How Does a Chiropractor Treat Whiplash?

Whiplash is a common injury from violent events like car or slip-and-fall accidents. However, due to its prevalence, many individuals disregard the typical symptoms. They often assume they will resolve independently. But it is rarely the case, and the patients deal with chronic symptoms days or months after the accident.

It is impossible to generalize chiropractic whiplash treatment because every injury is unique. Each whiplash injury requires a different therapy that targets the main issues detected.

How Do Chiropractors Diagnose Whiplash?

The chiropractor will examine your entire spine, even if your main complaint is neck pain. It is because whiplash can affect or impact other parts of the spine. The chiropractor will focus on the most affected regions of the neck and spine. The most assessed are regions with:

Muscle spasms
Muscle tension
Restricted joint motion
Ligament injury
Intervertebral disc injury

They will also examine your spinal joints’ range of motion, pain, and tightness. Then they might watch how you walk and observe your gait and spinal alignment. Besides examining your spinal cord, the chiropractor may request imaging tests.

All these will help them understand the mechanics of your body and the way your spine functions. It is critical to provide a precise diagnosis.

What Is the Chiropractic Treatment for Whiplash?

The most effective treatments for whiplash involve spinal manipulation and muscle stimulation. They may combine some or all to provide wholesome treatment and pain relief.

Spinal Manipulation

The mainstay of chiropractic treatment is spinal manipulation. Plans for treating whiplash typically start and emphasize cervical spine manipulation. Here are some of the techniques they may use.

Flexion-distraction

This hands-on method can repair herniated discs that may or may not cause arm pain. It is a mild, non-thrusting form of spinal manipulation. A bulging or herniated disc may have worsened due to your whiplash injury. Rather than applying force directly to the spine, the chiropractor gently pumps the disc.

Instrument-assisted Manipulation

It’s another non-thrusting approach that chiropractors usually use. The chiropractor uses a specialized handheld device to exert pressure without pressing into the spine. Older people with degenerative joint conditions benefit from this kind of therapy.

Specific Manipulation of the Spine

The chiropractor identifies subluxations, constrained or unaturally moving spinal joints. Using this method, they gently shove the joint to assist in regaining motion. This delicate thrusting accomplishes two main objectives to help restore normal spinal movement. It awakens the neurological system and stretches soft tissue.

Muscle Relaxation or Stimulation

These are the main whiplash treatments to ease related muscle issues. It entails repeating contractions of the inhibited muscle or mild stretches of the tense muscles.

The chiropractor could use a more forceful stretch if the muscle is overly tight. They will treat trigger points with gentle finger pressure treatments. These reduce the pain brought on by the tense muscles.

For more on how a chiropractor treats whiplash, visit Castelli Chiropractic Center at our office in Jacksonville, Florida. Call (904) 320-0409 to book an appointment today.