Whiplash is a term commonly used to describe the soft tissue injuries that occur to the neck of a person following a motor vehicle accident. While it is mainly used to describe the injuries to the neck, many patients feel symptoms in other areas of the body as well, such as the mid-back, low-back, or arms.
Other symptoms of whiplash may include, but are not limited to
- ringing in the ears
- headaches
- dizziness
- visual disturbances.
Whiplash not only affects the muscles, but the bones and joints as well. Therefore, it is important to address all of these structures when creating a treatment plan for the patient. In our office, we use passive modalities (heat, ice, electric stimulation, and ultrasound) to decrease muscle spasms and increase circulation to the area, both of which promote healing.
Our doctors perform chiropractic adjustments to the injured areas to improve joint position, joint function, and range of motion. Finally, rehabilitation exercises are performed with our patients in an effort to re-train the muscles, improve muscle strength, and prevent future injuries.
Several factors affect treatment duration for a patient. These include: patient gender, age, lifestyle, and compliancy to treatment. Just like no two patients are the same, no two injuries are identical either. Therefore, it is very difficult to determine an exact length of treatment for each patient. However, updates will be provided to each patient throughout the course of their treatment, to ensure the patient is always informed of their progress.
If you are suffering from back, neck or arm pain, or any of the other symptoms mentioned above, please call us now at 985-542-1640 to schedule an appointment.