Whiplash Specialist

What is whiplash?

Whiplash is a painful injury to your neck that’s usually the result of a car accident in which you’re hit from behind while stopped at a red light or standing still. Sudden impact from behind without warning causes your head to jerk backward and forward with force. This sudden jerking motion strains the soft tissues in your neck and can cause serious pain.

Failure to treat whiplash properly so your neck muscles and tissues heal can lead to chronic physical symptoms as well as affecting your emotional health and well-being. It’s not uncommon that men and women who suffered whiplash experience depression and anxiety. Since the team at Arbor Vitae Wellness Center takes a holistic, whole-person approach to your health care, they treat your whiplash pain from a patient-centered perspective -- physically, mentally, and emotionally.

How can I tell if I have whiplash?

Symptoms of whiplash usually appear within 24 hours of injury and include headaches and stiffness in your neck. Other signs of whiplash include:

• Neck pain
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Tingling in your arms
• Trouble sleeping
• Irritability
• Decreased range of motion in your neck
• Difficulty concentrating

Depending on the severity of your injury, it may take a few months to fully recover from whiplash. The team of Chiropractors, Naturopathic doctors, Acupuncturists, and massage therapists customizes a treatment plan to help you get relief as your neck heals.

What is the treatment for whiplash?

After an initial diagnosis of the severity of your whiplash, your individualized care may include a number of therapies, such as Chiropractic adjustments to gently realign your neck and help minimize pain as you heal. Additional whiplash treatment can include:

• Alternating ice or heat therapy
• Exercises and stretching
• Massage therapy
• Physical therapy
• Acupuncture

Research indicates that too much rest and immobilization of your neck, which was once thought to be helpful, can actually lead to chronic pain and long-term whiplash symptoms. Your health care team advises you which exercises and movements are helpful in your healing process and which ones to avoid until your neck feels better.

If you were in a car accident or experienced an injury while playing a sport and you have the symptoms of whiplash, call the compassionate team at Arbor Vitae Wellness Center to get prompt care. You can also make an appointment online.