Common Whiplash Symptoms – Can Chiropractic Help Me?

In this article I want to address some common facts about whiplash injuries from car accidents.  Some of these facts you may already know but others may surprise you.

• It is very ordinary to experience a delay in the onset of whiplash symptoms following a car accident.  The delay in symptoms could be hours, days, or sometimes weeks.
• The idea that if your car does not suffer damage then there can be no injury to your neck, back, or other parts of your body is entirely false.
• People can suffer concussions if they hit their head in a car accident.  However, it is important to keep in mind that you can still experience a concussion from whiplash without hitting your head.
• If your head or body is turned during a car accident it can worsen the whiplash injury to your neck and/or back.
• If you initially experience whiplash symptoms that go away on there own it’s still a good idea to be evaluated by a practitioner who specializes in manual therapy, such as a chiropractic physician.
• One of the most important factors for treatment is receiving it as soon as possible after the whiplash injury.

I want to expand on the last point.  Many studies have been conducted following the response to treatment for those who have experienced whiplash injuries.  A common finding has been that how patients symptoms are at 3 months post injury will be how they are 1 year and 2 years post whiplash injury.  Thus, if we can help someone become neck pain, back pain, or headache free by 3 months post whiplash injury that is how they will be 1-2 years from now.  Thus, the first 12 weeks post injury is by far the most crucial period of time to receive treatment.  If one waits for a month to see if symptoms get better on their own you have lost 4 weeks of this crucial window to receive treatment.  Research shows that the manual therapy performed by chiropractors is the most effective treatment for whiplash injuries.

At my chiropractic clinic in Roseville, I provide care for whiplash injuries and whiplash symptoms.  If you would like to experience relief from whiplash pain and be seen today, contact my office to schedule an appointment.  We serve patients in Roseville, MN, Saint Paul, MN, Arden Hills, MN, Shoreview, MN, and Falcon Heights, MN.