While most of the cases of whiplash (sprain/strain injuries) that I see in my San Diego chiropractic clinic are the result of car accidents, it is also common to suffer these injuries as a result of sports injuries, falls and work accidents. Patients often look for chiropractors to treat their whiplash injuries because chiropractic provides effective, safe treatment that is natural and drug-free. If you or someone you care about has suffered a whiplash injury and want more information regarding the benefits of chiropractic treatment please read on.
Chiropractic Diagnosis Whiplash | San Diego
Before chiropractic treatment for a car accident injury can begin, the injuries that were caused by the accident have to be properly diagnosed. Since sprain/strain injuries of the spine are common, specific orthopedic tests have been developed that can be used to help determine which structures of the spine were injured. In many cases, car accident patients are examined and x-rayed at an emergency room before their visit to the chiropractor, if this is the case, it is important for your chiropractor to have an opportunity to review those medical records. Sometimes, depending on the severity of the car accident or your symptoms, it may be necessary to refer you for an orthopedic consultation or additional tests such as an MRI. It is rare that we have to refer for these services but our office has working relationships with various medical professionals and imaging centers to allow for these additional evaluations.
Whiplash Treatment With Chiropractic
Whiplash always damages the muscles and ligaments that move and support the joints and in some cases, the nerve associated with the joint is injured as well. Since treatment for sprain/strain injuries with a chiropractor specifically targets the joints, muscles, and nerves, treatment is usually successful. Your success with any type of treatment hinges on beginning your care as soon as possible following your injury. Statistics show that as many as 25% of all car accident patients never fully recover and that the majority of those don’t make a full recovery because they are among the group that doesn’t get treatment. Patients who seek early treatment and follow doctor’s recommendations regarding stretching and exercise tend to recover faster and are less likely to suffer from residual symptoms.
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