When you experience whiplash, your body is jolted by a force that often overextends the neck--similar to the effect of cracking a whip. In some cases, the movement may be subtle enough that you do not know you are injured until later, when you feel neck pain or back pain. At Healthy Habits Wellness Clinic with offices in Meridian and Caldwell, ID, our chiropractors use advanced chiropractic techniques to help patients recover from injuries caused by accidents or other injuries.

Whiplash Symptoms and Causes

One of the most common causes of whiplash is a car accident, usually a rear-end collision. Even low-speed, minor fender benders can cause whiplash. The impact of the accident throws your head and neck forward, then quickly back. High contact sports, such as football, can also lead to this type of injury. In football, tackles are often the main sources of action causing whiplash.

Symptoms can appear within a day or may not appear for weeks or months. Neck pain and a stiff neck are two of the most common symptoms. You may also experience headaches and dizziness. In some cases, particularly if it is left untreated, symptoms can include trouble sleeping and memory issues.

Chiropractic Treatment

At Healthy Habits Wellness Clinic, our chiropractors, Dr. Kimball Lundahl and Dr. Stadler have years of experience treating patients experiencing pain due to accidents. To treat whiplash, our chiropractor combines chiropractic techniques such as spinal manipulation with corrective exercises to relieve pain, strengthen neck muscles, and improve mobility.

The advanced spinal adjustment techniques our chiropractors use are more comfortable and gentle than traditional techniques. Our team will adjust your neck to alleviate pressure on the nerves and ease your pain. In addition to adjustments and manipulations, exercise, massage therapy and hot/cold treatments will also relieve the symptoms of whiplash.

Our chiropractors will teach you exercises and stretches that you can perform at home to reduce pain and improve the range of motion in your neck. You can put ice on the neck area at home to reduce swelling and pain as well. A heating pad will help your muscles relax, making it easier to perform physical therapy exercises and stretches.

Have you suffered neck pain due to a car accident or other injury?