Chiropractic Treatments for Whiplash and Concussions
"I did a lot of things to stay in the game, but regular visits to my chiropractor were among the most important." - Jerry Rice
A motor vehicle accident can be a very traumatic event. Even a small fender bender can lead to a lifetime of aches and pains. Some of the most common injuries in a car accident are whiplash and concussion.
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A whiplash occurs with a rapid forward and backward motion of the head after a sudden rapid decrease in velocity. This frequently causes damage in the ligaments in the cervical spine. Symptoms of a whiplash include deep aching pain in the neck, swelling, loss of range of motion, headaches and pain in the neck, shoulders and upper back. Oftentimes symptoms of a whiplash take several hours or even days to appear and can have a sudden onset.
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Concussions can occur with a traumatic force or with a rapid rotation of the head. Concussions are common in motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries and falls. In times past, concussions were commonly associated with "blacking out" or losing consciousness. While this still occurs in many concussions, not all concussions will have blacking out and it is important to know other symptoms. Headaches, especially a strong sense of pressure in the head is very common, confusion or amnesia can occur, dizziness, tinnitus (ringing in ears), nausea and vomiting are all common.
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The first step of treatment will be assessing if you have a concussion or whiplash. If you are diagnosed with one of these conditions your Chiropractor will begin treatment. Treatments typically include light force adjustments, cold laser and rest, he will monitor you over a period of time to assure that you are indeed recovering from your injury. In addition if your Doctor suspects other potential issues he may refer you for additional treatment or a second opinion.