Chiropractor - Neck Pain and Those Poor Body Aches

When the body goes through an accident, it typically causes the body to go into protection mode and tighten up the muscles when the impact is about to occur. This is one of the worst things that a person can do at such a time. People that are under the influence during an accident are typically not hurt as bad because their response times are slower and their bodies are more relaxed. While drinking is not something that is suggested at all, allowing your body to relax during an accident can bring some definite advantages.

The head gets thrown forward and backwards when the impact occurs and when the airbag explodes at more than two hundred miles per hour the people in the car will be hit in the face and chest area directly. While the airbags do save lives, as it has been proven, it also causes very visible injuries that are noticeable almost immediately.

When the accident occurs, the head is typically forced into a movement that causes pulling and strain to the neck muscles and it nearly always results in a headache on the spot. As the car comes to a stop the body is jerked from side to side and can cause damage to the lower and mid back and hip area. These types of pains often show up after the accident has occurred due to the overwhelming pain from other injuries that have occurred and are felt more instantly.

When the emergency room begins their evaluation they will typically treat the pains with pain killers and muscle relaxers. While this does work to take the edge off of the injury, the underlying injuries are left to heal by themselves. Many times the body will require other help to eliminate the long term damages that have been caused.

It can be very stressful to visit the chiropractor for the first time. Many people worry about what the chiropractor will do that cannot be done at a regular doctor's office. They are often also concerned with getting physical treatment and not using medication to help. The chiropractors have been educated intensively on the structure of the body and how it works internally and they are also licensed to practice these types of services. They are extremely familiar with the muscle groups and what is necessary to speed up the healing process in the body.

Once the initial x-rays and exam are completed the chiropractor will put together a plan for treatment that will almost always take effect immediately. The treatment plan may include manipulations, sonic vibrations with heat packs, and massage therapy. The manipulations are what most people fear because it can be heard. It is just like cracking your knuckles. It allows the bones to align and it causes the muscles to relax around the joints. It is not painful but it can be a source of fear for those that have not been to a chiropractor before.

Immediately after the collision, until the specialist can be seen, the person should be extremely careful. The Fort Collins Chiropractor that specializes in bodily injuries that are affecting a person's daily activities and overall health is often the best path to follow. Living in chronic pain is not something that is necessary when a simple phone call can get the sufferer some relive.

Whiplash Injuries and Chiropractic Care

The term whiplash is used to describe injuries to the neck muscles that are caused by a sudden jerk of the head backward, sideways and or forward like what happens in most accidents. No matter if the injury took place as a result of a sports injury, an accident at the workplace or in a car accident, the injury should be treated with chiropractic treatments. Whiplash injuries can be tricky as they do not always show up immediately and can take years to develop. There are some basic symptoms of whiplash that include blurred vision, irritability, nausea, pain between the shoulder blades, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, difficulty swallowing, and pains I the neck or stiffness in the neck. When someone begins to experience such side effects they should get to a chiropractor to have a checkup.

One of the best choices to cure whiplash is to take advantage of the mechanisms that the chiropractor has in place to help with neck sprains. The focus of the chiropractic care that deals with curing whiplash is to treat the spinal discs, improve muscular strength, reduce muscle spasms, and optimize the motion that is available in the spine.

Applying a general treatment path for whiplash is not possible as the signs and complexities are different depending on the person and what they went through. This makes the chiropractor apply specific treatments that will help to treat the dysfunctions from the injury and it is designed by looking at the results of the chiropractic exam.

Of the many different treatments that are applied, many of the chiropractors will use the following types of treatment:

1. Chiropractic Manipulation to Treat Whiplash: One of the most common whiplash treatments for chiropractic adjustment, joint dysfunction, or manipulating the spine involves moving the injured joint gently on in short bursts in the direction that it has become difficult to move it in. This is done by the chiropractic doctor so no more damage is created.

2. Muscle Stimulation or Relaxation as a Treatment For Whiplash: This chiropractic treatment technique uses stretches that are gentle of the muscles that are tense and sometimes forcing the inhibited muscle to contract. A more vigorous stretch routine may be put in place if the muscles are extremely tight and the chiropractic doctor feels it is necessary.

3. Miscellaneous exercises for Whiplash: There are several different exercises that are used for whiplash that include Stabilization/Sensorimotor exercise and McKenzie exercises. These are used as a portion of the chiropractic care in cases of injuries like whiplash.

The McKenzie exercises have been created to cut down on disc derangement that is a result of an injury like whiplash. It requires simple movements to be made in the injured area and is typically taught by the chiropractor and then practiced at home.

Stabilization and sensorimotor exercise techniques are used to correct any flowed movement patterns that occur during activities that are routine and are part of a person's normal life. It trains the nervous system to control the movement patterns and to coordinate which improves the ability of the neck muscles to control the stability in the neck area.

Lifestyle and Ergonomic changes: All of these treatments are designed to minimize any strains in the body while going about the daily activities that a person has. The advice from the chiropractor will be to avoid or minimize the impact of activities that are completed through the day at work, home, or during any recreational times that affect the whiplash injury. More importantly, the chiropractor will teach the injured person how to go about their day with "self use" in mind so they do not cause more damage or more pain. They also use stress reducing techniques as part of the chiropractic treatment if it is necessary.

When a person is treated for whiplash by chiropractic professionals, they may be asked to perform treatments that have been described here as well as other treatments. They may also be referred to another medical professional in order to get the best treatment possible for their injury.