Treatment for Whiplash Pain in Toronto

What causes whiplash?

Whiplash most commonly occurs in car crashes as result of sudden deceleration.
Whiplash occurs when the soft tissue in the spine is stretched and strained after the body is thrown in a sudden, forceful jerk. The injury most commonly occurs in car crashes involving sudden deceleration, but the injury can also occur in other strenuous physical activities such as diving.

What does whiplash feel like?

The most frequent complaints are headaches and stiffness in the neck and the back of the head. These symptoms appear within the first couple of days after the accident. Shoulder pain, back pain, arm pain and numbness/tingling in the hands may also occur as a result of whiplash and may take as long as several weeks to appear.


How is whiplash treated?

• Chiropractic spinal manipulation. The primary chiropractic treatment for joint dysfunction, chiropractic manipulation involves the chiropractor gently moving the involved joint into the direction in which it is restricted. Also known as a chiropractic adjustment, spinal manipulation may involve the application of a short thrust in that direction. In many cases, instead of a thrust, a slow mobilizing movement is used by the chiropractor.
• Physical therapy modalities. Physical therapy modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, hot/cold therapy and water therapy may also be used to reduce inflammation and increase range of motion. Laser therapy is also used for pain control and to stimulate healing of injured tissues.
• Muscle relaxation or stimulation. The primary chiropractic treatments for muscle dysfunction related to a whiplash injury, muscle relaxation and/or stimulation consist of gentle stretches to the muscle that has excessive tension or repeated contractions of the muscle that is inhibited. If the muscle is very tight, a more vigorous stretch may be applied by the chiropractor. Gentle finger pressure techniques may be applied to trigger points to relieve the pain associated with the tight muscles.
• Stabilization or sensorimotor exercise. These exercise approaches are designed to correct faulty movement patterns in routine activities and everyday life. They train the nervous system to better coordinate and control movement patterns, and improve the ability of the neck muscles to maintain stability of the neck. These exercises are designed to help in a major trauma, such as a fall or whiplash during a motor vehicle accident, or in "micro trauma" from simple things such as being jostled in a crowd, playing sports or performing occupational or home jobs that require physical effort.
• Ergonomic and lifestyle advice. These suggestions stress improvements for performing everyday activities with minimal strain to the body. The advice addresses factors in an individual’s work, home or recreational activities that perpetuate the dysfunctions that result from the accident. The chiropractor may teach the patient better "use of self" and, if necessary, stress reduction methods to help chiropractic problems.

The whiplash treatment plan developed by the chiropractor for each specific problem may include one or more of these approaches and may involve others as well. The chiropractor might give a referral to another health professional, such as a medical specialist, if it is deemed appropriate.

For more information on the treatment options available for Whiplash, please visit the[clinic]'s website at http://www.theclinic-toronto.com/