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Charlotte chiropractors handle whiplash with care
Chiropractic care for whiplash is something informed Charlotte NC residents seek after having experienced an automobile accident. It is a sad truth that most of us will be in an auto accident at some point in our lives. When you add the changeable Charlotte weather into the equation, the risk of having an accident increases. The question is, will you or a loved one sustain a serious injury?
Handling auto accident injuries
Anyone involved in an auto accident should seek treatment as soon as possible. If there is a chance you may be seriously hurt, go to the Emergency Room at your local hospital to be sure you did not sustain any fractures or life threatening injuries. In most cases, whiplash injuries affect soft tissues such as muscles, disks, and ligaments, and cannot be seen on standard X-rays. Absent evidence of more critical injury, your emergency room doctor may prescribe medication for neck or back pain.
Whiplash
Whiplash, also called neck sprain or neck strain, is a common term for neck injuries in which the joints between vertebrae in the neck, discs, ligaments, muscles and nerve roots are damaged. Whiplash is caused by an abrupt jerking motion of the head, either backward or forward, common results of a car accident. The full range of whiplash symptoms may not be immediately apparent; people with whiplash injuries typically develop one or more of the following symptoms, usually within the first few days after the injury.
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Low back pain
- Headaches
- Pain in the shoulder or between the shoulder blades
- Pain or numbness in the arm and/or hand
- Dizziness
- Ringing in the ears or blurred vision
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering
- Irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue
How is whiplash treated?
In the past, whiplash injuries often meant immobilization in a cervical collar. However, chiropractic care for whiplash today encourages early movement, instead of immobilization. Your experienced Charlotte chiropractor may apply ice for the first 24 hours, and then assist with safe and gentle movement. Pain medication may mask some of your neck and back pain, but chiropractic care for whiplash addresses the cause of your pain. With skillful manipulation and massage, and any necessary spinal adjustment, chiropractic care for whiplash provides your neck the corrective support it needs to heal its soft tissue damage.
Do not delay
The longer you wait after an accident to consult your Charlotte chiropractor, the longer it generally takes to get better. Auto accident injuries, if left untreated, can lead to chronic neck or back pain, spinal degeneration, and a host of other problems for years to come. Unfortunately, many people who were at fault for their accidents are so afraid their auto insurance will go up that they do not seek treatment even if they are in serious pain.
The caring doctors at ChiroCarolina® in Charlotte NC encourage you to make use of your personal injury protection. It is a big part of the reason you have auto insurance in the first place! Most insurance companies do not raise your rates after one, or even two, accidents in the same year. The ChiroCarolina® staff can help with your insurance claims, and stand ready with support throughout the process. Visit ChiroCarolina or call for an appointment today!
Seeking chiropractic care for whiplash is the smart thing to do after an auto accident. Spinal injuries left untreated can cause a host of problems for years to come, or even the rest of your life. You owe it to yourself to get chiropractic care for whiplash from the Charlotte chiropractors at ChiroCarolina®!
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