Treating Whiplash Following a Car Accident
Whiplash is the most common injury sustained in a car accident. When it comes to whiplash, most people think the issue is only found in the neck. While the neck is involved in most instances of whiplash, there are other parts of the body at serious risk of injury as well.
Whiplash from a Car Accident Has a Wide-Ranging Impact
Whiplash occurs when the head is rapidly thrust backward and forward. This rapid motion subjects the cervical spine to extreme forces the body is not meant to endure. The medical term for whiplash is Cervical Acceleration Deceleration Syndrome and can be a result of falls and bodies colliding while playing sports, but is most often a result of rear end motor vehicle collisions.
The car seat actually creates the perfect conditions for whiplash to occur during an accident. The seatback pushes against the victim’s back, which sends forces up the cervical spine and compresses it against the skull. The torso is then accelerated forward, but the head remains in place because it is not in contact with any part of the seat.
Due to full flexion of the region that occurs during whiplash in a typical car accident, the opportunity for damage is wide-ranging. Injury can occur to the protective cartilage, the cervical disks, the ligaments, and the muscles in the affected region. Proteins can even leak from a ruptured disk that then spread and cause pain in other parts of the body.
The pain from whiplash also ranges from mild and dull to severe and sharp. Therefore, with so many options for injury and aches to follow, the right treatment for whiplash is vital in order for a patient to recover fully.
Each Case of Whiplash Requires Custom Treatment
Cases of whiplash vary widely between instances and, therefore, there are no universal treatments for whiplash that all victims can receive without examination. An in-person exam is necessary for knowing the proper chiropractic treatment for each patient. A licensed chiropractic doctor will discern the primary dysfunctions during an exam and treat accordingly.
Effective chiropractic treatments often include some combination of manipulation, muscle relaxation, muscle stimulation, therapeutic exercise, and ergonomic changes to a patient’s everyday environments. With all the options for treatment, it is easy to understand why a unique plan for each patient is necessary.
The good news is that with the proper care from a chiropractic physician like Dr. Keren Gomez, relief from pain and full recovery are achievable. Call Dr. Keren Gomez at 305-761-6528 or use the online contact form to request more information on finding relief from your whiplash induced pain following a car accident.