Whiplash

Whiplash is a unique condition that can require several different therapies, including chiropractic care. The most effective treatment for whiplash injuries is a combination of chiropractic care, rehabilitation of the soft tissues and taking care of yourself at home.

At the Chiropractic Lifestyle Center, Dr. Cory Koch will examine you and help lay out a detailed plan of recovery. He will also let you know if you need to consult different medical specialists to aid in your recovery. In most instances, recovery starts with chiropractic care.

Chiropractic care utilizes manual manipulation of the spine to restore the normal movement and position of the spinal vertebrae.  It is by far the single-most effective treatment for minimizing the long-term impact of whiplash injuries, especially when coupled with massage therapy, trigger point therapy, exercise rehabilitation and other soft tissue rehabilitation modalities.

In addition to chiropractic adjustments, you will also need soft tissue rehabilitation. Soft tissue simply refers to anything not bone such as muscles, tendons, ligaments nervous system, spinal discs and internal organs. Chiropractic care can play a large role in improving the overall health of your nervous system, which will help the body heal itself, but you may also require other treatments such as massage therapy, electro-stimulation, trigger point therapy, stretching and specific strength and range of motion exercises.

However, in cases of whiplash, chiropractic care and soft tissue rehabilitation will be limited if what you do at home or work stresses or re-injures you. So it is important that you take steps between clinic visits to aid in the healing process. Some of the more common home care therapies are the application of ice packs, limitations on work or daily activities, specific stretches and exercises, taking nutritional supplements and getting plenty of rest.

In some severe cases of whiplash, you may find it necessary to take some medication as part of your overall treatment plan. These therapies should be used for short-term relief of pain, if necessary, and not be the focus of treatment.  After all, medications cannot restore normal joint movement and stimulate healthy muscle repair.