Category: Injury Recovery

Sterling Chiropractic Office Helps Whiplash

One of the most common injuries that people suffer from after an auto accident in Sterling is whiplash. When a chiropractor books an appointment to see a patient after a car accident, it is often to treat the pain that results from a whiplash injury. Find out how our Sterling chiropractic office can help.

What Is Whiplash?

Whiplash is a term that is used by the medical profession to describe a neck injury that occurs as the result of a car accident. Being hit from behind or “rear-ended” is one of the most common type of auto accidents and the one most likely to produce whiplash. When you are hit from behind, the head whips back and then forward, causing the injury.

How Is It Diagnosed?

When a Sterling chiropractic office diagnoses a whiplash injury, your entire spine will be evaluated to ensure the only injury is in the neck. They will look for any areas that display poor range of motion, muscle spasm, general weakness, and pain. In the acute phase, you probably won’t be able to turn your head comfortably and your head may hurt. Your chiropractor will also feel around your neck and back looking for tender spots and tightness.

Chiropractic Treatment for Whiplash

When whiplash is still in the acute stage, a chiropractor may use gentle stretching, ultrasound, and other techniques in an effort to reduce inflammation. You might also be advised to apply ice in order to reduce the swelling. After the initial swelling has subsided and the pain lessens, the treatment will turn to spinal manipulation to restore the normal blood flow and motion to your neck.
No one likes the thought of getting into a car accident, but you have little control over being hit from behind when you’re driving. If you think you may have whiplash, the key is to seek attention as soon as possible. If you’re not in a medical emergency, book an appointment with our team at Alternative Wellness Clinic so we can assess the situation and get started on the appropriate chiropractic treatment.

At Alternative Wellness Clinic our team is here to help answer your questions.  Please feel free to contact us today.

No one anticipates getting into a car accident, but almost everyone that has the misfortune to get into one will have some negative physical effect as a result. Whether it is just a minor fender bender or serious, multi-car crash, your body will absorb the force. Chiropractic treatment for car accidents at our chiropractic office in Sterling is unique to each individual to get the maximum benefit possible.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Neck, shoulder, and back injuries are some of the most common issues chiropractors see after a car accident. Whiplash occurs when your cervical spine is abruptly “whipped” backward and then forward, knocking it out of alignment. This injury often happens as the result of a rear-end collision when the recipient doesn’t know it’s coming. Along with the whipping effect comes muscle stiffness and pain in the days and weeks after the accident. Sometimes, when a driver or passenger sees the impact coming, they will tense up their muscles in anticipation.  This can cause them to end up with strained back muscles, neck muscles, or shoulder muscles.

Chiropractic Car Accident Treatments

While your chiropractic treatment for car accidents in Sterling will be customized to match your specific injuries, some of the more common treatment methods include:

• Spinal manipulation
• Muscle stimulation and/or relaxation therapy
• Specific exercises to address the area
• Lifestyle advice to address ergonomic issues that cause pain

Every chiropractic treatment plan for car accidents will include a thorough consultation to determine the main issues and the best course of action to find a solution. Since everyone’s body is different, and every car accident is different, the treatment must be customized to the individual to achieve lasting results.

Addressing the Cause

Although the specific treatment protocols will vary, the overriding concept of addressing the cause first remains the same. Typically, when someone is experiencing pain as the result of a car accident, the idea is to mask the pain with pain medication. While this may provide immediate pain relief, the problem that is causing the pain is probably still there.

Our Sterling chiropractor will investigate and get to the underlying cause of the pain. Contact our team today with any questions that you have.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Car accidents are an unfortunate part of life that many of us have to experience, and while the vast majority are not serious, they can still cause lasting effects. Back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain can linger and transform into chronic conditions that last for years. Follow these car accident tips from a Sterling chiropractor to minimize the effects.

Prevention Is the Best Medicine

Naturally, avoiding car accidents altogether is the best way to ensure you remain injury-free. Not all car accidents can be avoided, but you can take measures to reduce the likelihood. Avoiding the distraction of cell phones is probably the most practical piece of advice. Put it down and leave it out of sight while you’re driving, keeping both hands on the wheel.

It’s also a bad idea to drive when you are tired, upset, or angry. Experiencing strong emotions or struggling to stay awake while operating a motor vehicle is only asking for trouble. If you live in an area that sees a wide range of weather, drive according to the conditions and stay a few miles below the speed limit when possible. Take the time to keep your brakes and tires in good working order.

A Healthy Body Heals Faster

Keeping your body in good physical condition is another car accident tip from that’s worth following. If you maintain a good fitness level, and your body is strong and flexible, you’ll have a much easier time recovering from most car accidents. That’s not to say you should anticipate being in a car accident, but along with its many other benefits, a healthy body will also help in this department. Any type of regular exercise that helps strengthen your muscles and improves flexibility is great.

Get Checked Out Quickly

Whether you are in great shape, poor shape, or somewhere in between, it’s important to get your injuries checked out as soon as possible after a car accident. If you wait, scar tissue can become a permanent part of your muscles and tendons, reducing your range of motion and causing pain. If you don’t feel that your injuries warrant a trip to the emergency room, at least book and appointment with our Sterling chiropractic team at Alternative Wellness Clinic to ensure you don’t have injuries that may turn into chronic conditions in the future.

At Alternative Wellness Clinic our team is here to help answer your questions.  Please feel free to contact us today.