Chiropractic Care for Whiplash

Acute radiculopathy is a condition where the nerves coming out of your spine get all bothered, causing a lot of discomfort and making it hard to do regular stuff. It’s super important to figure out and treat it quickly to feel better. So, let’s break it down: what causes it, what it feels like, how doctors find out if you have it, what they can do to help, and how you can try to stop it from happening.

How Chiropractors Diagnose Whiplash Injuries

When you go to a chiropractor because your neck hurts after an injury, they’ll look at your whole spine. This means they’ll check all the parts of your spine to see if anything else got hurt in the accident. They’ll also look for things like injuries to the discs between your vertebrae, problems with how your joints move, and any issues with your ligaments and muscles. Chiropractors use different methods to do this, like moving your body and feeling for tight or sore spots.

The chiropractor will also observe your walking, examine your posture, and check whether your spine is lined up correctly. This helps them determine if there are any problems with your spine’s positioning and muscle function.

Diagnosing Whiplash

When someone complains of neck pain following a car crash, the process of diagnosing whiplash begins. As soon as the patient visits the chiropractic clinic, the chiropractor starts looking into different factors to figure out what’s causing the problem. It’s important to remember that each person’s injuries are unique, so the chiropractor creates a special plan for every patient. However, there are some common steps you can expect when you come to our Chiro First Rehab clinic.

Patient History Assessment

When you visit the chiropractor, they’ll ask you a bunch of questions about your health. They want to know everything about your medical background, like any past injuries, sicknesses, or the medications you take. They might ask:

  • How did you hurt your neck?
  • Were you in a car accident?
  • When did the pain start?
  • Did it happen right after the accident, or did it take some time?
  • Where does it hurt, and how bad is it?
  • Does the pain stay all the time, or does it come and go?
  • Does the pain spread to your shoulders and hands?

Based on your answers, they might ask more questions to understand your situation better.

Physical Exam for Whiplash

Once the chiropractor has asked you about your medical history, they will check your body physically. They start by looking at how you stand and the position of your neck. They will feel different parts of your neck to see if anything feels tight or sore. The chiropractor will also see how well you can move your neck in different directions.

If the chiropractor notices any signs that suggest there might be a problem with your nerves, they might do some other tests in their office. These tests include:

  1. Reflexes: The chiropractor will tap your arm with a rubber hammer to see if the nerves in your neck are working properly.
  2. Muscle Power: They will check if your arms, shoulders, and hands are strong enough.
  3. Sensation: The chiropractor will touch different parts of your skin to see if you feel anything unusual. For example, if you feel tingling in your pinky finger instead of your thumb, it helps them figure out where the pain is coming from.

These assessments aid the chiropractor in comprehending the root of your neck discomfort and devising an effective treatment plan.

Diagnostic Imaging

After the detailed physical exam, the chiropractor will have enough information to start the treatment. They might also do another test to find out exactly what’s causing the problem. If they think there might be a problem with the nerves or if there’s a broken bone, they might order some special pictures of your neck. Here are some of the pictures they might order:

  1. X-ray: X-rays show the structure of your bones, which can help determine where a bone might be broken.
  2. MRI scan: MRI scans are detailed pictures that show both soft tissues (like muscles) and bones. They’re not as clear as X-rays for bones, but they’re good for seeing damage to soft tissues.
  3. CT scan: CT scans use X-rays to make a very detailed picture with a computer. They give a better view of your neck structure and help the chiropractor see if there are any broken bones or damage to soft tissues.
  4. Bone scan: Bone scans are done infrequently because they use a lot of radiation and can be expensive. But sometimes, if the chiropractor thinks there might be a tiny fracture, they might order one.

The goal of these tests is to determine what’s causing the pain. The chiropractor might perform all of these tests or just some of them. Once they know what’s causing the pain, they can start treating it.

Whiplash Treatment Phases

When you get whiplash, it goes through different stages as it heals. First, there’s the acute phase, which happens right after the accident. During this time, Chiro First Rehab chiropractors use things like ultrasound and gentle stretching to reduce swelling. They might also suggest wearing a soft neck brace or using an ice pack on your neck.

Once the swelling goes down a lot, the chiropractor will start doing different treatments, like spinal manipulation, to help your neck move normally again.

Chiropractic Whiplash Treatments

The way chiropractors treat whiplash can vary greatly depending on the severity of your injury. It’s not the same for everyone. The right treatment depends on what’s going on with your body, which the chiropractor determines during your evaluation. Some people might have minor symptoms that go away quickly, while others might have more serious and long-lasting pain, along with trouble thinking clearly.

