You have probably seen those commercials: a somber-looking accident attorney asks if you have been in a car accident, then starts droning on and on about the many physical problems that can result. Even the most minor fender bender, he tells you, can result in years of pain and suffering―usually due to a condition called whiplash.
Whiplash occurs when your head gets thrown back and then forward in an aggressive manner, causing the soft tissues of your neck to strain and stretch out of their normal range of motion. This can happen during a physical altercation, a sporting event or even on an amusement park ride. But the most common cause of whiplash is a rear-end collision. Symptoms usually start a few hours after the accident, with headaches,pain,dizziness,and stiffness of the neck and shoulders being the most frequent. In most cases, whiplash injuries heal within a few weeks.
Some experts argue that the pain attributed to whiplash may actually be due to common degenerative conditions that would have worsened over time regardless. There’s also research suggesting that whiplash has been blown out of proportion by lawyers and alternative-care providers who stand to profit from accident claims and long-term treatments.
If you suspect you might have whiplash, we can help. After assessing your injury, we will design a program that addresses both the pain and the underlying mechanisms that may be causing it. Using passive techniques that enhance healing and relieve discomfort, we’ll get you to a place where you feel ready to start moving again. Then the real work begins: strengthening your body and adjusting your posture and body alignment to improve the function and movement of any damaged soft tissues.
Your injuries may not be as severe as that attorney on television claims they are; your pain may be just as much the result of bad habits as a recent accident. But the cause is not important. All that really matters is that you feel better quickly and help your body defend itself against future neck and back injuries.
If your neck hurts, make an appointment with us to get started on the road to recovery. We can put you in the driver’s seat toward achieving a healthy neck and back.
