can help assist patients with both the short and extended effects of whiplash associated accidental injuries. Before we consider the various unique advantages offered by Chiropractic care in the whiplash treatment, let’s discuss what exactly a whiplash injury is.

 

What is a whiplash?

 

The name “whiplash” isn’t a medical term at all. Rather the definition of “whiplash” is a non-medical term mostly used to describe a sprain and strain injury to the soft tissues of your neck.

 

Whiplash is usually associated with an automobile accident, but it may appear in many other instances. Whiplash may also be caused by things such as a fall, or an impact or collision in a sporting event or recreational exercise. Some examples are a fall from a horse, a collision in basketball, or an impact experienced in basketball, boxing, or hockey.

 

Whiplash is considered an acceleration-deceleration type injury and occurs once the cervical spine, or neck, is abruptly forced to stretch out and move beyond its normal range of motion. This typically involves the neck suddenly extending backward than flexing forward beyond the normal anatomical range of motion. This results in an overload injury due to excessive forces being placed in the cervical spine.

 

If the initial injury weren’t bad enough, the response of the human body post injury can further complicate matters. After the injured muscles close to the area respond to by means of contracting in spasm to splint and stabilize the area. This limits movement of the head and neck and is the body’s well intentioned efforts to prevent movement and further injury. Essentially the body attempts to create its own soft collar to limit motion on the head and neck. Unfortunately, this tends to eventually lead to chronic ache, inflammation, stiffness and loss of range of motion.

 

What are many of the symptoms of whiplash? The headache can be a frequent symptom of a cervical strain. In addition to headaches along with neck pain, other symptoms of whiplash may include:

 

1. Neck stiffness
2. Shoulder pain
3. Back Soreness
4. Changes in vision
5. Dizziness
6. Abnormal sensations in the neck, hands and arms

 

Dr. Amit offers a wide variety of Chiropractic treatment techniques and therapies to assist patients with headaches, neck pain, back pain and many other conditions. Bowmanville Chiropractic and Wellness Center also serves patients in the surrounding areas in Canada.