One of the most common auto collision injuries, whiplash occurs when the neck moves forward and backward quickly and suddenly, causing muscles and ligaments to overextend. Pain such as neck stiffness and lack of motion can take up to 48 hours to manifest and last for weeks. Here, learn what chiropractic care treatments for whiplash are available to help treat the pain and discomfort you might be feeling.

Guide To Whiplash & Chiropractic Care

1. Muscle Stimulation & Relaxation

Chiropractors use gentle stretching techniques to relax muscles that are tense from whiplash. Other muscle relaxation and stimulation techniques may also be employed depending on the injury’s severity, such as more intense stretches and trigger point therapy. The latter treatment applies pressure to specific points on the neck to relieve pain and tension.

2. Spinal Manipulations

Different spinal manipulations help whiplash patients recover quickly by realigning spinal joints. Techniques such as flexion-distraction reduce pain and facilitate healing through the manipulation of herniated spinal discs. Other spinal manipulations use thrusting techniques to restore motion to specific joints and subsequently relieve neck pain.

3. Therapeutic Massage

Chiropractic care for whiplash can include therapeutic massage that reduces muscle tension and pain. Some massage techniques use devices like rollers, such as instrument-assisted soft tissue therapy. The handheld instrument gets applied to strained soft tissue in the neck using gentle strokes.

4. Ultrasound

Ultrasound therapy treats injured neck muscle tissue with sound waves. The waves penetrate the deeper layers of muscle, generating heat that reduces spasms, pain, and stiffness. Blood circulation to affected tissues also increases to promote fast healing.

5. Interferential Electrical Stimulation

Chiropractors often treat whiplash-related inflammation with interferential electrical stimulation. Electrical currents stimulate neck muscles to reduce inflammation and, subsequently, pain and stiffness.
 

Discuss your whiplash symptoms with the chiropractors at Stoiber Chiropractic to create a recovery plan. The chiropractic care experts serve residents throughout Wisconsin Rapids, WI, offering an array of holistic, non-invasive treatments that encourage bodily healing. Call (715) 424-8000 to make an appointment or request one online. Get additional wellness tips on their Facebook page.