Auto accidents happen every day and can result in temporary or lasting injuries. People may experience back pain, lacerations, fractures, or neck pain. One of the main reasons for neck pain after a collision is whiplash. The chiropractors at Heartland Chiropractic Associates can help you with whiplash in Sioux City, IA, and Dakota Dunes, SD.
Whiplash Symptoms
This injury happens when the neck rapidly snaps back and forth upon impact. It's a common injury among people who are in a vehicle when it gets rear-ended. You may not realize you have this injury until days or weeks after the fact. Once those symptoms start, you can feel pain and stiffness in the neck. You may gradually develop a limited range of motion. Pain, tingling, or numbness can radiate from the neck to the arms. It can also create headaches, dizziness, and nausea.
Chiropractic Treatment for This Condition
It's a good idea to visit a chiropractor immediately after a car collision, even if you're not having symptoms. The chiropractor can give you an exam to determine if any vertebrae are out of place or if there is inflammation or tightness in your neck’s soft tissue. If your chiropractor sees something, they can begin using various techniques to loosen up the soft tissue before the neck area tightens and develops pain.
The most common chiropractic technique is the Diversified adjustment method, in which your doctors manipulate vertebrae into their correct positions. Spinal traction is another technique that may be helpful when there is a disc injury, as this creates space between the vertebrae that allows an injured disc to move back into place.
When you have whiplash in Sioux City, IA, and Dakota Dunes, SD, your chiropractor can also focus on soft tissue therapy. Massage therapy can loosen tight muscles and increase circulation. Ultrasound uses sound waves that go into injured soft tissue areas. It produces heat that can reduce inflammation and improve blood flow. As circulation improves, so can healing.
The doctors at Heartland Chiropractic Associates can help you with several conditions that are causing pain, stiffness, or misalignment. If you have whiplash in Sioux City, IA, and Dakota Dunes, SD, you can get chiropractic care even before symptoms show up. Call the Sioux City, IA, location at 712-255-9909. If you live in Dakota Dunes, SD, call 605-232-1711. Our doctors look forward to assisting you.