According to Rush University, about two million people in America get whiplash each year. Not all of these injuries happen because of auto accidents. No matter what the cause, the result is a literal pain in the neck. WellSpring Chiropractic in Oakdale, MN, discusses what you need to know about whiplash.
Causes of Whiplash
Whiplash or neck sprain happens whenever your neck is suddenly jerked back and forth. This can happen in auto accidents at speeds as slow as 5 mph, but can also happen while playing sports, or at work, if you have a fall, or suffer a physical attack.
Common Symptoms of Whiplash
The most common symptoms of whiplash are neck pain and stiffness, limited range of motion, headaches, shoulder pain, upper arm pain, tingling in the arms as if they were waking up after going to sleep, pain in the upper back, dizziness, and feeling far more tired than usual because of having of deal with all of the other symptoms.
Uncommon Symptoms of Whiplash
Sometimes, people with whiplash also develop memory problems, concentration problems, mood swings, sleep difficulties, ringing in the ears, and blurry vision. You need to see a chiropractor if you have whiplash and develop these symptoms.
The Odd Thing About Whiplash Symptoms
Although whiplash symptoms like neck pain can start a few hours after an injury, they sometimes take days or even weeks to appear. Sometimes, people do not realize that they have whiplash until it is diagnosed. Sometimes, whiplash causes injuries that are slow to swell, which signals pain in the body.
Long-Term Neck Support Is a Bad Idea
Years ago, it was thought the best way to treat whiplash was to use a neck brace or a foam collar to keep the head still. Now, we know that using a neck brace or a foam collar for more than a few days weakens the neck muscles, making it harder to heal.
Chiropractic Care for Whiplash
The Mayo Clinic notes that many people receive significant neck pain relief with spinal manipulation from a chiropractor, combined with exercises or physical therapy. Chiropractors develop exercises you can do at home to help regain the neck strength and mobility you had before your accident. Spinal manipulations can be safely combined with many other treatments.
Postural Correction
Chiropractors will also screen your sitting and standing postures to see how they can be improved so that your whiplash injury isn’t aggravated. Changing your posture also helps your spine stay properly aligned in between chiropractic treatments.
Let Us Help
There’s no need to suffer from the pain of whiplash. If you live in the Oakdale, MN, area, contact WellSpring Chiropractic at (651) 735-2201 to make an appointment today.