Whiplash is neck pain that is the result of an injury to the soft tissues of your neck, particularly in the ligaments, tendons and muscles. It is caused by a jerk to the head in any direction backward, forward or sideways. The injuries can manifest in stretched or torn neck muscles or ligaments, bulging or ruptured discs, misaligned vertebrae and the loss of the neck’s normal forward curve. The condition may cause acute or chronic neck pain.
Whiplash really is more common than most people realize. Millions of people suffer whiplash in varying degrees of severity every year. However, no matter how little pain or discomfort you are in you should always take the condition seriously. Some of the symptoms include headaches, fatigue, burning sensation around the neck area and most commonly a pain in the shoulders or neck. The pain can also appear in the jaw, back and arms. So you should be aware that neck pain isn’t the only symptom of whiplash. Alaska back and neck pain clinics will be able to diagnose it better and to advise you the best course of treatment. The good news is there are several treatment options available for whiplash.
Whiplash therapy is usually a combination of chiropractic care, physical therapy, massage therapy or advanced treatments including the Multi-Cervical Unit (MCU). The duration of treatment will vary in according to the seriousness of the injury. According to recent surveys, 60% of whiplash victims recover in the first 4 weeks after the accident. However, in some cases, the symptoms of whiplash - particularly pain and stiffness in the neck, and associated back problems - can afflict the sufferer for months after the injury. Occasionally the pain and discomfort can become chronic. This prolonged pain and discomfort has an adverse effect on daily life; it can severely compromise one's working life and may cause anxiety and depression. As part of the treatment, Anchorage Chiropractic care examines the cervical spine and evaluates motion. Any loss of motion could be the result of a subluxation located in the neck region. A subluxation is a vertebra that is out of position or is �stuck� due to stiff muscles, bulging discs or even scar tissue. Left untreated, subluxations will worsen, starting or causing further stiffness, arthritis, pain, numbness, loss of mobility and loss of strength. Physical therapy typically utilizes physical rehabilitation, which is a powerful tool for treating and even preventing injury, disease or disabilities. These hands-on, non-invasive treatments reduce pain, improve mobility and speed up the rehabilitation process.
Anchorage Massage therapy is used to alleviate pain, improve blood supply to tissues and speed recovery time. Massage therapy is often used before or after various treatments. Licensed massage therapists use their hands to work the body’s soft tissue, including the muscles, tendons and ligaments.
One of the most successful treatments for whiplash is the multi-cervical unit (MCU). This comprehensive therapy not only assesses the problem, it also helps whiplash patients rebuild neck strength � one of the most important steps in alleviating negative, long-term effects.
Whiplash is the most common cause of neck pain affecting 3-5 million Americans annually, many of whom are looking for whiplash therapy. If you are looking for modes of treatment for your whiplash pains, visit: http://www.betterhealthalaska.com.
