Chiropractic Treatment for Whiplash in Franklin, TN
Car accidents happen an estimated every 60 seconds in the USA! Chances are high you or someone you love has been involved in a motor vehicle accident before. A common injury you will hear someone experience after an accident is “whiplash,” which is the instant forward and backward motion of the head in response to the impact of another vehicle. It can happen when you are hit from behindrom the side. If the neck experiences this sudden movement, the muscles get overstretched in one direction and then reflexively tighten, sending the head back in the opposite direction.
This quick motion can cause headaches, neck pain, and damage to the muscles, ligaments, nerves, and joints in that region. The time it takes to bounce back varies based on numerous factors and is significantly impacted by your age and trauma history. Injuries due to whiplash can occur immediately or can take 24 hours to manifest.
Seeing a chiropractor is the best way to combat the adverse effects of whiplash since it causes subluxation in the body. When one of your vertebrae knocks out of the correct position, it leads to dysfunction in the spine, creating pressure on the nerves. Chiropractors are specifically trained to look for and treat subluxation by getting to the root cause of the issue. If you have been in an accident, you must get your spine checked as soon as possible.
How We Treat Whiplash in Franklin, TN
Comprehensive Exam
We first want to meet with you to discuss your case and thoroughly gather all the information regarding the accident. This will help us begin to identify the main concern and make the best recommendations for care.
A comprehensive examination will help us determine the best course of action to help you get back to how you were before the accident. The doctor will test orthopedic, functional movements, and neurological markers to diagnose you correctly.
Specific Chiropractic Care
When a spinal vertebra jars out of its correct position, it can cause significant issues that damage the nerves, specifically in your neck. The applied force that occurs in an accident strains your neck either back and forth or side to side, causing a subluxation. If left unaddressed, that misalignment can lead to further symptoms such as chronic pain, disc degeneration, and reduced range of motion.
Chiropractors are trained experts in finding and correcting cervical misalignments, so it does not lead to further nerve irritation and swelling. There might be existing subluxations that were not painful before but have been exacerbated by the jarring accident. The doctors can adjust the spine through specific adjustments to help align all the joints, muscles, and nerves surrounding it, ultimately reducing irritation and inflammation.
Usually, immediate relief occurs once the subluxation is corrected. Going to a traditional doctor for nerve damage does not help since no medication or injection can solve a physical issue. Chiropractic care finds the root cause and allows the body to return to a healthy position.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Program
At Mission Health Center, we are huge proponents of proper stretching and strengthening exercises for any treatment protocol; however, it is especially imperative for those who have experienced whiplash. If we increase our mobility, we increase the blood flow to that area which expedites the tissue healing process.
By moving, our bodies are expressing health, so getting back to a full range of motion is vital. We begin slowly and work up to building resilience and stability in and around our spines to lessen the chance of it reoccuring. This helps us get you back to where you were before the accident.
Once we understand your case and goals, we will create a custom plan of specific ergonomic changes you can make at home and work, a customized stretching routine that will immediately reduce your neck pain, and a stabilizing strength program to get your cervical spine to get back to proper alignment. By going through our customized rehab plan and sticking to it, you will safely and effectively increase your healing potential.
Nutrition and Supplements
It is proven that eating a diet consisting of processed foods and excess sugars can cause high levels of inflammation in the body making your muscles more susceptible to pain and injury. The inflammation can reduce your range of motion and decrease your body’s ability to adapt quickly to recover from a significant stress like whiplash.
Some of the common foods that induce inflammation are:
- Chemically sprayed produce
- Alcohol
- Packaged snacks
- Excess sugar
- Processed meats
- Conventional dairy
Consuming a nutrient-dense diet, including anti-inflammatory foods, is vital for decreasing inflammation and improving your body’s ability to heal from the inside out. Eating in a sustainable way that becomes part of your lifestyle is important so that you do not regress by coming off a particular “diet.”
Some of the best anti-inflammatory foods that can help reduce inflammation after an accident are:
- Vegetables – dark, leafy green veggies are most beneficial, like romaine, kale, or swiss chard
- Healthy fats – coconut oil, nuts, avocados, grass-fed butter
- Clean meats – wild-caught fish and free-range chicken
- Nourishing starches – sweet potatoes or quinoa
A few great supplements to help decrease inflammation and reduce pain are:
- Turmeric
- Magnesium
- Collagen
- Boswellia
Common Whiplash Symptoms
Concussions
Concussions are a common side effect of a car accident when whiplash is involved. When your head gets moved in a quick back-and-forth or side-to-side motion, the brain gets knocked around against the interior of your skull. It can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, remembering things, confusion, etc. It is vital to get evaluated by a professional immediately if any of these symptoms present themselves following a whiplash experience.
