Whiplash treatment in Portland, OR
Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs during an auto accident when a person’s head is suddenly jerked backward and forward with great force. This causes the soft tissues of the neck to extend beyond their normal range of motion. This type of injury is usually not life-threatening but can cause long-term pain, discomfort, and partial disability.
At True Chiropractic Portland, treatment focuses on restoring movement, reducing inflammation, and addressing the areas affected by the injury so the body can recover with less strain and better stability over time.
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury, so it can occur even when X-rays show no fractures. If you have pain, stiffness, or other injury symptoms following a car wreck, call (503) 298-6866 to schedule your complimentary consultation.
Symptoms of Whiplash injury
It is not uncommon for the symptoms of whiplash injury to have a delayed onset after an auto accident. Someone with a whiplash injury experiences the following symptoms:
- Neck pain, stiffness
- Increased pain during movement of the neck
- Restricted motion
- Headaches that originate from the base of the skull
- Mild to moderate pain in the shoulder, upper back, or arms
- Numbness in the arms
Less common symptoms include dizziness, blurred vision, back pain, weakness in the forearms, and ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Sleep disturbances may also occur, along with irritability, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, anxiety, and depression.
Causes of Whiplash
Whiplash injuries are most commonly seen in car accidents, especially rear-end collisions. Since the seat pushes the person’s body forward, the head and neck snap backward and then forward suddenly. This causes a strain/sprain on the cervical spine soft tissues.
Some other causes behind whiplash injury can be:
- Physical abuse or assault: When someone is punched or shaken forcibly, this can occur, as seen in shaken baby syndrome.
- Contact sports: When football and other sports-related collisions occur, it may result in whiplash injury.
Automobile accidents: Sudden impact from a car accident can force the head to move back and forth, straining the muscles and ligaments in the neck.
Whiplash affects as many as three million Americans yearly. Most whiplash results from automobile accidents, but falls, sports injuries, and physical altercations can also be to blame.
Long-Term Problems Due To Untreated Whiplash Injury
Our chiropractors have observed that even though whiplash injury subsides by itself, there may be some long-term effects.
- Severe neck pain
- Restricted range of motion
- Pain that spreads to the arms
The following risk factors have been linked to a worse outcome in Whiplash injuries.
- Previous history of whiplash
- Older age
- Pre-existing low back or neck pain
- A high-speed collision or injury (example-in road traffic accidents)
You should seek immediate medical attention if numbness and weakness spread to your arms and shoulders or if you feel pain while moving your head.
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