Neck pain can be experienced from the base of your skull to the top of your shoulders, and severe pain can spread to your arms and upper back. Neck pain can be extremely debilitating, and in addition to discomfort, it can limit your ability to move your neck and head. Whiplash injuries, which often occur in motor vehicle accidents, are a major source of neck pain.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is sometimes referred to as a neck strain, and it is caused when an impact results in your head jerking forward and backward sharply.
This sudden force results in the stretching and tearing of tendons and muscles in your neck.
Symptoms of Whiplash
Whiplash pain is difficult to ignore, as the symptoms are quite obvious:
- Pain, tightness, and decreased range of motion in the neck
- Neck muscles that feel knotted and hard
- Tenderness in the neck
- Pain when rocking the head from side to side
- Headaches that start at the base of the skull and radiate toward the forehead
Treating Whiplash
There are a variety of approaches used to treat whiplash injuries. Ice and cold therapy can be used to reduce swelling and pain immediately after the accident, and painkillers may be prescribed by your doctor. A collar or neck brace may be used if recommended by your physician, and other treatments like , ultrasound, and chiropractic care are useful.
Whiplash and Chiropractic
Spinal manipulation, which is performed by a chiropractor, is the primary treatment for joint dysfunction. It involves the gentle movement of the joint into the restricted direction. In addition to manipulation, chiropractors can also help to relieve whiplash-related neck pain by suggesting various exercises and lifestyle changes. These treatments stress improvement for performing everyday activities while placing minimal strain onto the body. Your chiropractor can also provide advice on how to deal with home, work, and recreational activities that may perpetuate the problem.