Chiropractic Care Helps Whiplash
The term whiplash was coined around 30 years ago and typically occurs when in an accident, typically a side or rear end impact. Without proper treatment, up to 40% of patients can develop long term chronic conditions many months after the initial injury our Lacey chiropractor reveals.
The first thing that needs to be done after an accident is to reduce inflammation. This occurs when muscles and ligaments are injured. However, pain may not show up immediately, but can take some time to develop. Therefore you may not even realize you have an injury until you wake up one morning with acute neck or even back pain. Chiropractic manipulation soon after the accident has shown to help reduce this inflammation.
It also helps to restore movement, as one of the other factors of a whiplash injury is that the associated joints become stiff from swelling in the area and also from pain. This causes the patient to restrict their range of motion which in turn creates more problems due to muscles not being used properly and thus weakening.
Another by product of whiplash injuries is something known as scar tissue. This scar tissue patches injured muscles and tendons in a similar way to band aids, but never in an organized way. The scar tissue also prevents proper range of motion and again tightens up the area. Chiropractic adjustments help to stretch that out and in the early stages of healing helps to ensure that scar tissue form actually breaks up around the injured area properly and not hinder the motions.
Chiropractic manipulation has been studied and shown to be safe, fast and effective in treating pain. It is actually published in many treatment guidelines.
The injury can also affect other areas of the body too, as the initial area is impeded in its function, other areas start to dysfunction as well. Once again, chiropractic adjustments can help to normalize the affected area and thus help the rest of the body.
Chiropractic care may also help reduce stress and chronic pain following a whiplash injury. It not only helps the affected areas, but a chiropractic physician can also prescribe exercises, proper nutrition and further educate the patient to helping them get out of pain more.
Ultimately, the early treatment of any whiplash injury is vital to help prevent further problems down the road. Call your local Lacey chiropractor today on 360-951-4504.