Summer has arrived on the Jersey Shore, and with it, more traffic and an increase in auto accidents. Whiplash is a serious condition that must be addressed immediately. In this blog posting, we’ll show you how.
New Jersey may be one of the smallest states in the country, but (as those of us in the Garden State well know) it’s also one of the most densely populated. With a long and beautiful shoreline, it only gets more crowded in the summer.
For those of us living in the Monmouth, Ocean, or Atlantic county areas, this often means one thing: an increase in traffic. And with more cars on the road, we are all at a greater risk for auto accidents. Of course, an auto accident can ruin a beautiful summer day worse than any rainstorm, but the real danger here are the injuries that can result from a crash.
The Dangers of Whiplash
Whiplash is a particularly destructive auto accident injury. This condition has far-reaching consequences—more so than most people realize. For example, when left untreated, whiplash can lead to chronic neck pain, a condition that is very difficult to treat. Neck pain also leads many sufferers to use both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription pain medications, which can cause ulcers and kidney damage (in the case of OTC drugs) as well as addiction and liver and kidney damage (from prescription pills).
Whiplash also inflicts damage on the soft tissues of the cervical (neck) spine that can result in an abnormal curvature of the neck. This can interrupt the normal flow of blood and nerves to the body, which can be disastrous for the health of the entire body and cause pain. In fact, studies have shown that an abnormally positioned neck can lead to shorter lifespan overall.
Chiropractic Treatment for Whiplash
Chiropractic care is more than a treatment for the pain and other symptoms of whiplash—it actually corrects the cause of your symptoms. Furthermore, it can increase joint and postural movement to reduce pain and inflammation.
The type of chiropractic practiced at Monmouth Spine and Rehabilitation Center is known as Chiropractic Biophysics (CBP), which specializes in correcting abnormal spinal structures (including the unhealthy neck curvature that may be caused by whiplash). At our Red Bank, New Jersey facility, we focus on the overall position of the spine so that the entire central nervous system is in good working order.
Physical Therapy and Whiplash
As part of your whiplash treatment, physical therapy works to reduce pain and inflammation while restoring movement and flexibility. Physical therapists work with each patient to design individual programs that will help heal the damaged soft tissues of the neck.
Monmouth Spine and Rehabilitation Center always incorporates the latest and best in physical therapy techniques and technologies. Toward this end, a whiplash patient may receive deep tissue massage to correct the muscle tension associated with whiplash. We might also use Ultrasound technology to reduce pain, muscle spasms, swelling, and cramping. Low Laser therapy is another option; this revolutionary tool speeds the healing process while relieving pain and inflammation. Spinal Traction and PowerPlate technology may also be incorporated.
Our physical therapists will design and implement a therapeutic exercise program that corresponds to your specific needs, keeping in mind such factors as age and medical history. Therapeutic exercise is an important part of whiplash treatment programs in that it helps patients to develop strength and range of motion.
Feel free to contact our Monmouth County office to learn more about how we can implement an individual, holistic treatment plan for your whiplash symptoms or other neck pain concerns. We would like to assure you in advance that New Jersey law stipulates that all auto insurance policies carry personal injury protection extending to chiropractic care.
