If you think you might have whiplash, get experienced, compassionate care from Dr. Micheal Wilson at Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, CA.
What is whiplash?
Whiplash is an injury of the neck that usually happens when the head is quickly and forcefully moved either backward and then forward, or forward and then backward. A whiplash injury affects the muscles, discs, nerves, and tendons in the neck and can range from mild to a severe injury. A mild injury might only include some pain, whereas a severe whiplash injury could include severe pain, serious injury to the patient's body and neurological issues.
How is whiplash caused?
Whiplash is a very common injury during car collisions when a person gets rear-ended. However, it can occur from any collision that involves a sudden deceleration or acceleration. This is also a common injury to get when playing contact sports.
What are the symptoms of whiplash?
Whiplash has some tell-tale symptoms which typically include:
- Neck pain and/or stiffness
- Pain in the shoulder
- Pain in the lower back
- Muscle spasms
- Bruising or swelling
- Sensitivity or tenderness when touched
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Pain or numbness in the arm or the hand
- Ringing in the ears
- Headaches
- Vision problems, including blurred vision
- Memory issues or problems concentrating or focusing
- Loss of voice or trouble swallowing
- Excessive tiredness
- Being unable to sleep
- Being irritable
If you have been in an accident or injured while playing a sport and you are experiencing some or all of these, you should be evaluated by a doctor.
How is whiplash diagnosed:
When you suspect whiplash, the doctor will go over your medical history and potential cause of the injury along with performing a physical exam to check where your pain is and what your range of motion is. Often, the doctor will order imaging tests such as an x-ray, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), or a CT (computed tomography) scan as well, so they can see if there is any visible damage inside your body.
How is whiplash treated?
After the doctor has diagnosed whiplash as being present, they will recommend a course of treatment to help ease the pain and symptoms. Common treatments for whiplash are:
- Icing the injury for the few days after the injury, followed by application of heat to the area after the initial two days
- A neck (cervical) collar
- Physio Therapy
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy
If whiplash is causing you pain and discomfort, Dr. Micheal Wilson at Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, CA could help! Call us today at (707) 426-1111 to schedule a consultation!