Chiropractic Health & Wellness Blog

Chiropractic and Whiplash

Many Minneapolis auto accident injuries do not show symptoms until weeks or even months after the crash. However, even without symptoms, internal damage to the musculoskeletal system and soft tissues can happen immediately. At Lyn Lake Chiropractic our chiropractors and entire wellness team have helped thousands of Minneapolis - St. Paul patients safely recover from whiplash and other auto injuries. 

One of the most stressful events in life is dealing with the issues that occur after an auto accident. The first thing a person thinks about after the crash is the car. Most people are not aware that some injuries are not detected for months or even years. It is absolutely imperative that anybody that is in an auto accident immediately go see a Doctor trained in soft tissue injuries.
 

Whiplash is the common name given to the injury where there is a hyperextention (increased backward motion) and hyperflexion (increased forward motion) of the cervical (neck) spine and is also known as Acute Soft Tissue Neck Sprain.

When whiplash injury occurs, the soft tissues – the tendons, ligaments and muscles – which support the head and neck become stretched out of their natural range of motion and torn.

The muscles and ligaments of the neck contract in order to prevent excessive motion and protect you from further serious injury such as a neck fracture or spinal cord injury.  This is called a stretch reflex (myotatic reflex).

More simply put, the head is dramatically thrust forward and backward. Car accidents (rear-end collisions) are usually the cause whiplash injuries.

Although whiplash is most frequently the result of a rear-end collision, whiplash can occur in several other situations including:
 

* Tipping accidents

* Bicycle accident and motorcycle crashes

* A direct blow to the face, neck, head, or back (usually from playing sports)

* Diving into shallow water

* Roller coasters that hyper-extends the neck or causes it to be snapped suddenly and violently in the wrong direction. Head, neck, and back injuries, and even whiplash are commonly reported amusement park injuries.

 

Symptoms of whiplash include headaches; visual disturbance; neck pain and stiffness; restriction of movement; and shoulder, neck, or arm pain. These symptoms may or may not be felt immediately. It is estimated that most whiplash injuries are not felt for several hours, days, and in some cases even five years after the original injury.

Whiplash Injuries and Chiropractic

Studies are clear that whiplash patients make a faster, less painful recovery, return to work and could return to activities faster and are the most satisfied when utilizing chiropractic when compared to covering up the symptoms with medications that have negative side effects that interfere with being able to think and ultimately, reduce productivity.

Chiropractic Spinal Adjustments Ease Whiplash Pain

Whiplash and whiplash-associated disorders is a common affliction in the United States with up to 42% of patients exhibiting long term symptoms, and that if they are still symptomatic after three months there is about a 90% chance that they will remain so. Most treatments used in dealing with this ubiquitous problem have not been shown to be effective by rigorously controlled scientific studies. The one exception to this finding is Chiropractic.
 

Chiropractic has been a blessing to millions of people suffering from neck and whiplash problems, saving many sufferers from unnecessary drugs and surgery.

Even if you are not in pain following a whiplash incident, it is important to receive prompt attention to your injury, as the structural balance of your neck and spine is important to your health. We can assist in your recovery by correctly adjusting your neck and/or spine so it has the chance to heal properly.

Please just take the time and get checked out by a chiropractor soon.