Whiplash is a common type of injury resulting from many auto accidents, the wide majority caused by rear-end auto collisions. For those individuals whoβve sustained a whiplash-related injury after experiencing an automobile accident, the kind of doctor they should seek must specialize in automobile injuries.
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Auto accidents arenβt necessarily the only cause behind whiplash, but they do occur more frequently during these incidents. Whiplash can result from any motion in which the head is abruptly jolted forward and then backwards at an increased speed. The accelerated movement often leads to the irritation and inflammation of the ligaments and tendons found in the neck, occasionally causing a tear within these complex tissues. A doctor who specializes in auto accident injuries can properly identify the presence of whiplash and follow up with the most appropriate treatment program to decrease and eliminate the pain and other symptoms associated with the injury as well as restore the individualβs flexibility. A medical doctor, an orthopedic, physical therapist, primary care physician and a chiropractor, are several different types of healthcare specialists who focus on different complications and can treat automobile accident injuries and conditions.
Many individuals whoβve been involved in a car accident, donβt receive the proper health care they need and deserve for their whiplash injuries. Ultimately, the type of doctor an auto accident victim receives treatment from can determine their outcome for recovery. Itβs important to be well-informed of the training and expertise of a whiplash doctor before accepting treatment because not all of the above mentioned healthcare specialists will treat whiplash injuries.
Frequently, people whoβve suffered whiplash-associated injuries from an auto accident will go to the ER, however, a majority of the ERβs in the United States are designed to only treat visible and life-threatening injuries as quickly as possible. In some instances, an individual who experienced whiplash may receive excellent medical care for their injuries, although in most cases, individuals will only have some X-rays taken to determine the presence of a fracture and will then be immediately be sent to their primary care physician, without being treated for underlying soft-tissue injuries such as whiplash.
Many primary care physicians donβt treat automobile accident injuries, often leaving the victim feeling confused and wondering what their next step to take should be. Other doctors even believe whiplash is not a legitimate injury and may refuse care unaware of the plethora of scientific data supporting vast clinical options. Β That usually changes when they themselves get clobbered in an accident. Β Sorry, had to say that. Β Consequently, there are manyΒ cases where a doctor wonβt treat an individual with whiplashΒ as a diagnosisΒ where third party carriers may be involved. Β Sadly, general primary care physicians may not be set up for appropriate clinical case work ups.Β Β Simply put, manyΒ times minimal care may be given if the providers office is just not aware of the options available to treat whiplash injuries. Β Some may have an alternate opinion on this matter but my experience has proved otherwise over the last 3 decades.
Chiropractic is a popular, alternative treatment option for treating a variety of injuries and conditions, including many spinal complications. As a matter of fact, a chiropractor is the most recommended whiplash doctor for treating the condition as well as various other auto accident injuries. Chiropractic care focuses on non-drug, therapeutic treatments to naturally restore the individualβs health and relieve their symptoms of pain and discomfort. After a careful diagnosis, a chiropractor will follow up with an appropriate series of treatments and therapies.
When an individual seeks chiropractic care due to neck pain after being involved in an automobile accident, the whiplash doctor will evaluate the individualβs entire spine to determine the source of their symptoms. They may analyze the way the person walks, their posture as well as their overall spinal alignment, and they may also examine if the individual has restricted mobility along with tenderness, tightness, muscle spasms, ligament and joint injuries and/or disc trauma. Additionally, a chiropractor may order an MRI and X-ray of the individualβs spine to determine if any degenerative alterations were present prior to the accident.
Itβs essential with any accident injury case to determine if there were any pre-existing injuries or conditions before the auto collision as this can be important information for the insurance company. Itβs up to a chiropractor to document any new and pre-existing injures. After the diagnosis, the whiplash doctor can then develop the best, most appropriate treatment plan for an individualβs auto accident injuries.
Depending on the individualβs whiplash level of severity, the chiropractic treatment plan may differ slightly for each person. Spinal adjustments and manual manipulations are the most common treatment techniques for whiplash and other types of injuries. Other spinal techniques chiropractors may use include: flexion-distraction, specific spinal manipulation, instrument-assisted therapy; which uses specialized hand-held instruments to apply a gentle force, therapeutic massages, trigger point therapy, interferential electrical stimulation; which is a low frequency electrical current that helps stimulate the muscles to reduce inflammation, and ultrasound; which helps decrease muscle spasms, stiffness and pain on the affected area.
A chiropractor doesnβt just treat a specific injury or condition; they focus on treating the individual as a whole, restoring the bodyβs original health naturally. Furthermore, a whiplash doctor may also recommend a series of personalized exercise routines to increase the range or motion in the affected regions and reduce the symptoms, ultimately speeding up the rehabilitation process.
Chiropractors have a lot to offer after an individual has suffered injuries or developed a condition following a car accident. Chiropractic care is an effective, alternative treatment option for many auto injuries, especially whiplash. Itβs crucial to treat any injury immediately in order to avoid further complications and chiropractic treatment can help ensure the individual feels better from their pain and discomfort.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .Β
Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.elpasochiropractorblog.com
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, MSN-FNP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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