Chiropractic Care for Whiplash in Louisville KY

One of the most common injuries seen at a chiropractic office in Louisville KY is whiplash. Each year, there are about one million cases of whiplash in the United States resulting from car accidents, sports injuries, falls, or other trauma to the neck. The symptoms of whiplash can be very debilitating and include neck or back pain, headaches, dizziness, stiffness, fatigue, memory loss, visual disturbance, and numbness in arms or hands.

Typically, whiplash is caused by a sudden jolting motion of the head, usually because of an accident. While most treatment options, such as pain medication, hot and cold therapy, run-of-the-mill exercise programs, or massage, can help to ease the symptoms, they only offer short-term pain relief and don't address the underlying issues. It's estimated that 75% of people who get whiplash will get better, while 25% will have long-term effects. A chiropractor can perform a thorough evaluation and develop an individualized treatment plan that can not only help to ease your pain but also address the underlying cause of the pain.

At TRICORE Healing Center, we aim to offer gentle chiropractic adjustments to help relieve the pain and tension associated with whiplash. We also work with our patients on postural correction and strengthening exercises to help prevent future injuries. In the neck, there are structures that can be damaged or injured from whiplash, such as the joints, muscles, discs, and nerves. Each of these structures produces different types of pain, and it's vital to consult with a chiropractor in Louisville to have a comprehensive evaluation to determine the source of your pain and the extent of the damage from whiplash.

Common Myths Surrounding Whiplash in Louisville KY

Whiplash is common following a car accident, but you can also get it from other types of traumas to the neck, such as a sports injury, fall, or head jolt. It's essential to address the pain early on as it can lead to long-term effects if left untreated.

Myth 1: I feel fine and have mild to no pain, so I'm OK

Just because you feel fine immediately after an accident doesn't mean you haven't sustained an injury. Pain is not always a good sign of injury because only 5-10 % of nerves send pain signals to the body. Just like someone can have 60-90% of their artery clogged and not experience any symptoms but then suffer a terrible heart attack. If the damage or injury is not affecting the nerve that transmits pain signals, you may not experience any pain. In addition, even in a low-speed rear impact collision of 8mph, the head can move to up to 18 inches and experience a force of more than 7 G's in less than a second. In the real sense, the Space Shuttle Discovery was made to withstand a maximum of 3G's.

Myth 2: I saw a doctor, and he said I'm fine. He sent me home with anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxers, so I believe I'm okay!

Hospitals have a different definition of "you're fine." They will perform a very cursory exam and may take some x-rays to check for fractures or internal bleeding because their main concern is to rule out life-threatening injuries. They are not concerned with misalignments in your spine or neck or any damage to the muscle, which can cause long-term effects. When you're put on medication, things may seem fine on the surface, but the underlying issues, such as inflammation, muscle spasms, and pain, are still present and may cause problems down the road. Recent studies at the Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden showed that rapid change in the spine pressure could cause damage to the nerve. The rapid change in the spinal fluid causes pressure damage to the nerve because the force that occurs during a rear impact happens so fast to allow a normal fluid exchange.

Myth 3: It was a "minor" fender, and there's minor damage to the vehicle, so I guess I'm alright!

Car manufacturers spend enough resources to ensure that their vehicles can withstand a certain amount of force in an accident. However, your body is not as sturdy as a car. Even in what seems like a minor fender bender, the force of the collision can cause severe damage to your spine and neck.

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