If you recently had a car accident and are feeling immense neck pain and stiffness, you likely have a condition known as whiplash. This common auto accident injury can significantly impact your day-to-day life if left untreated. Fortunately, your “chiropractor near you” at Charleston Chiropractic and Therapy, LLC, in Charleston, SC, can help alleviate whiplash pain with safe and effective chiropractic care. Learn more about whiplash and how chiropractic care helps treat it with the following frequently asked questions.
Why Does Whiplash Occur?
Whiplash frequently occurs in auto accidents due to the rapid forward and backward motion of the head and neck during a collision. This quick motion can strain or tear your neck and shoulder ligaments, leading to several painful symptoms. You can also suffer whiplash due to slips and falls or sports injuries that involve trauma to the head and neck.
What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash?
While neck pain is the most recognizable symptom associated with whiplash, you can also experience limited mobility in your neck. Additional symptoms include headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Some people might also experience tenderness in the shoulder and upper back and tingling or numbness in the arms. People typically feel the effects of whiplash within 24 hours, but some symptoms may take days to appear.
Will Whiplash Heal on Its Own?
Although rest can help with many ailments and injuries, whiplash can spiral into a chronic condition if you do not seek prompt treatment. This condition often knocks your spine and surrounding joints out of alignment, resulting in lingering muscle strain and other musculoskeletal problems. You should seek the help of our chiropractor immediately if you experience symptoms associated with whiplash.
How Do Chiropractors Treat Whiplash?
The treatment for your whiplash will vary based on its cause and severity. Our chiropractor will perform a physical exam to determine the underlying factors contributing to your pain and discomfort. He will then develop a personalized whiplash treatment plan that may include chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and rehabilitation exercises.
Chiropractic adjustments correct misalignments in the neck and spine that cause pain and dysfunction. Soft tissue therapies like massage help relax muscles and enhance blood flow to the injured area. Stretches and strengthening exercises can improve neck flexibility and promote healing. These also strengthen your neck muscles to prevent future pain and injury.
Get Effective Whiplash Treatment Today at Charleston Chiropractic and Therapy, LLC
If you recently had a car accident and need auto accident injury treatment from a trusted “chiropractor near you,” consider contacting Charleston Chiropractic and Therapy, LLC, in Charleston, SC. Our chiropractor will develop a personalized treatment plan to help ease your pain and restore your range of motion. Call us and schedule a consultation today at (843) 722-7074 to experience lasting pain relief.