Each year more than six million automobile accidents occur in the United States. As a result, around 3 million people annually suffer from some type of injury related to an automobile accident. One of the most common injuries is whiplash. Whiplash can be a result of even minor car accidents. Contrary to what some people believe, whiplash can be very serious and debilitating for those that are affected by it.
If you have recently been in a car accident or even if you were in an accident months or years ago, and are suffering from any of the following symptoms, you very well could have whiplash. Whiplash can show up immediately or develop over time.
- Neck pain
- Stiffness in the neck or shoulders
- Shoulder pain
- Fatigue
- Tension or irritability
- Dizziness
- Blurred Vision
- Recurrent headaches
- Vertigo or ringing in the ears
- Numbness and/or pins and needle sensation
- Nausea
- Back pain, mainly lower
- Pain in feet or hands
- Pain in arms or legs
- Anxiety
Believe it or not, all of these symptoms can be related to whip lash. Many people suffer needlessly from these symptoms for months, years and even for the remainder of their life, not knowing that chiropractic care can be the answer.
If you have been in a car accident, it is a good idea to visit a chiropractor as soon as possible. Chiropractors are well educated and trained alternative doctors that specialize in the care of the musculoskeletal system. Their thought is that misalignments in the nervous system can cause a whole slew of problems, including symptoms of whip lash. Through spinal manipulations they are able to correct alignment and provide patients with relief.
When you are a in a car accident your ligaments, soft tissue and vertebrae in your neck and spine very often are injured. Many people do not realize that a chiropractor can help, and instead will seek traditional medical treatment for their symptoms. While more and more traditional doctors are recognizing that chiropractic can benefit car accident patients, there are still many more that will treat whip lash symptoms with pain medication and even surgery. These treatment options very often do very little to help the accident victim heal.
When you first visit a chiropractor for whiplash, the Dr. will access your injury and very often take x-rays to help them with setting up a treatment plan that will work. In most cases the Chiropractor will provide treatment at your first visit. This will most often include spinal manipulation but can also include hot or cold treatment, massage, stretching and more. The chiropractor may also recommend some exercises or stretching to be done at home in between treatments. Before you leave your first visit, the chiropractor will recommend and start you on an intense treatment plan. More than likely you will need to visit the chiropractor often, at least in the beginning of your treatment. As your symptoms begin to alleviate, you can usually go longer in between visits. Most people will set up maintenance treatments, usually about once a month, after they have healed.
Chiropractic care is considered safe for just about everyone. Even children and the elderly can benefit from chiropractic care after a car accident. Most health insurance companies recognize the benefits of chiropractic care and most health care insurance companies do cover chiropractic treatment. Before choosing a chiropractor you will want to make sure that they accept your insurance plan and it is not a bad idea to get referrals from friends or family members.
Your Tulsa Chiropractor,
Dr. Ryan Marshall, D.C.