Every case of whiplash is different and for that reason it is difficult to summarize the chiropractic treatments for whiplash. However, it is possible to provide a brief overview of the five most common procedures used by chiropractors to treat whiplash. Your chiropractor may use any of these procedures, or a combination of them, to treat your whiplash. Your chiropractor can also give you a referral to another medical specialist if they think you need one. Your chiropractor will decide which procedures to use based on the main problems discovered during your first exam. Depending on the severity of your whiplash, you may need several visits to your chiropractor.
The first treatment is spinal manipulation. This is often a chiropractor’s first choice for joint problems. Realigns the spinal joints and allows the joints to regain their natural range of motion. This is often accomplished by gently turning the patient’s head in the direction of joint stress or dysfunction. After a few rotations, your chiropractor will use a quick push or a slow, steady motion to realign your joints. Some chiropractors prefer slow and steady movement for nervous or first-time patients.
Most chiropractors use muscle stimulation or relaxation techniques to treat muscle problems associated with whiplash injuries. For example, if your muscle appears to be weak, your chiropractor will stimulate the muscle to stimulate contractions. If you have the opposite problem, your muscles are too tight, your chiropractor will help you stretch the muscle to relieve the tension. The intensity of the stretches depends on how tight your muscle is, tighter muscles require more intense stretches. In many cases, these stretches can be painful. If this is the case, your chiropractor may apply pressure to the trigger points to relieve your pain.
Once your spine has been successfully realigned, your chiropractor can provide you with specific exercises to help reduce the chance of your discs becoming misaligned again. These exercises are called McKenzie exercises. Your chiropractor will initially show you how to do these exercises in his office, then give you instructions on how to do them at home. These were designed to be easy for patients who want to be actively involved in treating their whiplash.
Another type of exercise that may be assigned to you is stabilization exercises or sensorimotor exercises. These exercises are designed to train the nervous system to better coordinate and improve movement patterns for daily activities. They can also increase the strength of your neck muscles, which improves the stability of your neck. These exercises can be used on a variety of whiplash injuries, ranging from minor trauma as a result of playing sports to severe trauma from a car accident or fall.
Another whiplash treatment is more appropriate after your body has healed and is more to prevent whiplash than to treat your current injury. This treatment is ergonomic and lifestyle advice for doing daily activities with very little stress on your body. This tip takes into account your work, hobbies, and household projects that can irritate your whiplash injury. Your chiropractor will give you advice on how to do daily activities without putting unnecessary stress on your body.