Neck Pain
Obviously, neck pain can be another common effect of whiplash due to the rapid movement of your neck. The thrusting of your neck can lead to disc, nerve, joint, or muscle damage, so it is essential to get to a chiropractor as soon as possible following a car accident to get evaluated and help you recover quickly. The doctor can help realign the bones to help regain range of motion and ultimately relieve the neck pain.
Headaches
Headaches may also be due to a concussion as well, but you can have them without necessarily having a concussion. If you have undergone whiplash, it can cause all sorts of damage to the tissue, muscles, and bones in your neck and back. The nerves and muscles in the back of your neck can cause tension headaches if left unaddressed. To tell if it is a headache related to the injury, you must be examined to ensure you get the correct treatment to prevent them from getting worse. 80% of people who have whiplash after an accident continue to have chronic headaches. Stabilizing those bones and discs as soon as possible is vital for prevention.
Shoulder Pain
Painful shoulders can be another symptom of whiplash since the nerves that run down from your neck go into your shoulders. Especially when your head gets jerked side to side, shoulder aches and tension may arise. Making sure you relieve that tension is essential, so the damage to your tissue does not worsen.
Back Pain
General back pain following an accident can induce disc injuries like a bulging or herniated disc. When those disc muscles tear, it irritates the nerve and can radiate pain through the nerves’ pathways. You could experience numbness, pain, tingling, or tension down your legs or arms, depending on which nerves have been affected. Seeing a chiropractor can help you recover quicker and allow your discs to get realigned, so further symptoms do not ensue. Lumbar decompression can also help to lessen the pressure on the jarred discs letting them rehydrate and receive the blood flow they need to heal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Mission Health Center help with whiplash?
Yes! We will perform a 12-point neuroskeletal examination to determine the best course of action to get your spine back to optimal health by supporting it through the healing process. Our staff will help communicate with the insurance and legal issues, so you do not have to figure it out alone.
After an accident, should you see a chiropractor?
Most definitely, and the sooner, the better, since waiting only allows your symptoms to worsen. Addressing the issues right away will help prevent further damage and potentially turning into a chronic issue. Reviewing your case thoroughly will help determine a customized treatment plan for your unique needs.
Will massage help with whiplash?
Massage can help relieve tension and help improve the range of motion following an accident. However, it does not address the root cause of the whiplash. To get your muscles and bones back to fully functioning, you will want to make sure you are getting adjusted in tandem with massage to maximize your healing process.
When should you go to a chiropractor after a car accident?
As soon as you can! Your recovery time will improve significantly if you take action right away versus waiting until your issues worsen. By seeing a chiropractor soon after, your body will more readily adapt to the adjustments and heal quicker since it is getting the necessary support. If you wait, the recovery time can be much longer since the injury has become chronically difficult to manage.
Will your whiplash symptoms worsen over time?
Absolutely. The longer you wait to address the issue, the longer the problem has time to get worse. Cervical, lumbar, and pain traveling down your arms and legs are definite indicators of an underlying issue, usually relating to a pinched nerve. If there is nerve damage, it can take months, years, or even decades to heal, so being seen by a chiropractor should be a priority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a chiropractor good for headaches?
Yes, absolutely. Several clinical trials have indicated that chiropractic adjustments may help treat headaches. One study reported that the patients who receive chiropractic care experienced a 90% reduction in their headaches. Another study of 729 subjects at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College found that 613 received chiropractic adjustments and their outcomes ranged from good to excellent. Our doctors are trained to identify the cause of your headaches and create the proper course of care to correct the cause.
When should you see a chiropractor for headaches?
You should see a chiropractor for headaches as soon as possible when you first begin to feel any signs or symptoms. The symptoms you are experiencing are a warning sign that the body sends to help notify you that something is wrong. By covering up the symptoms and not getting to the root cause, you may delay your healing and alter your body’s ability to function properly.
Can getting your spine adjusted help with headaches?
Yes, especially with the high prevalence of headaches that originate from the neck region of your spine, commonly brought on by poor posture, lack of proper nutrition, and stress. At Mission Health Center, we see many patients get long-term relief from their headaches with corrective chiropractic care.
What is the natural way to relieve tension headaches?
The most natural method for reducing tension headaches includes:
- following an anti-inflammatory diet, reducing gluten consumption, and taking vitamins such as a B-complex and magnesium
- performing specific stretches and trigger point work your neck muscles
- having your spine checked by a chiropractor to assess your posture
- making sure you are staying hydrated
Who is the best chiropractor in Franklin, TN, for headaches?
The doctors at Mission Health Center have successfully cared for 10’s of thousands of patients with headaches. Our process involves getting to the root cause of your headaches and coming up with a solution that best aligns with your goals and our findings to help you achieve success and live a pain-free, headache-free life.