Do you have a whiplash injury?

During this time of the year motor vehicle accidents are more frequent due to the winter weather conditions. Even from a minor fender bender you may still receive a whiplash injury. Whiplash is a term used to describe the forceful extension and then flexion of the neck. When the neck is initially forced into extension this causes a stretching of the flexor muscles including the SCM and scalenes in the front of the neck, and a jamming of the facet joints at the back of the spine. When the head forcefully moves into flexion it causes a stretching and tearing of the extensors muscles, including the cervical extensors, traps, and sub occipital muscles.

Signs of whiplash injury

It is not uncommon to feel little to no discomfort immediately following an accident as the body will release natural pain killers in the form of endorphins as well as the heightened adrenaline in the body. Once this wears off and the inflammation begins to set in is when the pain and restricted motion begins. In many cases, even minor accidents can cause symptoms of whiplash which can show up as late as 2-6 weeks post injury. The reason this can happen is because even in a minor accident there is still a stretching and tearing of tissue, so the body’s response is to lay calcium or scar tissue down in the area. After weeks of scar tissue deposition, this may lead to further symptoms, such as headaches, jaw pain, trigger points, and restricted range of motion.

Treatment for whiplash

It is important after any type of whiplash injury to seek out your doctor to assess the level of damage, and develop a treatment plan which will not only relieve your temporary symptoms but also prevent further damage down the road. At Mountain View Pain Center, we see many injuries that are due to improperly treated whiplash injuries.  What our doctors most commonly see in this instance, are injuries to the Cervical intervertebral discs. After an accident the neck becomes very stiff as a self-protective mechanism to prevent further damage. The problem with this is if motion is not properly restored, the Cervical spine no longer functions with optimal range of motion. This will speed up the degenerative process of the spine, and begin to wear down the disc spaces at a rapid rate. A disc injury in the neck can lead to very intense pain in the neck, shoulder, and arm. In many cases with a Cervical disc injury a patient may only feel symptoms in the arm, such as numbness, radiating pain, weakness, or tingling.  In the event a disc injury does occur it can still be treated with very positive results; however the natural treatment process of the disc is 90 days which can lead to a lengthy treatment plan.

This is why our doctors recommend seeking out professional help after the injury to properly assess the damage. If quickly and promptly addressed the treatment times can be much shorter and future issues can be avoided.   If you have suffered a whiplash type injury, feel free to contact us and one of our whiplash specialists to see if this treatment is right for you.

Centennial Chiropractor talk about treatments after an auto accident. Neck and shoulder pain are one of the most common types of injuries after a car accident. Your neck pain could be a result from a whiplash injury you just suffered. Believe it or not even minor car accidents can cause whiplash injuries. Studies have shown that even a 5 mph rear-end car accident can cause neck pain for a long time.  This is why it is so important to get the right treatment so your neck pain doesn’t  become a chronic problem. Shoulder pain is another problem most auto accident patients have. This is due to the fact that the seat belt holds one shoulder back causing the other to freely move which in return will cause ligaments and muscles to stretch. Read more >>

Denver Chiropractors Talk About Car Accident Injuries

Being in a car accident can be a very scary situation; even if the car accident was a minor one. A car accident can leave you with neck pain, whiplash, back pain or even shoulder pain for weeks or months. At Mountain View Pain Center our Chiropractors specialize in car accident injuries we have the tools that will help you get out of pain and back on your feet. We understand that being in a car accident can be very stressful you will have a number of questions to ask like:

Who will pay for my medical bills?

We accept all auto insurances; we will make sure they pay for your medical expenses.

How long will I be in pain for?

Not all auto injuries are created equal. Someone might have rear ended you going 5mph and you end up with neck and back pain for 3 months; while someone else that was in a higher speed car accident has less pain.  This is why it is so important to have an auto injury specialist like the doctors of Mountain View Pain Center give you an exam. Read more >>

A car accident can be a very scary situation especially if you have suffered injuries because of your car accident. The doctors of Mountain View Pain Center specialize in car accident injuries and they can help you understand how to deal with your injury.

 Common Symptoms Following a Car Accident

- Neck pain, headaches, upper back pain, lower back pain, extremity pain/weakness, difficulty concentrating, dizziness/light-headedness, facial pain and jaw pain, vertigo, blurred vision, sensitivity to light Read more >>