Whiplash - Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Passengers in automobile accidents often suffer whiplash, whether it is readily apparent or takes months to surface. This condition occurs when your neck is suddenly and rapidly hyper-extended and then immediately hyper-flexed.

When you are involved in a rear-end collision or any other high-speed impact, your body very quickly passes through four phases that result in damage to the discs and vertebrae, as well as your muscles, nerves and ligaments in your neck. The result of this damage can be neck pain, low back pain, fatigue, headaches and shoulder pain. It is important to note that the symptoms can manifest immediately or even months after car accidents or other high speed accidents.

Diagnosis and Treatment

This damage is often difficult to diagnose due to the severe and complicated nature of the condition and there is no one simple test used to diagnose it. Physical palpation of the neck area by our chiropractor, Dr. Cacic, may help in determining the location or severity of your injury, and a physical examination will also help in determining the diagnosis.

Whiplash can happen in a fraction of a second, but it takes much longer than that to treat. The best course of treatment begins with visiting our chiropractor who is familiar with the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. A combination of self-care, chiropractic care and rehabilitation of the affected soft tissues will eventually heal the affected area. Unfortunately, many of those who suffer from this condition never fully recover and they can suffer from some disability or pain for the rest of their lives.

Lake Worth whiplash treatment begins with our chiropractor who will use manual manipulation techniques on your spine to help restore its normal position and movement. This is the most effective treatment of this condition, and when combined with massage and trigger point therapy, as well as exercise, chances of recovery are good.

Always seek medical help when involved in an auto accident injury. If you suffer from an auto accident injury or any other condition causing neck pain or other areas of pain, contact our Lake Worth chiropractor, Dr. Jack Cacic today for a consultation so that you can begin living your life pain free.

Have you suffered whiplash? What were your symptoms and how did you find relief?