Whiplash

The term whiplash refers to the injury which occurs when the neck is hyperextended and hyperflexed during a whip-like motion which occurs when the body is in motion and is abruptly stopped. This whip-like motion stretches and strains the soft tissues in the neck such as ligaments and muscles out of their normal range of motion, injuring the area.

Most commonly, whiplash occurs during rear end vehicle collisions, but can also happen during sports, falls, while riding a roller coaster, and in a myriad of other situations, as well. Individuals can also incur whiplash injuries in auto accidents which occur at unbelievably low speeds – as slow as five miles per hour! For this reason, many whiplash sufferers do not even realize they might be injured until symptoms appear much later.

Our chiropractors recommend all individuals involved in rear end collisions visit a chiropractor as soon as possible after an auto accident to begin treatment right away in order to mitigate the severity of whiplash symptoms.

Symptoms of Whiplash

Though some patients experience whiplash symptoms soon after an accident, many often do not even realize they have a whiplash injury until days or even weeks after the injury incurs because whiplash symptoms do not always present themselves immediately. Scheduling a physical examination with our chiropractor result in an immediate diagnosis and allow you to begin treatment right away, if you do have whiplash.

Symptoms of whiplash commonly include:

  • Stiffness and pain in the neck, shoulders, and upper back
  • Worsening of pain with movement
  • Limited range of motion or flexibility in the neck and shoulders
  • Headaches
  • Tingling or numbness in the arms and shoulders
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue

In some cases of whiplash, sufferers also experience:

  • Changes in eyesight or blurry vision
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Irritability
  • Insomnia
  • Diminished ability to concentrate
  • Memory loss
  • Depression

Left untreated, whiplash symptoms often worsen over time, as scar tissue forms and the injury heals incorrectly and unaided.

Whiplash Treatment with our Chiropractor in Beaverton

Our chiropractors, Dr. Kathy Cantwell and Dr. Justin Jelen help patients find relief from whiplash with chiropractic care specifically adapted for whiplash treatment. Using a combination of holistic treatments including gentle spinal adjustments, myofascial therapy, acupuncture, and even nutritional counseling to help patients eat with the intention of healing, Dr. Cantwell and Dr. Jelen help to accelerate patients’ recovery processes. These gentle techniques help the soft tissues of the neck, shoulders, and upper back heal properly while restoring a normal range of motion. Patients enjoy immediate relief from symptoms and improved overall health over the course of their treatment.

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), also known as Scraping Technique, is a very effective technique in which Dr. Justin Jelen utilizes stainless steel instruments designed to help him locate and treat various musculoskeletal injuries. IASTM is influenced by Gua Sha, a similar technique which has been an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years.

IASTM is successful at effectively treating almost all soft tissue injuries—including acute, chronic, and post-surgical. This technique is utilized to break down scar tissue, reduce muscle spasms/tightness, and improve blood flow; the effect of this is to collectively bring more oxygen into the tissue, therefore helping it heal faster. Various instrument shapes, sizes, and edges enable specific, localized treatment for all regions of the body and all body types.

This allows Dr. Jelen to deliver targeted treatment at problematic scar tissue and restrictions in fascia (the connective tissue bands that separate muscles from each other), which can lead to a faster rehabilitation and recovery. Such specific treatments with IASTM can be very effective and beneficial to eliminate pain, restore range of motion, and regain normal function.

Relevant IASTM coursework in which Dr. Jelen has been trained:
Graston Technique

Whiplash FAQs

Whiplash symptoms can range from mild pain to chronic neck pain and stiffness. The most common cause of whiplash is rear end collisions, but you can also get whiplash from a slip and fall or sports collision. At Unity Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Beaverton, OR, we have ample experience treating whiplash injuries. These FAQs explore more about whiplash causes, symptoms and treatment.

What causes whiplash?

Whiplash is a common car accident injury resulting from a rear end collision. The sharp impact on your vehicle can cause your head to snap forward and back abruptly, leaving you with soft tissue neck injuries. Although whiplash is mostly associated with auto accidents, it can also occur from slip and falls, sports collisions, bungee jumping, and even roller coaster rides.

What kind of damage can whiplash cause?

Whiplash can produce multiple injuries in your cervical spine and back almost instantly. These injuries range from torn muscles and ligaments, to misalignment of cervical bones, joint damage, and herniated discs.

What are the symptoms of whiplash?

Neck pain, inflammation, stiffness, and soreness are some of the most common symptoms of whiplash. You may also experience migraine headaches, dizziness, or numbness. Whiplash pain can limit your range of motion and mobility, making it difficult to perform daily tasks or even sleep.

If I don’t feel neck pain immediately after an accident, should I still see a chiropractor?

Some people feel pain right away while others have delayed symptoms. A visit to our Beaverton, OR chiropractor can determine if you have this car accident injury so you can get immediate treatment.

How does chiropractic care help with whiplash?

f your whiplash pain is caused by misalignments in your neck or spine, our chiropractor will use adjustments to correct these issues and restore balance to your system. This will help reduce neck pain, migraine headaches, and other painful symptoms. Realigning your cervical spine is the first step toward restoring body function and helping neck muscles to heal.

Combining adjustments with complementary therapies like massage and corrective exercises can promote quicker healing of your injury. Massage relieves muscle tension to minimize pain and inflammation. Corrective exercises help restore neck strength, range of motion, and flexibility.

Why should I choose chiropractic whiplash treatment?

Dr. Jelen will fully explain all parts and exactly what to expect from your treatment sessions. Oftentimes during a treatment session with IASTM Dr. Jelen with utilize a couple of the instruments to address various sides and angles of a body part. Treatments with these instruments can range from very light to moderately deep pressure, and often feel “tender but nice” or “hurts so good.”

See Our Beaverton Chiropractor for Chiropractic Whiplash Treatment

To schedule a consultation for diagnosis and treatment of whiplash, contact Unity Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Beaverton, OR at (503) 747-3388.

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