Your Whiplash And Chiropractic Care Guide
Soft tissue damage can cause major discomfort and limited mobility. While there are many types of soft-tissue damage, one of the most common is whiplash. If you would like to know more about whiplash and how chiropractic care can help, keep reading.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is an injury to the neck, and it is commonly associated with car accidents. However, any action that may cause extreme neck movement may cause whiplash, including high-impact sports and falls.
Whiplash develops when your head is forced to extend forward and then immediately forced to extend backwards. This can cause damage and injury to the soft tissue, like tears, strains, and sprains. Irritation may even put pressure on nerves.
What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash?
In some cases, the symptoms of whiplash don't immediately appear. For this reason, you should seek medical treatment to determine the extent of your injuries before accepting any settlement. The most common symptoms include:
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Reduced range of motion
- Pain with neck movement
- Tenderness in the shoulder
Some patients, however, may also experience fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, and memory problems. These may be an indication of a brain injury. Depending on the force, the brain may move enough to hit the skull during extreme neck movement.
How Can Your Chiropractor Treat Whiplash?
The irritation caused by whiplash can put pressure on joints. This may cause restricted joint movement, muscle spans, ligament injuries, and intervertebral disc injuries. Chiropractors can use a variety of treatments and modalities to treat the pain.
Some treatments, like massage therapy or muscle stimulation, can help relax tight, irritated muscles, reducing strain on joints. Other treatments may include:
- Manipulations
- Stretching
- Soft-tissue therapy
- Trigger point therapy
Will Insurance Cover Treatment?
Some medical insurance policies cover chiropractic care. You may or may not need a referral. However, if you have whiplash from an accident, the auto insurance carrier may pay for treatments. In this case, you usually don't need to worry about your medical deductible or co-payment.
If the other driver caused the accident, their insurance may cover your medical bills. If you caused the accident, your insurance may cover you if you have med pay coverage, but you can also consider PIP and umbrella insurance.
If you have whiplash, a chiropractor can help relieve pain and promote better mobility. Insurance may cover some or all of the cost. For more information on whiplash chiropractor care, contact a professional near you.
