What Type Of Doctors Treat Whiplash?
These days it seems as though there are more cars on the roads than necessary, and unfortunately a jammed interstates is not the only problem plaguing commuters. Over 65,000 people were injured on Virginian roads last year, with the majority of occurrences happening in dense urban zones such as the Washington DC metropolitan area. Located in Virginia’s fastest-growing county, Sterling residents are familiar with congested highways and the accidents that frequently bring traffic to a halt. So if you find yourself as the unfortunate victim of an auto accident collision, and left wondering what type of doctors treat whiplash? Then our RxWellness team would be more than happy to consult with you and explain how our chiropractor treats whiplash, Sterling, VA. If you are suffering from whiplash and you do not want to rely on painkillers, then the chiropractors at RxWellness Sterling, VA can help.
What Is Whiplash?
Among the types of injuries resulting from a car accident, whiplash is one of the most common. When a sudden acceleration occurs, such as in a rear-end collision, the body moves forward in the seat, while the head is thrust backward. This is followed by the abrupt movement of the head, first forcibly forward then backward. It is the extreme backward (hyperextension) and forward (hyperflexion) motion that causes damage to various structures in the neck, including muscles, nerves, tendons, and intervertebral discs.
Anyone involved in an accident should receive a thorough examination immediately to identify any possible injuries, which may not be always apparent. Once you have consulted with a chiropractor, and a diagnosis has been made, a look at various whiplash treatment options in Sterling, VA will help identify the best course of action. At RxWellness, we focus on drug-free treatment options, and may administer massage therapy, exercise therapy, or chiropractic adjustments as needed.
Whiplash Symptoms
In some cases of whiplash, pain is felt immediately after the accident, but in most cases, patients may not report any discomfort until several hours to several days after the initial incident. Oftentimes, when we are involved in overly stressful situations, our bodies go into a state of shock and we are unable to immediately feel the full force of our injuries. Pain is not always a reliable indicator of injury, which is why it is always strongly recommended to get a full medical examination by a certified professional, as opposed to merely assuming everything is fine.
Whiplash is typically reported as affecting the neck, but in addition to the neck, pain may also radiate through the upper back and shoulders. Other symptoms of whiplash may include
- Headache
- Stiffness or reduced mobility
- Tingling or numbness
- Dizziness
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty swallowing
In addition to physical symptoms, patients with whiplash may also experience psychological effects including memory problems, anxiety, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Typical Treatments For Whiplash
When considering whiplash treatment in Sterling VA, many patients consider practitioners who practice either conventional or holistic medicine, and some patients may choose to work with both. Conventional approaches typically involve prescription medication and surgical procedures. While holistic approaches focus on relieving pain by targeting the root causes of the problems.
Various pharmaceuticals including over the counter drugs are used to reduce the pain caused by whiplash. However, when you take pain medication for whiplash, you are not dealing with the main cause of the problem, you are simply blocking your ability to feel the symptoms. Depending on the severity of the condition, patients may receive nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, steroid injections, or anticonvulsants. The use of these drugs should be monitored for potential negative drug interactions or other undesirable effects.
The innumerable side effect associated with taking medication, either over the counter or prescription, is one of the main reasons people consider chiropractic care. Chiropractors treat whiplash by targeting the discomfort without the use of medication or invasive procedures. For example, when a patient is involved in an auto accident collision, the force might cause a painful misalignment of the neck, or whiplash. Painkillers cut off your ability to feel the pain, but once the painkillers wear off, the pain often returns. The RxWellness chiropractors treat whiplash by realigning the neck and correcting the posture. Depending on the severity of the injury, they might also have the massage therapist complete some soft tissue work to help relax the painful muscles of the affected area.
Other modalities such as heat and cold therapy may be integrated into whiplash treatment. Ice is effective for easing acute pain and reducing inflammation, while hot packs increase circulation to promote healing. These can be applied at home and depending on the severity of your pain, your doctor might also recommend them after a treatment session.
Chiropractic Care For Whiplash with RxWellness
RxWellness and our chiropractors focus on noninvasive drug-free methods to pain management and injury recovery. By specializing in holistic treatments for musculoskeletal disorders, they can increase mobility and restore normal mobility and joint functions without the need of drugs or invasive procedures. At RxWellness in Sterling, VA, our chiropractors aim to treat the source of pain, so you leave the office in much better shape than when you arrived. The goal is always to treat the root of the pain, so when the symptoms subside it is because the injury is healing, not because you are unable to feel it.
After you suffer an injury, the goal of your very first visit with RxWellness is to reduce your pain and get you to a point where you can function without constant pain. This is usually achieved through spinal manipulation, which are specifically targeted thrusts done by the chiropractor to restore the cervical vertebrae to its proper position for improved stability and healing. The doctor may also do some soft tissue work to treat patients who prefer a more gentle type of manipulation. Trigger point therapy is another method for relieving pain due to muscle tension.
The many benefits of soft tissue work make it important for whiplash treatment in Sterling, VA. In addition to working out painful trigger points, soft tissue work can promote a state of relaxation and wellbeing which also has natural painkilling effects. It also enhances flexibility and improves circulation for an accelerated healing process.
Once you consult with the doctor, they will create your wellness plan. They might also recommend transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, which involves the application of electric currents via small electrodes placed on the skin. As the currents interact with nerve cells they reduce signal transmission and bring pain relief. After you consult with the doctor’s at RxWellness in Sterling, Va, they will customize a treatment plan for you and recommend the best course of action for your treatment.
Contact Us
If you have been searching for whiplash treatment in Sterling VA, let the dedicated team at RxWellness Spine & Health show you some drug-free treatment options that will also have you feeling pain-free. So you no longer need to wonder what type of doctors treat whiplash because you now know that the RxWellness chiropractors treat whiplash, Sterling, VA. Our doctors have been providing effective chiropractic care to the Sterling-Herndon-Reston area for over 25 years. If you have any questions or concerns we will be happy to answer them for you. Feel free to give us a call at 703-904-9666 or request an appointment online to begin your journey to optimal drug-free healthcare.