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Experiencing neck pain after a car accident is one of those conditions that affects a large percentage of people at some point in their life. Due to the way we are anatomically constructed, the cervical region is particularly vulnerable to whiplash injuries. Injuries to the muscles, tendons, and especially ligaments in the neck region can cause a wide variety of symptoms. These injuries can manifest as anything from mild aching pain, to total disability, making them one of the most common reasons people go to chiropractors. When you combine neck pain with whiplash headaches, you end up with real potential for disrupting lifestyles. So the question many people ask after an accident is… what can I do about it at home?
First, there are whiplash treatments from a chiropractic standpoint, including manipulation, massage and other soft tissue techniques, ice, heat, and various forms of physiological therapy (such as deep ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, laser therapy, etc.). low level), they all work very well. ! Second, let’s look at things you can do on your own to help ease the symptoms of whiplash pain. There is a long list of aids that help with whiplash-type pain that you can control yourself, some of which include: home traction devices, specialized cervical pillows, rehabilitation exercises, postural retraining, and more. The most important thing is that you are in control of your part of the whiplash treatment program. Then the only thing you will need is a little motivation that is on your part and having the proper training, the job of the car accident chiropractor. Many of these home treatment approaches involve an appliance or device of some sort, technically called durable medical supplies, or EMRs. More specifically they may include:
- Cervical traction units they include inflatable collars, over-the-door sitting traction units, lay-on-back varieties, as well as towel traction. The concept here is that you are stretching the vertebrae in your neck to prevent scar tissue from sticking to the joints, and if done correctly, it should feel good! Don’t do it if it doesn’t, or reduce the weight until you feel good. Another type of traction is placing a fulcrum (dense foam triangle) behind the neck while lying down, which allows the head to hang over the edge of the bed, which maintains the proper curvature of the neck which may be affected later. of whiplash.
- cervical pillows they share the common concept of being contoured to fit the neck and head. These pillows allow the neck to remain in a favorable position while sleeping, which promotes faster healing. These are thicker at the edge, so the space between the neck and the point of the shoulder is filled in so the head points forward. There are many types of contoured pillows including water, foam, inflatable, buckwheat, rice, and other types. However, a warning is necessary: you may not like it at first, as it may take 3-4 nights to get used to it. But, once you do, you’ll miss your pillow when you can’t travel with it.
- Training. Place your hand against your head and push off, allowing your head to “win” as it moves through the full range of motion (forward, backward, sideways, and rotation). Don’t forget that stretching, other strengthening exercises, and fine motor control exercises are important. Keeping joints moving while scar tissue heals prevents the genesis of osteoarthritis.
It is important to understand that you have a choice about how to effectively treat and manage your injuries after an accident. If you or a family member has been in a car accident and requires treatment for whiplash pain, make sure the neck therapy portion of the treatment includes the self-help approach for best results.