| 1888 Articles Home | Health Articles | Alternative Articles | Massage Therapy Articles | Alternative RSS |  |
||
Chiropractic Care and Whiplash Injuries |
||||
|
Whiplash is a pain in the neck, both literally and figuratively. It effects around 2 million Americans each year. In this article Rocky River, Ohio Chiropractor Dr. Laura Vernallis shares her knowledge to explain what whiplash is, what causes it, and just what Chiropractic care can do to help. |
||||||||||||
| Author: Dr Laura Vernallis |
|
|||||||||||
Rocky River, Ohio Chiropractor Dr. Laura Vernallis, D.C. explains what Whiplash is and how Chiropractic care can benefit patients suffering with it.
What exactly is whiplash? The name “whiplash” isn’t an official medical term at all. Instead the term is a non-medical word frequently used to describe a sprain/strain injury to the soft tissues of the neck. Whiplash is classified as an acceleration-deceleration injury and it typically occurs when the neck is abruptly forced to flex and extend beyond its normal range of motion. This causes an overload injury in the soft tissues of the neck due to excessive forces being placed on the cervical spine. The initial injury is actually tearing of muscle and ligament fibers within the cervical spine. Although it is mainly an injury involving the muscles and ligaments of the neck, whiplash may also injure the intervertebral joints, discs, and nerve roots. As with any traumatic injury, the degree of injury can range from minor to severe.
If the initial injury weren’t bad enough, the response of the human body after injury can further complicate things. After the injury muscles around the area respond by contracting in spasm. This is the human body’s well intentioned effort to splint and stabilize the area to prevent movement of the neck and further injury. Unfortunately this process, if left unchecked, can eventually lead to chronic stiffness, pain, swelling, and loss of range of motion.
Whiplash is commonly associated with an automobile accident, but it does occur in many other instances. It can also be caused by other impacts such as from a fall or a collision in a sporting event. Typical examples might be a fall from a ladder, a collision in football, or an impact experienced in basketball, boxing, or hockey.
Now that we know what whiplash is and what causes it, let’s examine some common symptoms. Headaches and neck pain are obvious and common complaints in a patient with cervical strain. In addition to headaches and neck pain, other symptoms of whiplash may also include:
• Dizziness
• Changes in vision
• Neck stiffness
• Shoulder pain
• Back Pain
• Abnormal sensations in the neck, hands and arms (such as pins and needles, burning, numbness, or tingling)
It is important to note symptoms are not always an accurate indication of whether or not a patient has whiplash. Whiplash isn’t always obvious and easy to diagnose at the time of injury. Many victims of whiplash related injuries fail to consult with a health care provider after an accident because they don’t immediately have neck pain. This can be a costly mistake. Symptoms of a cervical sprain and strain can take time to manifest themselves. Generally speaking, the onset of symptoms is directly relates to the severity of the injury. A severe case of whiplash injury may cause pain and symptoms immediately or within hours. In a more mild case of whiplash symptoms may not occur for weeks or months. However the chronic long term effects of even a mild whiplash case can be significant later in life if left untreated.
Another common problem is whiplash patients falsely believe that a high speed and great deal of force are needed to cause a whiplash type injury. Many victims of an automobile accident do not seek medical or chiropractic care afterwards because their accident occurred at a low speed. There is a widely held misconception within the general public that a high speed impact is needed to cause whiplash. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Studies have shown the soft tissues in the cervical spine have an injury threshold of around 5 mph. Simply put, an impact of 5 mph or greater can theoretically cause damage to the soft tissues of the neck.
Speed and force are just two factors involved in a the development of a cervical spine injury. The likelihood of developing whiplash in an automobile accident depends on a multitude of of other factors. Some other variables include the position of the head and neck at the time of impact, the position of vehicle headrests, whether or not a seatbelt was worn, the direction of impact and whether or not the vehicle occupants saw the impact coming are just some of the additional factors involved.
It should now go without saying, any impact or collision should be taken seriously. A victim of a car accident, a fall, a collision, or any other impact would be wise to get examined by a healthcare provider as soon as possible afterward, even if no symptoms are present. A Chiropractor is a great choice.
Few health care providers are as familiar with the anatomy of the cervical spine or as well equipped to address the musculoskeletal effects of whiplash as a Doctor of Chiropractic. Chiropractors receive extensive training in the anatomy and normal structure and function of the cervical spine. They are also well equipped to treat both the acute and long term effects of whiplash injury. Let’s examine what Chiropractic can offer to patients suffering with whiplash injury.
