How Does Whiplash Occur?

Whiplash is when a person’s head moves backward and then forward with great force. When this happens, the soft tissues, muscles, and ligaments of your neck extend beyond their typical range of motion. If you are experiencing whiplash and are looking for a chiropractor in St. James, Dr. Raymond Semente is here to help you!

Whiplash occurs most commonly when you are involved in:

• Car accidents
• Physical abuse
• Contact sports
• Amusement park rides

Symptoms of whiplash do not occur immediately. Most of the time, symptoms will appear within 24 hours or a few days following the incident. These signs include:

• Stiff neck
• Neck pain
• Jaw pain
• Loss of range of motion in the neck
• Headaches
• Shoulder pain
• Arm weakness
• Tingling or numbness in the arms
• Fatigue
• Dizziness and blurred vision
• Pain in lower back
• Ringing in the ears
• Disturbances when sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory problems

No matter the extent of your neck pain, you should be examined by the best chiropractor in St. James, Dr. Raymond Semente, as soon as possible. X-rays may be done in the office in order to rule out any bone fractures. If you have a herniated disc or any ligament damage, an ACT scan or MRI may also be done. These tests show more details than regular X-rays and are capable of identifying soft tissue injuries.

Treatment Options

Most cases of whiplash are treated using conservative methods such as spinal decompression therapy, acupuncture, and manual manipulation.

• Spinal decompression therapy- is used to treat pinched nerves, herniated discs, and sciatica.
• Acupuncture -helps give extra pain relief in various strategic parts of the body.
• Manual manipulation- manual adjustments are done to the spine to increase range of motion and decrease pain.

Dr. Raymond Semente recommends some advice to avoid whiplash:

• While driving- wear your seatbelt properly on every ride and make sure the headrest in your vehicle is not too low. Also, avoid driving in an overly reclined position.
• For Athletes- if you participate in contact sports, make sure you wear appropriate equipment like helmets and padding and always practice good technique to avoid neck injuries.

If your whiplash symptoms are getting worse and you are looking for a chiropractor in St. James, contact Dr. Raymond Semente today for more information!