Call Us - Hunt Club613-224-2077 Call Us - Kanata343-309-9654 Book Online Today Chiropractic care for whiplash Expert care when you need it most Whiplash can be more than just a pain in the neck. Whiplash is a common but minor injury most of the time. In some cases though, it can lead to serious long-term consequences if left untreated. For most people, their symptoms will go away within a few days. For others, it can last a few months. Still others end up with chronic symptoms that last for many years or a lifetime. What is whiplash? Whiplash is an injury of the neck muscles. It occurs when the neck is forcefully and quickly thrust back and forth. It most often occurs as the result of a rear-end car accident, but is also a common sports injury or as a result of a fall, like slipping on ice. Most people experience neck pain almost immediately, but it can also take a few days before symptoms develop. It may feel sore or tender to move or even to touch the area. Consequences of leaving whiplash untreated Just like any injury, the repercussions and lasting effects of whiplash vary from person to person. Chronic pain, stiffness and loss of motion Your chronic pain could range anywhere from mild to severe. It might be localised in one spot or the entire neck area. It can even flow down your shoulder into your arm or hand. Untreated whiplash can also lead to stiffness that results in reduced mobility and range of motion. Chronic headaches and migraines Often when someone has whiplash, their neck muscles tighten, which can compress the nerves. They can also suffer a neck sprain that can pinch the nerves. Those inflamed nerves can cause chronic headaches. Migraines may flare up immediately after whiplash or in the days to weeks afterwards and can become worse without treatment. Vertigo Vertigo is a condition in which a person feels like they are falling or spinning. Vertigo is a common side effect of whiplash. In fact, one study found 25–50% of sufferers had experienced spells of dizziness as a result of suffering whiplash. Vertebral misalignment Whiplash often causes the uppermost vertebrae in the neck to move out of proper spinal alignment. More specifically, the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) vertebrae form the joint connecting the skull to the spine. Misalignment of these upper two vertebrae inhibits normal communication from the brain to the body’s central nervous system. Contact us today to schedule an appointment Name* Email* Phone* Choose location*West Hunt ClubKanata Choose service*PhysiotherapyChiropractorAcupunctureMassage TherapyDietitianYogaCold PlungeInfrared SaunaIV Therapy Message* Input this code: Thank you for requesting an appointment We usually respond within one business day. If you’ve messaged us outside of normal business hours, we will be happy to help you once we’re back. Please note that no bookings are final until we have reserved a time slot using your credit card. Hours of operation Monday to Thursday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 9:30 AM – 7:00 PM Saturday: Appointment only Sunday: Closed Please be aware of our cancellation policy. How chiropractic care can treat whiplash First, a chiropractor will evaluate your spine as a whole. After evaluating the affected area and identifying the problem areas and checking for disc injury, ligament injury and muscle spasm, your chiropractor may use a variety of techniques to treat whiplash. Chiropractic adjustment Your chiropractor will perform an adjustment or spinal manipulation with a short, controlled thrust with their hands. Or instead of a thrust, slower mobilising movements are applied. Additionally, for those who experience vertigo, chiropractic care on the upper cervical spine can provide relief. Muscle relaxation and muscle stimulation The primary whiplash treatment is muscle relaxation and/or stimulation. That includes gentle stretches and contractions of the injured muscles. McKenzie exercises McKenzie exercises are designed to lessen disc instability suffered in a whiplash injury. They are simple movements that teach the nervous system to coordinate and perform better movement patterns. McKenzie exercises enhance the neck’s ability to maintain stability and are simple enough to do at home. Specific trigger point therapy Your chiropractor can identify spinal joints that are not functioning properly. They will help to restore joint motion using a gentle thrusting technique with their hands to stretch body tissue and stimulate the nervous system. Your chiropractor may also press down on tight or painful muscle points, which will drastically help to alleviate muscle tension. Soft tissue therapy Since whiplash often involves soft tissue injury, your chiropractor can also include soft tissue therapies in the treatment plan. Therapeutic massages are one of the more common examples of soft tissue therapy. Additional therapy options Physical therapy If you have ongoing whiplash pain or need assistance with range-of-motion exercises, physical therapy might be beneficial to you. Your therapist will guide you through exercises that will strengthen your muscles. Exercise There are a series of stretches and movement exercises you can do at home to help restore your range of motion. Exercises may include: Bending your neck toward your chest Rotating your neck in both directions Tilting your head side to side Rolling your shoulders Foam collar Soft foam cervical collars are used to hold your neck and head still. A collar can help reduce the pain you feel right after your injury and provide enough relief to help you sleep at night. But don’t wear the collar for too long, because it can decrease muscle strength and interfere with recovery. Is chiro right for me? Chiropractic treatments are widely recognized as one of the safest natural drug-free treatments available. Chiropractic care can select from a broad mix of methods such as spinal manipulation therapy, muscle release therapy and many other manual and tool-assisted manipulations. Our chiropractors also have access to percussive instruments, laser therapy, shockwave therapy, dry-needling and much more. If you’re experiencing whiplash pain, a chiropractor can help to treat your injury. They will be sure to examine the underlying cause of the pain and develop a tailored treatment plan that will help you achieve short- and long-term pain relief. Contact us today to schedule an appointment Book online now