What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a type of impact injury that occurs when the head and neck are suddenly and violently moved back and forth. The sudden movement can cause damage to the soft tissues of the neck and spine, usually resulting in pain and stiffness.
Whiplash is a common injury that can occur in a variety of ways. However, it’s typically caused by a motor vehicle accident, fall, sports injury, or any other accident that causes the head and neck to move suddenly. Although whiplash usually occurs without any serious injury, it can have serious, long-term health effects.
Signs and Symptoms of Whiplash
The signs and symptoms of whiplash vary, depending on the severity of the injury. Generalized pain is the most common symptom of whiplash. The pain can extend from the lower neck to the upper back and may radiate down the arms. The pain can be constant, or it can come and go. Other common symptoms include neck stiffness, tenderness, tingling or numbness in the arms or hands, headaches, fatigue, anxiety, depression, difficulty concentrating, and memory loss.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Whiplash
The upper cervical spine is made up of the first seven vertebrae in the neck. The upper vertebrae are connected to the skull and form the base of the skull. The bones in the upper cervical spine have very little movement. Instead, they are stabilized by ligaments and muscles, which can become injured when the neck is suddenly tilted or twisted.
Left untreated, misalignment in the upper cervical spine can worsen the damage caused by whiplash, leading to chronic pain, nerve inflammation, and other complications.
How Our Whiplash Treatment Works
When you come to our office for whiplash treatment, we will perform a thorough examination to determine the cause of your pain. We will be able to detect if there is a misalignment in the upper cervical spine and if that is contributing to your pain. Once we have identified the cause of your pain and the extent of your whiplash injury, we will develop a treatment plan tailored to your condition and customized to your individual needs.
The goal of our whiplash treatment is to relieve your pain, reduce inflammation, restore the normal function of the upper cervical spine, and prevent further injury. We will start by analyzing the misalignment using non-invasive X-rays and cone-beam computed tomography scans. Armed with this information, Dr. Bello, our expert chiropractor, will perform a series of gentle chiropractic corrections to the upper cervical spine to restore mobility and remove pressure from the spine. We will also recommend a series of spinal corrections, as well as other natural treatments, to alleviate generalized pain and promote healing.
If you’re suffering from whiplash, Dr. Bello offers natural treatment for patients in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Westwood, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, and the surrounding areas.