Chiropractic care can be extremely beneficial to a patient in the acute stage of a whiplash injury. During the acute, or early, stage of whiplash a Chiropractor will focus on controlling and minimizing pain, inflammation, spasm and other symptoms. At this point in patient care a Doctor of Chiropractic focuses on gentle treatment. Application of ice and cold therapy to control swelling and inflammation and to help alleviate pain is a common treatment protocol. A Chiropractor may also use special forms of adjunctive therapy such as electric muscle stimulation and therapeutic ultrasound to relax muscles and help reduce pain. Cold laser therapy, acupuncture, trigger point therapy, massage therapy, gentle stretching and joint mobilization techniques are also very common early treatment techniques used by many Doctors of Chiropractic.
As the injury begins to heal, whiplash symptoms often progress from pain to stiffness and inflexibility. Now that the injury is less acute and there is less pain a Chiropractor can usually begin more intense forms of treatment and therapy. These treatment options will include things such as chiropractic adjustments to restore proper spinal alignment and nerve function, along with a program of prescribed stretches and strengthening exercises. As you progress from the acute phase of care a Doctor of Chiropractic will begin to focus on correction, flexibility, and prevention of future injury.
What makes Chiropractic care different from conventional medical care? Conventional medical care typically focuses on quick alleviation of pain and symptoms. This is usually done primarily through the use of prescribed drugs and medication. While reducing or eliminating pain and symptoms is certainly important, it is only part of the clinical picture. Stopping with care after symptoms have subsided is actually a disservice to the patient. The long term effects of injury, rehabilitation, and prevention of future injury are all areas that need to be addressed with the patient as well. The focus of Chiropractic care extends well beyond the treatment of pain and symptoms.
A Doctor of Chiropractic works with patients long after acute symptoms have subsided. In addition to symptoms, a Chiropractor is also concerned with treating a patient’s posture, spinal alignment, abnormal spinal biomechanics, and overall health and wellness. After a whiplash injury has healed a Doctor of Chiropractic can continue to offer a great deal of benefit to the patient. A Chiropractor provides a patient with ergonomic advice, home exercises and specific stretching and strengthening program to restore normal range of motion and to help prevent injury in the future.
Another great benefit of Chiropractic care for whiplash patients is the fact that a Doctor of Chiropractic is trained to evaluate and treat the entire spine. The spinal column is one large kinetic chain of muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, nerves, vasculature and more. It is made up of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. The effects of forces and impacts exerted to one area of the spine are not isolated to that single area. Injuries to the neck can, and do, impact the middle back and low back areas as well. The ability to examine and treat the entire spine is yet another benefit unique to a Doctor of Chiropractic.
One last benefit offered by Chiropractic care is the fact that Chiropractors are educated to recognize how spinal misalignment can affect the overall health and wellness of a patient. A Doctor of Chiropractic views injury and the human body from a different perspective than most of the traditional medical community. Chiropractors also recognize the unique limitations and advantages of each health care profession and will refer to, and work in cooperation with, medical providers as needed.
In conclusion, whiplash injuries are a common within American society. Research has shown Chiropractic care to be effective in the treatment of pain and the musculoskeletal effects of whiplash. The modern Doctor of Chiropractic is armed with the knowledge, tools, and skills needed to address cervical spinal dysfunction and the other related effects of whiplash injuries. If you or a loved one may suffer from whiplash, be sure to seek the advice of a qualified health care provider as soon as possible. When making the decision of what type of provider to see, remember a Doctor of Chiropractic just might be the ideal choice!
About Author
Dr. Laura Vernallis practices with her husband at River Chiropractic Wellness Center in Rocky River, Ohio. She's a 2002 graduate of the esteemed Palmer College of Chiropractic, known as the Fountainhead of the Chiropractic profession.
Dr. Laura and Bradley Vernallis offer a wide variety of Chiropractic treatment techniques and therapies to assist patients with whiplash, headaches, neck pain, back pain and many other conditions. In addition to the Rocky River, Ohio community, River Chiropractic and Wellness Center also serves patients in the surrounding areas of Lakewood, Cleveland, Westlake and Fairview Park.
For more information about whiplash, Dr. Vernallis, or Chiropractic care in general visit the River Chiropractic & Wellness Center website at:
http://www.RiverChiro.com.
Dr. Laura can also be contacted directly at:
River Chiropractic & Wellness Center
Dr. Laura Vernallis, DC, FIAMA & Dr. Bradley Vernallis
20525 Center Ridge Rd
Westgate Towers, Ste 148
Rocky River, OH 44116
Article Source:
http://www.1888articles.com/author-dr-laura-vernallis-35269.html
| Visit WebSite |
