Whiplash FAQs

At Skaggs Chiropractic, LLC, whiplash is one of the most common reasons we see patients in our office. It can be a tricky condition, sometimes appearing days after the original injury. Most whiplash patients have questions about their condition when they come in for treatment. Here are some of the most common:

What Causes Whiplash?

While most whiplash cases are associated with car accidents, it can be caused by any number of circumstances. Whiplash is caused by anything that makes your head suddenly snap forward, then snap backward at a rapid speed. That sudden, quick force can tear the muscles and tendons in your neck, resulting in a condition called whiplash.

How Can the Chiropractor Help With Whiplash Pain?

Our chiropractor will give a variety of treatments, depending on the stages of whiplash you're experiencing. At the very beginning, he'll use ultrasound and gentle stretching to help reduce inflammation. As the pain decreases and the inflammation begin to go away, Dr. Skaggs will perform gentle manipulation on the neck to help restore normal motion. We may also use therapeutic massage or trigger point therapy to help in the healing process.

What are the Symptoms of Whiplash?

It's hard to ignore whiplash symptoms because they affect your daily lifestyle so severely. Some of the most common are:

• Pain and tightness in the neck, where the muscles feel hard and knotted
• Pain when you try to move your head backward and forward or from side to side
• Tenderness on the entire neck
• Headaches that start at the base of the skull and move toward the forehead. 

Whiplash pain can happen immediately after the accident or might appear hours or days afterward. In some of the worst cases, it can also cause dizziness, memory problems, sleep disturbances and even problems concentrating on everyday tasks.

Is it Important to Seek Treatment Immediately After Getting a Whiplash?

If you're tempted to try treating your whiplash at home, it can be a big mistake. Without proper treatment, whiplash symptoms can worsen, often staying for weeks and even months. The faster you contact our office for an appointment, the sooner we can start treating you to begin your healing process. Delaying treatment can allow the injury to get worse, as muscles around the damaged area begin to compensate for the pain, causing the surrounding tissues to strain and become painful, as well.

Looking for a Joplin Chiropractor? Call Us Today!

If you've suffered a whiplash and you're looking for pain relief, our dedicated team is happy to help you along the road to recovery. Call our office at 417-624-4242 for an appointment today.