Whiplash is the most common injury in auto accidents, where the head is jerked violently backwards and forward, when the vehicle is impacted from the rear or side. The violent jerking trauma causes the ligaments and muscles that support the spine to tear or overstretch. In severe whiplash trauma, the pulpy discs between the vertebrae can rupture, tear, or bulge.
A person suffering from whiplash trauma could experience symptoms such as neck pain, reduced range of neck motion, pain in hands, shoulders or arms, dizziness, and headaches. Surprisingly, even though whiplash is a serious injury, symptoms might not appear for many hours or even couple of weeks after the accident. Since, whiplash trauma affects different tissues and spinal discs, it is absolutely critical you should consult Wirth Chiropractic in Greenville, NC after an auto accident.
Chiropractic treatment has a multi-pronged approach to achieve full recovery and take care of the different affected tissues. The duration and type of treatment will mainly depend on the severity of the injury and other existing matters and could consist of:
ü Adjustments or Manipulations
Chiropractic manipulations are very effective for correcting structural alignment and restoring the range of motion. These adjustments will also relieve pain, since they reduce inflammation and strain on tight or spasmodic muscles. When the alignment of the spine is corrected, the pressure on pinched nerves is reduced or relieved, leading to fewer headaches and joint irritations.
ü Muscle Therapy
After an auto accident, muscles can go into spasms which can cause some pain. Muscle therapy is quite effective in reducing these spasms and preventing inflammation of the muscle.
ü Medication
Anti-inflammatory medications and painkillers are rarely used by knowledgeable chiropractors. They are used only to provide temporary relief to patients suffering from intense pain. In fact, these medications should only be taken under the supervision of a chiropractor, since the patient might believe they are transitioning back into the normal swing of things but actually they could be on a path that leads to more harm. Muscle spasms and pain are protective responses of the body to stop further damage.
After an auto accident, you are usually taken to the ER, where a general practitioner will prescribe pain and anti-inflammatory medication. One should remember that these type of medications are not cures, and they provide only temporary relief from pain and other symptoms.
Getting on the Right Track
It is therefore your responsibility to consult Wirth Chiropractic in Greenville, NC. This is the professional who can diagnose the injury correctly and provide a customized treatment plan which is what you need. This will ensure a quicker recovery, and an avoidance of possible suffering and perhaps a serious calamity which you certainly do not want to experience.
