Whiplash Specialist

What is whiplash?

Whiplash is an injury caused to the neck due to sudden and forceful impact while in a stationary position.

Typically caused by motor vehicle accidents, it is the result of a sudden force that leads to a rapid and unrestrained forward and backward movement of the head and neck.

While not life-threatening, whiplash can be painful and result in a prolonged period of immobilization or disability.

What causes whiplash?

The most common cause of whiplash is a motor vehicle accident. Typically, the person inside the car is stationary but is hit by another vehicle at the rear, causing a sudden impact and a to-and-fro movement on the neck.

This sudden force impacts the lower bones in the neck and hyperextends them while the upper bones are hyper-flexed, leading to an abnormal S-shape in the cervical spine. The movement causes severe damage to the soft tissues that hold the cervical vertebrae together.

What are the symptoms of whiplash?

Some common symptoms of whiplash include:

• Pain in the neck
  
• Stiffness
  
• Headaches and dizziness
  
• Fatigue
  
• Back pain
  
• Weakness in the jaw
  
• Visual and aural disturbances

In more severe and chronic cases, you may have additional symptoms like depression, anxiety, anger, stress, and insomnia, among others.

How is whiplash treated?

Treatment of whiplash depends on the severity of your injury and your symptoms. Seattle Chiropractic Spine & Injury Center specializes in auto injury treatment and conducts comprehensive examinations to assess the severity of your whiplash.

In addition to a physical exam, the team at Seattle Chiropractic Spine & Injury Center may also request diagnostic tests to further evaluate your injury, which may include X-rays or an MRI.

Seattle Chiropractic Spine & Injury Center also offers in-office advanced diagnostic imaging, including Myovision ScanVision™ to find the exact location of abnormal muscle activity and DynoROM™ to find the areas in the neck where the muscles are failing.

Treatment for your whiplash may include:

• Chiropractic care
  
• Activator Method®
  
• Exercise rehabilitation program
  
• Posture therapy
  
• Ergonomics

In most cases, you should experience improvement in your whiplash within a few weeks of starting treatment. If conservative measures fail to relieve your symptoms, Seattle Chiropractic Spine & Injury Center may refer you to a specialist to assist in your care.

For management of your whiplash, contact Seattle Chiropractic Spine & Injury Center by phone or through the online booking tool today.