Chiropractic Care for Whiplash Injury in Chicago
How are whiplash injuries in Chicago produced?
Mainly due to a traffic accident, although it can also be caused by an accident at work or during the practice of a sport, due to falls of various kinds, or head injuries. When whiplash occurs, the muscles of the ligaments, the intervertebral discs, the vertebrae, and the general nervous system can also be affected.
During whiplash, there is a sudden forward/backward or lateral movement of the head and neck, resulting in injury. Due to excessive movement beyond natural movement, the muscles and ligaments that support the spine hyperextend (the neck moves backwards) or hyperflex (the neck moves forwards).
The vertebrae can be forced out of their normal position, reducing their usual range of motion, and spinal discs can tear or rupture. In addition, the spinal cord and nerve roots are stretched, inflamed and irritated.
One of the main drawbacks of this injury is that the symptoms can take time to appear, so the patient sometimes does not take the necessary measures for his recovery; and after months or years, after having suffered the injury, more acute symptoms appear such as degeneration in the neck, due to trauma and ligament rupture.
What symptoms appear from Whiplash Injury in Chicago?
- Head and neck pain. May radiate to shoulders and shoulder blades
neck stiffness - Tingling and itching sensation produced by muscle tear
- Visual disturbances, blurred vision, dizziness, vertigo
- Pain in shoulder blades, legs, hands, lower back
- Fatigue, irritability
- Pain in the face, jaw, difficulty swallowing
- Nausea, ringing in the ears
Chiropractic care and prevention of chronic pain in Chicago
In the first visit, the chiropractor will always carry out a preliminary examination to verify the patient’s condition and history and how the injury has developed, since there are no equal injuries. Chiropractic is applied not only on the injury or pain points, but also by observing the patient as a whole, their previous history, life habits, etc. Any incident at the neurological, muscular or mechanical level that could have been triggered by the injury is treated.
The type of chiropractic manipulation will be based on gentle impulses of the affected joint that has abnormal or restricted movement, and thus stimulate the nervous system and regularize the normal movement of the spine. This manipulation is combined with muscle stimulation/relaxation, stretching exercises adapted to the patient’s situation and postural re-education, so that the patient learns to avoid harmful actions and reduce tension and the effects of stress on their body.
An essential aspect is mobility, the patient must remain active, as long as the extent of the injury allows it, to obtain a beneficial long-term recovery.
To improve whiplash injury, the chiropractor applies stretching and gentle pressure techniques to trigger points to relieve pain caused by tight or overworked muscles. Thanks to stretching and chiropractic adjustments, the nervous system regains its coordination and mobility; on the other hand, the neck muscles restore their strength to control the stability of the neck.
Any imbalance/instability of the spine will be corrected with chiropractic adjustments and the cervical muscles will be strengthened.
Conclusion
If you have questions or would like to meet with one of our doctors, please contact our chiropractors in Chicago to get the appropriate treatment for you. Call or contact us today to schedule an appointment.
