A little research about whiplash will leave you dazed and confused. You will find information claiming you will recover in 3 to 5 days and other information talking about chronic problems lasting years. 

Where does the truth lie? And, what should you do if you have been in a vehicular accident. Let me throw my hat in the ring and offer you another perspective. 

This perspective comes from someone who is a chiropractor of more than 35 yrs and who was introduced to chiropractic as a result of chronic problems that began as a result of a car accident. I wish someone had referred me to a chiropractor immediately following my accident. Instead, it took more than a year for me to become so miserable that I found my way to chiropractic. 

How to Choose the Best Treatment

Choosing the best or most appropriate treatment is essential for success. If we give some consideration to what tissues are injured and what those tissues do or how they function normally it helps us determine what might be the best treatment. It also helps identify treatments that will do nothing for healing or might actually hurt in the long run. 

Depending on the tissue injured, we also might need the care from different types of providers. A brain injury resulting in a concussion and post concussion syndrome might require the support of an MD or a Neuropsychology evaluation. 

Let’s take a look at the most commonly injured tissues and how they function. While whiplash injuries can injure the bones, discs, ligaments, muscles and nerves the majority of the injuries are related to damage to the joints. 

Let’s ask ourselves what joints are meant to do.

Joints are meant to provide movement and the joints of the neck provide movement to the spine. When we move those joints too far in an accident they are injured. The goal of treatment involving an injured joint is to restore and maintain proper motion through the healing process. 

If the injury involves a fracture of the spine then a consultation with a spine surgeon or neurosurgeon would be the best type of physician to consult with. 

Why are Chiropractors the Best Choice for Whiplash Injuries?

Chiropractors are trained to evaluate, treat, and restore healthy biomechanics to the joints of the spine and pelvis. There is no other provider with the level of knowledge and understanding of normal spinal function. 

If there is a disc herniation or a fracture or significant instability then a spinal or neurosurgical consultation is appropriate. But, the vast majority of whiplash injuries don’t require surgery and the expertise of those physicians is in evaluating the necessity of surgery.

Both the immediate injuries as well as the long term complications of whiplash injuries focus on damage to the spinal joints and surrounding tissues. Timely and appropriate care is essential to heal these injuries fully. 

Here is an example. In the days immediately following a whiplash it is not uncommon for the ER or primary care physician to prescribe the use of a Cervical Collar. This helps limit motion and takes stress off the injured neck. However, these physicians will often recommend wearing the collar for a few weeks. Once past the acute inflammatory phase of the first 3 to 4 days a collar is counter productive to the healing process.

Find a chiropractor trained in the evaluation and treatment of whiplash injuries. Unless your injuries are straightforward and uncomplicated you might need to see other practitioners as well. But, the chiropractor is the most appropriate doctor to guide and coordinate your care. 

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