When it comes to discomfort, most people turn to medication for relief. Unfortunately, when it comes to whiplash caused by an accident, this go-to solution might not offer any benefit. Learn why medication does not always work for this type of injury, and what you can do for relief.
Understanding Whiplash
Whiplash is a common accident injury. When a person is involved in a collision, particularly a rear-end collision, their body is pushed forward forcefully. In some instances, the head and the body will move at the same time. However, for people with whiplash, at the point of impact, their body shifted forward first, which caused their head to forcefully rock backward and then forward.
This aggressive movement targets the nerves, ligaments, muscles, vertebrae, and tendons within the neck. For people with whiplash, neck pain and stiffness, dizziness, and a limited ability to rotate the neck from side-to-side are common. In some cases, whiplash can also cause pain in the arms, fatigue, and a ringing sensation in the ears.
Problems with Medication
A leading reason why medication is not always the ideal solution for whiplash treatment is the fact that the injury is directly related to alignment. When the head aggressively shifts forward and backward, this impact shifts the ligaments in the neck out of place, which is commonly referred to as hyperextension.
Given the injuries, medication will primarily only help treat the discomfort caused by the injury. It will not help target the real problem, which is the alignment issue. For this reason, people who only treat whiplash with medication sometimes find that they have to deal with the symptoms longer, as the medication is only masking the injury.
Long-Term Recovery
The ideal solution for long-term recovery from whiplash is a treatment option that directly targets the alignment concern. Chiropractic care is a treatment solution that can offer this benefit. Chiropractors use a variety of methods to help correct the alignment. Some of the techniques commonly used include stretching, spinal manipulation, and muscle energy therapy.
Over time, these methods help correct the alignment and relieve the tension that the whiplash caused, which combined, help minimize the discomfort the individual experiences. As a result, chiropractic care often offers a better long-term recovery option.
It's always best to let a healthcare professional diagnose your condition and determine the best course of treatment to resolve and manage your injuries. Contact a chiropractor to learn more about whiplash treatment.
