Whiplash Treatment from Woodlands Chiropractic in St. Cloud, MN

How Do I Know if I Have Whiplash?

Common symptoms of whiplash appear within 24 hours of the injury. Typically, women are more at risk than men, but whiplash can happen to anyone regardless of age. If you are experiencing whiplash, you may feel:

• Stiffness or pain in the neck
• Headaches
• Feeling dizzy or have blurred vision
• Body weakness and tiredness

You may also have trouble concentrating and experience issues with memory. Some will notice a slight ringing in the ears or general irritability. It is important that if you are experiencing pain that has spread to the shoulders and arms, or if you feel tingling or numbness in your arms, you seek professional help immediately.

How Is Whiplash Treated?

There are many different options that can help relieve the symptoms of whiplash as quickly as possible. Patient education is stressed and often movement is emphasized with the use of an exercise or stretching plan. Ice and heat may be used to control any muscle spasms. Spinal manipulation has been shown to be the single most effective treatment available. In some cases, physical therapy and massage can also be beneficial. Your expert team at Woodlands Health & Performance can examine your symptoms to create a customized treatment plan that best manages your whiplash injury.

While rare, severe cases of whiplash may require medical care, as an addition to your treatment plan. Typically this will include anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, trigger point injections and, epidural spinal injections. It’s important to note that these methods should only be used for short-term pain relief. While they may increase comfort, they cannot restore normal function which only proper chiropractic care will do.