Whiplash is one of the most common injuries to come out of a car accident, and one of the most frequently dismissed. Patients are often told at the emergency room that nothing is broken and sent home with a prescription and instructions to rest. Days later the pain sets in, the stiffness gets worse, and they are left wondering why they feel so much worse than they did right after the accident.
That delayed onset is one of the hallmarks of whiplash. The rapid back and forth motion of the head and neck during a collision stretches and strains the muscles, ligaments, and joints of the cervical spine in ways that do not always show up on emergency imaging. The structural damage is real even when the initial X-rays look clear.
Whiplash symptoms can include neck pain and stiffness, headaches that start at the base of the skull, shoulder and upper back pain, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, and in more significant cases pain or numbness that radiates into the arms. Symptoms can develop within hours of the accident or take several days to fully emerge. Left untreated, whiplash injuries frequently become chronic, with patients managing pain and stiffness for months or years after the initial event.
Chiropractic care is one of the most well-supported conservative treatments for whiplash. At Lagoni Chiropractic, Dr. Jay performs a thorough evaluation of the cervical spine and surrounding structures to identify the specific joints, muscles, and soft tissues affected. Digital X-rays are taken in the office when indicated and reviewed by a radiologist in most cases. Treatment is built around restoring normal motion to the cervical spine, reducing muscle spasm and inflammation, and addressing postural compensations that develop as the body guards against pain.
Treatment may include chiropractic adjustments using Gonstead, Diversified, or Thompson techniques, Arthrostim instrument adjusting, electric muscle stimulation, low-level laser therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, kinesiotaping, and a specific home exercise program. Dr. Jay also works with personal injury cases and can coordinate care documentation when legal representation is involved.
If you were recently in an accident or have been dealing with neck pain and headaches that started after a collision, call us at (765) 778-4095 or fill out the form on our New Patient page.
Serving Pendleton, Anderson, Fortville, Lapel, and the surrounding area. Most major insurance accepted.