How Does a Chiropractor Treat Whiplash?

When something causes your head to jerk backward and then forward violently, you can easily end up with whiplash. Car accidents are the most likely culprit when a person has whiplash, but it is also possible to get it by riding amusement park rides, playing certain sports, or slipping and falling suddenly.

If there is even an outside chance you have whiplash, you should see a chiropractor for a professional evaluation as soon as possible. If you are in Mission Viejo, CA or the surrounding areas, Dr. Marcus Morris of Morris Chiropractic can help.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Whiplash?

Although whiplash manifests differently from person to person and injury to injury, the following are some textbook whiplash symptoms to be on the lookout for:

• Pain or stiffness in the neck, arms, or upper back
• Headaches, especially toward the back of the head or radiating up from the neck
• Blurred vision, dizziness, or vertigo
• Trouble concentrating or focusing
• Unusually intense fatigue

Sometimes it takes time for the symptoms of whiplash to fully manifest, so those involved in certain types of accidents should always see a chiropractor to be on the safe side. Otherwise, the person could inadvertently worsen the injury, making it harder to treat in the long run.

How Will Your Chiropractor Treat Whiplash?

Even if you show classic signs of whiplash, your chiropractor will still perform a thorough spinal examination to be sure. He will also want to determine the extent of your injuries. It’s possible additional ligaments, discs, muscles, or joints outside of your neck region could be affected.

Whiplash treatment typically goes through a couple of stages. When the injury is fresh, your chiropractor will focus primarily on reducing the inflammation. Gentle stretching and manual relief therapy may also be involved, and it may be recommended that you wear a brace or use ice packs. As your neck heals, motion restoration techniques like the following may be applied:

• Spinal manipulation
• Flexion-distraction technique
• Instrument-assisted manipulation
• Therapeutic massage
• Trigger point therapy
• Ultrasound or electrical stimulation therapy

The Importance of Choosing the Right Mission Viejo CA Chiropractor

Diagnosis and treatment of a condition like whiplash is delicate work, so choose your chiropractor with care. You want someone who is experienced with the situation and with whom you feel comfortable.

You also want someone conveniently located, as the last thing you need when you are in pain is a long commute to your doctor’s office. If you are in Mission Viejo, CA or anywhere nearby, Dr. Marcus Morris of Morris Chiropractic has you covered. Call to schedule your evaluation today and get back on the road to pain-free living!