Relief from Auto Injury & Whiplash

For those who have been in an auto accident, the after-effects can be traumatizing.  Not only is the pain very real, but often anxiety also plays a role in the patient’s discomfort.  One of the most common reasons that necessitate a trip to the chiropractor is whiplash.  If untreated, whiplash can become chronic pain.

An auto injury can be very serious and depending on the severity of the accident, rehabilitation after surgery may be required.

At Active Health KC Chiropractic & Rehab in the Kansas City area, our doctors work closely with each individual patient to learn about their pain in order to treat it with the best, most effective care possible.

 

What Our Patients Are Saying About the Pain Caused by an Accident

No two car accidents are the same which means after being involved in one, every patient needs a personalized plan to help them manage the pain they’re experiencing and find what exactly is causing the pain.

 

Patients can suffer from a number of different pain issues after an auto accident:

• Lower back pain/back pain
• Neck pain
• Sore muscles
• Headaches
• Loss of range of motion
• Pinched nerve
• And more

 

Once we understand where the pain is, we can find the root of the symptom.

 

These roots can take many forms, some include:

• Whiplash
• Inflammation
• Strained muscle or sprained ligament
• Herniated discs
• Nerve irritation
• And more

 

If a patient has had, it’s especially important to get the body back up and moving as soon as possible.  The muscles will lose their mobility and the body’s balance will be thrown off if the body is at rest for an extended period of time.

 

What is Whiplash and How Will it Affect Me?

Whiplash occurs when the head endures a sudden jerk backward, forward, or both which causes injury to the neck.  It commonly happens when a car is rear-ended, even at very low-force, but can also happen due to a violent hit to the head or chin, a sudden jerk of one or both arms, falling, or jumping too quickly (maybe out of fright).

 

The recoil of the neck and head damages the muscles, tendons, and ligaments supporting the neck which will result in pain in many forms such as:

• Neck stiffness and soreness
• Loss of range of motion
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• And more

 

Oftentimes a patient doesn’t realize they have the injury for several days or up to several weeks after the occurrence.  Once the pain is acknowledged, a patient should see a chiropractor as soon as possible.

A chiropractic care office will take the necessary tests and assessments to check the spine’s function and stability and then proceed with the appropriate steps to amend the problem.  The sooner a doctor is seen, the better, as it will decrease the chance of long-term issues.

At Active Health KC Chiropractic & Rehab we’re adamant about the safe, organic healing process that chiropractic offers.  We’ve seen firsthand the ongoing issues whiplash can cause and that almost always includes some relationship with painkillers, muscle relaxants, and surgeries.

Using a chiropractor to oversee your whiplash care is noninvasive and quick, sometimes providing immediate relief.

 

How We Treat Whiplash

We use a variety of treatments to help alleviate the pain caused by whiplash and get the spine aligned correctly.  We work with the patient when figuring out the best treatment plan for them.  We will only offer care that the patient is comfortable and confident with.

When the spine is structurally unsound it doesn’t have the potential to heal properly, so the quicker the spine is treated, the better for the patient.

 

The most common techniques we use to treat whiplash at Active Health KC Chiropractic & Rehab include:

Chiropractic care: this is a non-surgical, drug-free treatment that involves spinal manipulation/adjustments used to release restricted joints of the spine and extremities.

Functional rehabilitation and exercise therapy: using rehabilitation techniques and targeted exercises for corrective reasons is a safe way to treat pain and help the body’s performance.

Dry needling: when muscles are tense, tight, or not functioning to the best of their ability, we’ll use acupuncture-like needles for treatment that will often give instant relief to the triggered muscle.

McKenzie Method (MDT): this is a series of tests that allow us to determine posture and body mobility, the results provide the information necessary to create a working wellness plan for the patient.

Muscle and soft tissue therapy: also called myofascial release, this technique offers relief to pain connected to muscles or nerves that move improperly.

Nerve flossing: flossing a nerve will alleviate pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness caused by neural tension.

Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS): a powerful technique that promotes proper activation and coordination of the neuromuscular system.

 

When a patient visits our office, we will get all of the details of their medical history, the auto accident they’ve been involved in, and what symptoms they’re experiencing.  We will then work hand-in-hand with the patient to prepare a health plan all are comfortable with. Although we hope to provide a plan that will work as quickly as possible, if a patient doesn’t feel the plan will work for them, we will work to revise it according to the patient’s boundaries.

 

Steps to Help Prevent Whiplash

Every patient has their own limitations, so visits and treatment plans are based on their preferences.  Besides providing in-office care to treat the pain caused by an accident, we will also give valuable advice on at-home care that will decrease their healing time.

The best way to avoid whiplash is to be prepared for your collision whenever possible.

 

While in most cases this isn’t an option, below is a list of what to do when you see a car is about to rear-end you and you have the time to prepare:

• Keep your headrest properly adjusted at all times
• Put your head and neck against the seatback/headrest
• Bend your neck back somewhat so that you’re looking at the top of your windshield, looking straight ahead, your head should not be turned, and don’t look in the rearview mirror
• Move your shoulders up toward your ears
• Straighten your arms, keeping each hand on the steering wheel, gripping tightly
• Put your foot on the brake as hard as possible (if you’re at a complete stop)
• Brace yourself for impact

 

Of course, even following this advice doesn’t give you complete certainty that you won’t be injured, but it will minimize the chance.

We hope to help our patients have the lifestyle and body wellness they deserve though education and organic, safe chiropractic techniques that inspire smart choices.

If you’re suffering from whiplash, old or new, we recommend coming to see us at our Prairie Village chiropractic location today.