At Amplify Health and Wellness, we offer innovative therapy to treat whiplash injuries. Our chiropractor, Dr. Brian Schulz, uses advanced spinal analysis and gentle correction techniques to address the underlying joint and nervous system dysfunction that causes pain and stiffness. We restore normal motion and prevent chronic issues through precise adjustments, soft tissue work, rehabilitative exercises, and lifestyle coaching. Our expert chiropractor supports the body’s natural healing abilities and helps patients recover mobility and quality of life.
What Is a Whiplash Injury?
Whiplash is a neck trauma most commonly caused by car accidents, especially when the vehicle is hit from behind. Due to the sudden back-and-forth movement, similar to the crack of a whip, the soft tissues of the neck are overstretched and sometimes torn. Such injury can also result from physical injuries, sports collisions, or other traumatic events. Whiplash symptoms include neck and shoulder pain, headaches, dizziness, tingling arms, and reduced mobility.
Chiropractic Treatment of Whiplash Injuries
Consultation and Planning
The initial chiropractic consultation includes an examination of a full medical history and details of the neck injury. Dr. Schulz assesses the patient’s symptoms, reviews any diagnostic imaging, and performs an orthopedic evaluation to pinpoint the source of pain and mobility issues. This examination helps to develop a plan of chiropractic care for whiplash trauma, which may involve spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapies, rehabilitative exercises, and lifestyle recommendations
Treatment Sessions
Cervical spine corrections are the core of chiropractic whiplash treatment. These interventions help to improve joint mobility and reduce pain. The chiropractor manually applies controlled force into the restricted spinal joints, making them move more freely. Treatment may also include massage, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, therapeutic stretches, Indiba, and exercises. These hands-on therapies provide additional whiplash relief by reducing muscle tension and inflammation. Patients may require multiple sessions over several weeks to fully restore their motion and function.
Post-Treatment Care
The chiropractor provides recommendations for aftercare to support the patient’s recovery. This may include performing prescribed home exercises to stabilize the muscles around the spine. Ice or heat packs can offer relief between sessions, and follow-up appointments may be scheduled to assess progress. Ongoing chiropractic care is necessary to treat whiplash and address its residual effects.
Recovery After Whiplash Chiropractic Treatment
The recovery process after receiving chiropractic treatment depends on the severity of the injury. Patients with minor traumas often relieve pain and stiffness within a few days or weeks of beginning adjustments and manipulations. More severe whiplash injuries that involve strained ligaments or muscles take longer to heal, but our gentle chiropractic techniques help to restore range of motion and functionality.
Dr. Schulz may adjust the treatment plan based on how the patient responds. For example, he may begin with frequent visits two or three times per week, then taper down to once every 7 or 14 days. The total treatment timeline ranges from one to three months on average. Patience is key as the body heals itself after whiplash trauma. Continuous home exercises and stretches can also facilitate recovery.
Candidates for Whiplash Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic treatment is best for the following cases:
Car Accident Victims
People who develop neck pain, stiffness, headaches, or other symptoms after rear-end car accidents may benefit from whiplash chiropractic care. Gentle corrections will restore normal motion and positioning of the spine and neck, relieving pain and other issues caused by the auto accident.
Both Acute and Chronic Conditions
Chiropractic treatment may help people with an acute whiplash injury and those with chronic neck pain from an old trauma that never fully healed. Even long-standing conditions can be improved over time.
Together With Other Treatments
Whiplash chiropractic care is often combined with other interventions, such as massage therapy or pain medications. The careful spinal adjustments may enhance the benefits of other treatments.
Mild-to-Moderate Cases
People with relatively mild or moderate car accident injuries are eligible for chiropractic care. Severe cases with major neurological damages may require more advanced medical care initially.
Benefits of Whiplash Chiropractic Treatment
Reduces Pain & Discomfort
Chiropractic care can reduce neck pain, headaches, muscle spasms, and other discomforts associated with whiplash injuries. Gentle corrections can relieve
pressure on nerves, relax tight muscles, restore mobility in the spine, and promote healing. Patients often report significant pain relief after just a few treatments.
Improves Range of Motion
Restricted movement is a common problem after a whiplash accident. Inflammation, muscle tightness, and joint dysfunction make it hard to engage the most activities. Mobilization techniques that are
pressure on nerves, relax tight muscles, restore mobility in the spine, and promote healing. Patients often report significant pain relief after just a few treatments.
Non-Invasive Treatment
Unlike pain medications or surgery, chiropractic is a drug-free, non-invasive approach to treating whiplash injuries. Most patients respond well to this conservative care and do not need riskier,
more invasive medical interventions. Thus, chiropractic therapy is an ideal first line of treatment.
Cost of Whiplash Chiropractic Treatment
The cost of such care in Littleton, South West Denver, ranges from $100 to $300 per session. The number of interventions needed varies depending on the severity of the injury. Mild whiplash may require 6-12 sessions over 6 weeks, while more serious cases could need upwards of 20 meetings over 3 months. Each treatment typically lasts 30-60 minutes. Most major health insurance plans cover a portion of chiropractic therapy expenses. The total cost of whiplash chiropractic care depends on the injury, treatment plan, number of sessions, and insurance coverage. During a consultation at Amplify Health and Wellness, our specialists evaluate the patient’s trauma and determine an accurate price based on their specific needs. We verify their insurance coverage and discuss affordable payment options. Our practice aims to provide quality, customized care to help our patients recover from whiplash as quickly as possible.