Whiplash is one of the most common auto accident injuries, but it’s also common in sports and other types of accidents. No matter how you sustain it, the team at NEOH Functional Rehab of Cleveland, OH, can help you heal and get back to life without the pain and discomfort.
Understanding Whiplash
Your muscles, tendons, and ligaments are all accustomed to moving a certain amount and at a certain speed. When the normal range or speed of motion is exceeded, it can cause injuries in those tissues.
This is the case with whiplash. It occurs when a sudden force causes the head and neck to extend beyond their normal range of motion quickly, leading to tears in the soft tissues of the neck.
If you’ve ever seen a video or demonstration of an auto collision, you’ve seen the victim's head and neck get whipped back and forth. This motion is common, especially when wearing a seatbelt because it holds the body in place during a collision. The head is free to move about on its own, so it moves forward and then back when the seatbelt locks and holds you in place. It also occurs in contact sports and other accidents.
When the neck’s tissues tear, blood rushes to the neck in an attempt to quickly repair the damage. Unfortunately, the combination of increased blood flow and the tears causes symptoms like:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Poor range of motion
- Headaches
- Blurry vision
- Irritability
- Difficulty focusing and much more
How Is It Treated?
Some people take a “wait it out” approach, assuming that whiplash will heal on its own. Unfortunately, this is often not the case. It can be difficult for the tissues to heal when there is so much inflammation. Additionally, soft tissue injuries can lead to misalignment, herniated discs, and nerve compression.
The key to healing naturally and as quickly as possible is to take a comprehensive approach. At NEOH Functional Rehab of Cleveland, OH, our multidisciplinary team combines various techniques.
- Soft tissue therapies: The first step is typically to address the soft tissues to reduce inflammation, restore range of motion, and relieve discomfort. This can include massage therapy, cold laser therapy, acupuncture, and more.
- Adjustments: Adjustments correct alignment issues, which relieves pressure from the discs, nerves, and other surrounding components.
- Physical therapy: Specific stretching and strengthening movements can help enhance healing, relieve inflammation, and restore normal range of motion.
Don’t keep suffering from whiplash. Start your recovery by calling (216) 284-3077 or (216) 721-9010 to schedule an appointment with our team at NEOH Functional Rehab in Cleveland, OH.