Whiplash Injury and Upper Cervical Chiropractic

What is a whiplash injury?

Whiplash occurs when a person’s head moves backward and suddenly forward with great force. This injury is most common following a rear-end auto collision.

However, it can also result from physical abuse, sports injuries, or even amusement park rides.

Some people with whiplash get better within a few months by following a Foundational Corrective care plan that includes upper cervical chiropractic care, corrective exercises, natural anti-inflammatories, and curve correction therapy.

However, some people have chronic neck pain and other long-lasting complications, including disc herniations and connective tissue damage.

Photo by Michael Jin on Unsplash

Symptoms of whiplash injury?

Signs and symptoms of whiplash usually develop within days of the injury and may include:

· Neck pain and stiffness

· Worsening of pain with neck movement

· Loss of range of motion in the neck

· Headaches, most often starting at the base of the skull

· Tenderness or pain in the shoulder, upper back, or arms

· Tingling or numbness in the arms

· Fatigue

· Dizziness

Less common symptoms associated with chronic whiplash include:

problems with concentration and memory
ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
inability to sleep well
irritability
chronic pain in the neck, shoulders, or head

Are there any complications associated with a whiplash injury?

Some people with whiplash experience chronic (long-term) pain or headaches for years after the event that caused the initial injury.

Doctors may be able to trace this pain to damaged neck joints, discs, and ligaments. Chronic pain following a whiplash injury typically coincides with not receiving corrective care that heals the affected tissues in time.

Traditional vs. Upper Cervical Chiropractic

To understand what we do, we first must be clear on what we don’t do. A conventional chiropractor’s goal is to:

Increase range of motion
Reduce muscular spasm
Relieve or reduce pain

Most chiropractors take the traditional approach and do a great job at it. However, this type of care falls under symptom relief or symptom management, otherwise known as “band-aid” care.

At Foundation Chiropractic, we utilize Upper Cervical Chiropractic and state-of-the-art equipment to determine the presence of a Foundational Shift of the spine, which is typically the underlying cause of various secondary conditions (symptoms) you may be experiencing.

A whiplash injury can lead to a Foundational Shift of the upper spine.

What does that mean for you as the patient?

If a Foundational Shift is detected, our Foundational Chiropractors will create an individually tailored and calculated correction plan to restore your spinal alignment to a normal range.
Low-force Foundational Correction — no popping, twisting, or cracking.
Long-term correction –our goal is for the patient to maintain the correction rather than needing to be adjusted repeatedly. SEE AND FEEL the difference.

To further understand the nature of a Foundational Shift, consider that if a house has a poor foundation, you may find it leads to cracks in the walls, windows that do not close correctly, and floorboards that creak.

One may choose to continuously address these individual issues (symptoms) by filling in the cracks, lubricating the windows, and hammering another nail on the floor.

However, the reality is that these individual issues will likely continue recurring until the underlying cause (foundation) is corrected.

When to see an upper cervical chiropractor for a whiplash injury

See your upper cervical chiropractor if you have neck pain or other whiplash symptoms after a car accident, sports injury, or further traumatic injury.

Unlike traditional chiropractic, there is no neck cracking or popping, which can be extremely helpful for those who experience a whiplash injury and are very sensitive to pain.

It’s essential to get a prompt and accurate diagnosis and to rule out broken bones or other damage that can cause or worsen symptoms.

Photo By Paolese

How the procedure works

Your care plan depends on the severity of your whiplash injury. If a Foundational Shift is detected, our Foundational Chiropractor will create an individually tailored and calculated correction plan to restore your spinal alignment to a normal range.

Low-force Foundational Correction — no popping, twisting, or cracking.
Long-term correction –our goal is for the patient to maintain the correction rather than needing to be adjusted repeatedly. SEE AND FEEL the difference.

To further understand the nature of a Foundational Shift, consider that if a house has a poor foundation, you may find it leads to cracks in the walls, windows that do not close correctly, and floorboards that creak.

One may choose to continuously address these individual issues (symptoms) by filling in the cracks, lubricating the windows, and hammering another nail on the floor. However, the reality is that these individual issues will likely continue recurring until the underlying cause (foundation) is corrected.

Dr. Brett Berner reviews the patient’s xrays prior to the adjustment is delivered.

Takeaway

Very few people have any long-term complications from whiplash. Usually, recovery time is anywhere from a few days to several weeks.

However, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, most people recover fully within three months.

Whiplash can be managed naturally with upper cervical chiropractic care. Call or text our office at 813–578–5889 to schedule a complimentary consultation or book online here .

Dr. Brett Berner consulting with a new patient.

Disclaimer: Dr. Berner does not diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical diseases or conditions; instead, he analyzes and corrects the structure of his patients with Foundational Correction to improve their overall quality of life. He works with their physicians, who regulate their medications. This blog post is not designed to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, or services to you or any other individual. The information provided in this post or through linkages to other sites is not a substitute for medical or professional care. You should not use the information in place of a visit, consultation, or the advice of your physician or another healthcare provider. Foundation Chiropractic and Dr. Brett Berner are not liable or responsible for any advice, the course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or product you obtain through this article or others.