Whether playing sports or involved in an automobile collision, whiplash can occur in any activity that throws the back and neck back and forth at lightening speed. On Spine-Health.com,  Zinovy Meyler, a Doctor of Osteopathic medicine, writes that “whiplash is medically known as cervical acceleration-deceleration (CAD) syndrome. The symptoms of whiplash can range from uncomfortable to extreme pain. A common misconception is that whiplash is neck pain but it can also affect the back, shoulders, arms, and even can affect the emotional well being of the person.

Chiropractic care can help patients regain join movement after suffering whiplash. Donald Murphy, a Doctor of Chiropractic, informs that after a chiropractor examines a patient with whiplash they may utilize different methods of care. One being spinal manipulation which “involves the chiropractor gently moving the involved joint into the direction in which it is restricted.” It may also involve “the application of a short thrust in that [the problem] direction. In many cases instead of a thrust, a slow mobilizing movement is used.” Another method is muscle relaxation and/or stimulation where chiropractors will use “gentle stretches to the muscle that had excessive tension of repeated contractions of the muscle that is inhibited… Gentle finger pressure techniques may be applied to trigger point to relieve the pain associated with the tight muscles.” 

Chiropractors are also available to give advice on ergonomic and lifestyle changes! Putting minimal stress on the body is essential to recovery and chiropractors may make suggestions on how to handle daily activities physically and mentally.