Whiplash is the catchier name for neck strain

Whiplash, or neck strain, refers to damage to the muscles and tendons in the neck, or the soft tissue that connects muscle to bone. Whereas neck sprain refers to tearing of the ligaments which connect bone to bone. The causes of both are very similar: acute injury due to forceful impact, such as that which is sustained during a car accident or a particularly heavy football tackle. 

A description of the motion that gives whiplash its name

Whiplash refers to a motion in which the head jerks suddenly forward then backwards, damaging the soft tissues of the neck in the process. Whiplash usually leaves people feeling tender, with a decreased range of motion in the neck and pain during movement. Headaches are a likely outcome as well, as nerves in the neck can refer pain to the head. In order to diagnose neck strain, we perform a comprehensive examination which will determine if any damage has been sustained during your trauma. 

In most cases whiplash heals by itself, but it can always use a helping hand

Chiropractic care offers several modalities to not only speed up the recovery process but also to strengthen the neck and prevent injury from recurring in the future. While many people find success taking painkillers or OTC drugs, this masks the pain rather than treating the source and often leaves people vulnerable to re-injuring themselves because they can’t feel the pain. We focus on a natural method for treating whiplash that shows great results.

Treating whiplash the natural way in Dunedin

Through manual therapy to the affected area, we increase circulation, encouraging the oxygenation of tissues which are looking to repair while simultaneously facilitating the outflow of lymph and other waste products. Other modalities including heat and ice can be used to further speed the healing process. Once we have dealt with the initial pain, we focus on strengthening exercises and stretches to restore range of motion and strength to the neck.