Whiplash and How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Don’t let an auto accident leave you dealing with long-term neck problems.

We know how everything stops the moment you get into a car accident. The adrenaline is surging and you may feel shaky and unstable; however, if you don’t notice any visible cuts, bruises or other injuries then you may not have thought about getting a medical evaluation (even though it’s always a good idea to have a doctor check you out immediately after an accident). Our Tampa, FL, chiropractors Dr. George Kollias, Dr. Autumn Scaz and Dr. Elizabeth Gionfriddo are here to tell you the warning signs that you might have whiplash and how chiropractic care could help you handle the pain of whiplash.

What is whiplash?

During a car accident, particularly if you’ve been rear-ended, you may have found that your head and neck were suddenly jerked backwards or forwards. When this sudden and violent movement occurs it can put stress and strain on the neck, leading to a painful condition known as whiplash.

What are the symptoms of whiplash?

Whiplash symptoms don’t always appear right away. Sometimes the symptoms sneak up on you after the course of hours or even days after your accident. The most common complaint of whiplash is neck pain. Depending on the severity of the accident, pain may be minimal or it can be extreme. Along with pain, you may also notice stiffness, limited mobility, weakness or even pain that radiates down to your shoulders. Some patients also report numbness or tingling in the neck and shoulders.

How can a chiropractor help me?

It’s important that you seek care for your whiplash to promote healing while also managing your symptoms more efficiently. Chiropractic care can be an effective, non-invasive way to treat your symptoms without turning to medication, which only masks the problem and temporarily alleviates pain and discomfort.

Our Tampa, FL, chiropractic specialists have received specialized training to be able to perform a variety of manipulation techniques to help adjust and realign areas of the spine. By applying the proper amount of force and pressure to these regions, we can realign the vertebrae in the neck while also boosting oxygen and blood flow to the areas to make sure they are getting the nutrients they need to speed up healing.

Chiropractic adjustments (also known as spinal manipulations) can also improve how the joints within the neck move and function, reducing stiffness and restoring full range of motion and flexibility. Multiple chiropractic adjustments may be necessary and most patients experience some relief after just one session.

If you have just gotten into a car accident, had a bad fall or experienced a sports injury, our team of chiropractic specialists here at Sheldon Road Chiropractic & Massage Therapy in Tampa, FL, is here to help. Schedule an appointment with us today.