Whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) are a set of symptoms that occur following a whiplash injury. The disorder may involve a range of symptoms, including acute neck pain, restricted neck movement, dizziness, blurred vision, pain in the arm, upper back, and shoulder, extreme fatigue, and concentration challenges.
At Peak Spine + Wellness, we use different chiropractic techniques to identify and treat WAD. Our chiropractor will document your accident’s details, assess the onset symptoms, and tailor a specific therapy to administer. Book an appointment today in Fargo, ND, to start treatment for Whiplash Associated Disorders.
Common Causes of WAD
While WAD commonly arises from neck injuries caused by car accidents, people can also see its symptoms after:
- High-impact sports accident
- Sudden falls
- Amusement park ride
- Jobs that involve repetitive motions or heavy lifting
The symptoms vary, depending on the impact force, neck position at the injury time, and the individual’s overall health and physical condition.
How Do Chiropractors Diagnose WAD?
Your chiropractor will ask questions about the event and your symptoms to diagnose the injury. The practitioner will:
- Examine the range of motion in your neck and shoulder
- Assess the motion degree that causes pain or worsens the pain
- Check Reflexes, strength, and sensation in your limbs
- As for X-ray to get clarification on which specific therapy to administer
Chiropractic Treatment for Whiplash Associated Disorders
Depending on the nature of the whiplash injury, a chiropractor might use different techniques for WAD treatment. Some of the treatment methods include:
Spinal Manipulation
The technique involves identifying and positioning the misaligned neck joint back into the correct position. Your chiropractor will correct the misalignment by gently moving the affected joint in a constrained direction.
Sometimes the practitioner might apply swift and gentle thrusts in the right direction or a slow mobilizing movement.
If the whiplash injury has aggravated a bulging or a herniated disc, the chiropractor will use the flexion-distraction technique to ease the pain.
Muscle Stimulation and Relaxation
Chiropractors usually use muscle stimulation and relaxation to treat related muscle dysfunction. The method involves stretching muscles experiencing excessive tension and repeated contractions of the restricted muscle.
The gentle finger technique will ease the pain related to tight muscles.
Specific Trigger Point Therapy
If your chiropractor identifies a limited spinal joint or one that shows abnormal motion, they can help restore the joint motion with the gentle thrusting technique.
The therapy stretches body tissue and stimulates the nervous system to reinstate normal spine motion.
Get Chiropractic Treatment for Whiplash Associated Disorder From Peak Spine + Wellness, Fargo, ND
At Peak Spine + Wellness, we can help you achieve the maximum possible improvement for Whiplash Associated Disorders through chiropractic care. We’ll identify the affected muscle, disc, or joint, administer a non-surgical treatment, and give instruction on lifestyle modification to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Schedule a consultation today in Fargo, ND, to start your treatment.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4753964/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27836071/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9039361/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11982-whiplash
