Few medical terms are as evocative as the word “whiplash.” More formally known as “cervical acceleration-deceleration syndrome,” whiplash describes the rapid shaking of the head back and forth, resulting in damage to tissues of the neck. There are many potential symptoms of whiplash, including radiating pain. But at Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, non-surgical, non-addictive treatments for whiplash are one of our core areas of practice.
Most cases of whiplash result from car crashes. After the crash, the patient often feels their neck become stiff and swollen, although swelling doesn’t always develop immediately. In addition to pain in their necks, whiplash patients may also experience weakness in their shoulders and shocks of pain into their arms and head. These shocks could be due to impingement of the nerves that branch off to those parts of the body. The term “cervicogenic” is used to describe a headache that originates in the neck, and they are among the whiplash symptoms that may be longer lasting. It is also common for people to only experience pain when they make certain movements, and sometimes pain can radiate down a person’s muscles along their backs.
Whiplash itself might not be apparent from imaging tests, but people who have suffered neck injuries are still encouraged to get them to determine whether they have incurred a fracture to any of their neck bones. Their treatment will depend on whether or not they have. At our office, we offer several means of reducing whiplash patients’ pain while helping them restore motion, including massage therapy, electric muscle stimulation, and chiropractic adjustments to the neck. The last of those can be particularly helpful to people with cervicogenic headaches who have excess fluid buildup in their necks due to blockages. We can also recommend different stretches that will safely help the muscles of the neck and shoulder rebuild their strength.
Kosak Chiropractic is located at 1252 Travis Blvd., Suite G, Fairfield, CA, 94533. To schedule an appointment, visit Kosak Chiropractic online or call 707-426-1111.