Whiplash is a common injury that typically results from an auto accident where the person is rear ended and the head and neck is whipped backward and then forward rapidly. Over the past few years, it has been commonly called Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD). It can lead to missed work, inability to participate in daily activities, difficulty sleeping, and acute and chronic neck pain.

Chiropractic care for whiplash is a proven method of treatment which can result in less pain and improved function. Whiplash associated disorder can result in tendon or ligament injury along with neck or back musculature problems along with distubring the normal cervical spine alignment. Radiographs and even MRI’s don’t always display a verifiable injury when whiplash occurs. Unfortunately there are 3 million whiplash injuries yearly from car crashes and a resulting twelve to eighty six percent end up chronically symptomatic from the injury.

In certain cases, whiplash could lead to bulging disks with radiating pain to the arms, shoulders, hand, and maybe the traps. Initial workup includes a visit with the chiropractor where a detailed history, physical, and neurologic examination are performed.

Along with this, radiographs and/or an MRI may be ordered by chiropractors to ensure no other abnormalities like an instability or fractures get missed. Usually therapy plans entail spinal manipulations, rehab exercises, stretching, and potentially cervical spinal decompression therapy. A complete chiropractic plan may also include massage, laser therapy, electrical stimulation such as a TENS unit, and heat/ice.

A Phoenix chiropractic doctor could recommend and teach more lifestyle changes in order to assist with longer lasting benefits. One of the main problems along with whiplash is how it affects and damages the facet joints, which represent the smaller joinst on each side of the neck. Along with treatment from a chiropractor, it can be helpful to have the individual seen by a Arizona pain center doctor to do interventional pain treatments on the facet joints, called facet injections (facet blocks). These facet injections (facet blocks) along with the physical therapy and chiropractic care, can help the individual to be pain free and functioning better.