Whiplash occurs when your head is violently moved backward (hyperextension) and forward (hyperflexion)- injuring your neck. The damage is worse if the neck was turned to the side at the time of the accident. Whiplash is the most common injury resulting from car accidents and is often encountered along with concussions and more serious injury. Whiplash can cause injury to intervertebral joints, discs, and ligaments, cervical muscles, nerves, and can also extend to the shoulders and arms.
Whiplash can be diagnosed with a simple physical examination or using x-rays. X-rays will also be used to see if there are any fractures of the vertebrae and the extent to which the alignment of the neck has been altered. After a whiplash injury your neck's natural curve may be reversed, which unevenly distributes the weight of your head and may further misalign the veterbrae. This condition can lead to arthritic degeneration and recurring pain.
If you are taken from the accident in an ambulance to a hospital you'll probably be put in a hard neck brace on a back board- as a preventive measure to avoid more serious injury to your neck.
The course of treatment will vary depending on the extent of your injury, at our clinic you will receive the appropriate treatment and rehab for your injury. We will use a combination of therapies including: heat, cold, traction, trigger point therapy, ultrasound, massage, neck exercises and stretches, and chiropractic to alleviate pain, help realign the neck and regain proper motion, strength, and flexibility.
