Whiplash is an incredibly common neck injury that occurs when a person's head snaps forward and then backward at a sharp, almost sudden pace. This type of injury is most associated with car accidents as whiplash will occur whenever you hit or get hit by another vehicle while wearing a seatbelt. The sudden motion of the vehicle hitting you will send you flying forward and then, as the seat belt catches you, sending you back just as hard.
But while whiplash injuries are most associated with car accidents, that certainly isn't the only cause. At Acosta Chiropractic, we have provided residents of Riverside, CA, with whiplash treatment for many years. Read on to learn more about how our chiropractor diagnoses and treats whiplash.
Diagnosing a Whiplash Injury
Because there are so many different things that can contribute to whiplash, the best way to have yourself diagnosed and get yourself on a treatment plan is to make an exam appointment. During a chiropractic exam, your chiropractor will touch and move your head, neck, and arms. They will then ask you to provide simple tasks to check the range of motion, degree of motion, tenderness, and how much strength and sensation you have in your legs and arms.
After this physical exam, your chiropractor may also order an imaging test to confirm the whiplash injury and to rule out any other conditions that could be exacerbating your neck or back pain. Imaging tests include x-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans, although, generally, an x-ray and physical exam are often sufficient to showcase a whiplash injury.
Treating a Whiplash Injury
There are three goals we push for when treating a whiplash injury and at our Eagle Rock CA and San Fernando CA chiropractor office:
- Control and management of pain
- Restoration of the normal range of motion
- Long-term healing practices that will allow you to get back to normal activities in the short-term
How we meet these goals will differ for each patient as treatment plans will depend upon your medical history, what you are comfortable with, how severe your whiplash injury is, and other factors. In general, however, we will provide a comprehensive treatment plan that will include physical therapy and chiropractic adjustments.
Schedule Your Whiplash Exam Today
If your neck is sore, you have a pinching ache in your upper back, or you were recently in a car accident, then do not delay any longer. Contact our chiropractic team today to schedule a visit with an experienced and skilled chiropractor where you can undergo a whiplash exam and diagnosis, as well as learn more about this condition and the healing process. Call Acosta Chiropractic today at (951) 354-6294 for more information or to schedule an appointment with our chiropractor.
