We might often joke about sustaining whiplash damage from how quickly current events seem to change. But real whiplash is no joke! You can sustain whiplash injury from numerous types of accidents, but car wrecks are the most common culprit. And yes, you can suffer whiplash from even a low-speed accident, depending upon the circumstances.

But first, what is whiplash? The injury results from rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, similar to the cracking of a whip. A number of situations can cause whiplash, but the most common is car wrecks in which a rapid stop occurs. As you’re traveling forward, so is your entire body. Therefore, a rapid stop leaves your head still in motion, while your body is restrained by a seatbelt. The result is whiplash, or injury to the vertebrae and ligaments of the neck, because the neck bears the brunt of most of this force.

If you’ve been in a car accident or other similar incident, call us to schedule a consultation for whiplash right away. Chiropractic treatment can be designed to address your particular injury, and might include any or all of the following:

  • Muscle stimulation or relaxation
  • Gentle manipulations of the vertebrae of your neck
  • Chiropractic adjustments, which are more abrupt but can offer more immediate relief in certain situations
  • Various exercises to help recover full function of your neck
  • Ergonomic and lifestyle changes to support your progress

Recommended exercises often include McKenzie exercises, which were originally designed to alleviate disc derangement related to a whiplash injury. We can teach you these simple movements in the office, but then you can perform them at home too. These exercises allow you to play an active role in your recovery and can speed healing time.

And of course, the last thing you want is to re-injure your neck during recovery. We will also evaluate lifestyle and occupational risks, and help you modify activities or utilize ergonomic strategies to support your healing from whiplash.

If you’ve suffered a car accident or other incident that might have resulted in whiplash, give us a call. We will schedule an appointment to evaluate your situation and make a personalized recommendation to help you heal from whiplash injury.