Vehicle Accidents & Whiplash Treatment in Warwick
Supporting Your Recovery From Whiplash
Your body can ache all over following even a minor vehicle collision. Whiplash, which affects the soft tissues of the neck, can leave you feeling stiff and exhausted on top of being in pain.
Whether your whiplash is a result of a vehicle accident, a sports injury, or another cause, we’re here to help you find relief from your pain through customized, hands-on treatment.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a result of the head jerking backward and forward suddenly under major force. It’s a sprain of the neck’s muscles and ligaments.
Typically, symptoms crop up within 24 hours of the inciting incident, but sometimes it may take a few days to feel the full effects. While whiplash symptoms may resolve within weeks, in some cases, they can last months or years.
The symptoms of whiplash include:
How Can a Chiropractor Help With Whiplash?
Our goal at your first appointment is to learn what you’re going through and whether we can help you in your whiplash recovery. In your initial consultation, your chiropractor will discuss your symptoms and talk about your goals for treatment.
Next, your doctor will perform a chiropractic examination, testing your reflexes, your ability to turn and bend, and other standard neurological, orthopedic, postural, and physical examinations. That said, we will not do anything during your assessment without your consent.
Sometimes, we’ll take X-rays as part of our full evaluation, so we can rule out more serious conditions and create an effective treatment plan for you.
Sharing Our Recommendations
During your appointment, your chiropractor will give you a report of findings to answer 3 key questions:
- Can you help me?
- What do you recommend that I do to get better?
- How much is it going to cost?
If we believe we can help, we’ll explain our recommended treatment plan. If you have a condition that requires care from other providers, the doctor will let you know.
Treatment at the First Appointment
Patients will generally be provided with their first treatment at the end of the appointment. This may include spinal adjustments (including spinal decompression), physiotherapy treatments, and/or soft tissue therapies.
For whiplash, an effective spinal manipulation is often a slow movement of your neck to address pain and restricted movement, though every person’s needs vary. Your chiropractor may also perform gentle stretches and trigger point pressure in the relevant areas.
Treatment is interactive, so you can always express any concerns you have about the style of adjustment or ask questions about the procedure.
Ongoing Care & Wellness Program
Finally, we’ll provide you with a wellness program to follow at home that may include stretches, exercises, the application of heat or ice, and adjustments to your lifestyle that can support your recovery from whiplash.
Chiropractic works best as a phased approach, beginning by addressing pain, progressing to corrective care, and finally becoming about maintaining wellness through a series of appointments. Learn more about what to expect from chiropractic care.