Whiplash Symptoms

Whiplash symptoms can show up right after a car crash or take a while, even days, to appear. Sometimes, existing muscle problems can make them worse. At Chiro First Rehab, our chiropractors create a personalized plan for each case. Let’s start by talking about the common symptoms.

  • Neck Pain: The main sign of whiplash is neck pain. It can be mild to severe and might be in one spot or spread out. It can also go down your shoulder and into your arm. This pain happens because of problems with muscles, ligaments, nerves, discs, joints, or bones.
  • Neck Stiffness: A stiff neck is pretty common after a car crash. It happens when your neck can’t move like it should. It might be because your muscles are tight, you’re in pain, or there’s a problem with your joints.
  • Headache/Migraine: Whiplash can also hurt your head. It happens when muscles or joints in your neck get hurt and bother your nerves, leading to headaches or migraines.
  • Neck Instability: Normally, your neck holds up your head well. But if you feel like your neck isn’t stable, it could mean your muscles are having trouble. This can happen if your ligaments tear or stretch too much.
  • Upper Back Pain and Shoulder Pain: When the soft parts of your neck get hurt, your nerves can get upset, causing pain in your neck, shoulders, and upper back.
  • Radiating Tingling, Numbness, or Weakness: Whiplash can squeeze or swell your neck’s spinal nerves, causing tingling, weakness, or numbness that spreads to your shoulders, arms, and fingers. Usually, it’s on one side, but sometimes, it can be on both sides.

Chiropractic Treatment for Whiplash

1. Spinal Manipulation

  • Flexion-Distraction Techniques: Gentle movements help treat herniated discs.
  • Instrument-Assisted Manipulation: They use a tool to adjust your spine without pushing too hard.
  • Specific Spinal Manipulation: They target problem areas in your spine with gentle pushes.

2. Manual Therapies

  • Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Therapy: They use a special tool to massage injured areas.
  • Manual Joint Stretching: Gently stretching your joints helps muscles and ligaments heal.
  • Therapeutic Massage: Massaging your neck muscles helps them relax and heal.

3. Muscle Relaxation and Stimulation

  • Heat and Cold Therapy: They use hot and cold treatments to reduce swelling and pain.
  • Ultrasound: Sound waves help increase blood flow to injured muscles, reducing pain.
  • Interferential Electrical Stimulation: Low-frequency electricity relaxes tight muscles and reduces swelling.

These treatments help your body heal and reduce pain after a whiplash injury.

Whiplash Recovery Outlook

In most cases, people with whiplash usually get better within 3 to 4 months. However, like with any injury, certain factors could make the recovery take longer. Here are some things that might affect how long it takes to recover from whiplash:

  1. Severe Pain Right After the Accident: If someone feels really bad pain right after a car crash, it could mean they got hurt pretty badly.
  2. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Car accidents can be scary, and some people might feel really anxious or down afterward. This can make it harder to get better. Chiropractors can give advice on how to deal with these feelings, which might help with sleep problems or feeling sad.
  3. Getting Older: As people age, their bodies don’t bounce back as quickly from injuries. So, older adults might take longer to heal from whiplash, especially if they already had health problems before the accident.
  4. Being Female: Women usually have smaller necks, which means their neck muscles might not be as strong. This can make them more likely to get hurt in a car crash and take longer to feel better afterward.

Why You Should Choose Chiro First Rehab Chiropractic and Wellness

Getting chiropractic care after a whiplash injury is really important. At Chiro First Rehab, the chiropractors use different methods to help your neck move better. They also give you exercises to make your muscles stronger and improve your posture. Chiropractic care can also fix how your body normally stands and moves. It’s a safe, effective, and non-surgical way to recover from whiplash. This means it’s a good option for getting better without spending too much money and without needing surgery.

WHY CHOOSE US?

When someone has acute radiculopathy, it can really affect how they move around and their overall quality of life. It’s important to deal with it quickly and thoroughly. By understanding what causes it, knowing the symptoms, and trying out different treatments, people can cope with this condition better. Remember, catching it early and taking action right away is crucial for getting the best results in managing radiculopathy.

If you ever need help or information about acute radiculopathy, Chiro First Rehab is here to assist you. You can rely on our excellent service. Get in touch with us today to learn more and have the best experience possible!

FREE QUOTE

Do you need help with HVAC or Plumbing maintenance? Fill out this form to get in touch.

OFFICE LINE

+1 317-243-7180

ADDRESS

5610 Dividend Rd Suite A, Indianapolis, IN 46241

WORKING HOURS

OPEN 24/7/365