Injured in a Fort Collins Auto Accident?
Whiplash is the most common type of injury after a car accident, though it can also occur after a fall, sporting injury, or other trauma. For neck pain, stiffness, and discomfort caused by whiplash, see chiropractor Steve Cook, DC, at Brave Roots Chiropractic in Fort Collins. Dr. Cook offers personalized treatments to help you recover after a whiplash injury. Schedule your visit today by calling the office or using the online booking tool.
Many people experience whiplash injuries each year. Most car accidents in Fort Collins are rear-ended collisions each of which varies in severity. Many of our patients that are involved in rear-end collisions don't even realize they have received injuries until weeks or months post-impact. Their medical doctors do not always acknowledge injuries that occur at lower speeds but research today says differently. If you have been injured in an accident, our Fort Collins chiropractic clinic can help you understand the options that you have.
To have success with a whiplash injury it's important to work with a provider that understands the problem. Chiropractors are trained for these types of injuries, so if you have recently been injured it's important to get your spine checked as soon as possible. The sooner that you start to care the less chance you have of developing long-term problems.
Whiplash in Fort Collins
Whiplash injuries are a serious matter. The results can be devastating if an injury of this caliber is left untreated. What's unfortunate, is that most people don't even realize they are injured until long after the accident. By the time many people realize they are in need of help, their problems have escalated to a much greater condition.
Injuries tend to be more significant when your headrest is positioned too low. In the instance where your headrest is positioned too low it can act as an acceleration point when you are hit from behind. A 5 mph impact can result in your head whipping back at a much higher rate of speed causing greater injury.
Statistically, significant improvement was noted for 93% of the 28 patients studied in the Woodward study while under chiropractic care. In the research study chiropractic care consisted of spinal manipulation, PNF, and cryotherapy. Many of the patients were treated prior to the study with NSAIDS, soft colors, and physiotherapy.
Chiropractic care is an effective modality for patients that have been injured in motor vehicle accidents. The study mentioned earlier was able to clearly document the success and experience most chiropractors see in clinical practice. Symptoms ranging from headaches to neck pain, back pain, inter-scapular pain, and related extremity pain with numbness and tingling often respond very well to chiropractic care.
Whiplash Q & A
Whiplash is a type of ligament sprain and muscle strain that occurs most often in car accidents. Whiplash happens when your head is suddenly thrown backward and forward forcefully, overstretching the muscles and ligaments in your neck.
Whiplash injuries most commonly affect the neck, though they can injure any area of the spine and may be accompanied by other symptoms besides neck discomfort. If left untreated, whiplash injuries may cause chronic pain, stiffness, or spinal instability, depending on the type of injury you sustained.
In addition to neck pain and discomfort, other symptoms of whiplash include:
- Decreased range of motion and stiffness
- Popping, cracking, and clicking in the neck
- Pain in the shoulders and arms
- Numbness and tingling in the arms and hands
- Shoulder injuries
- Hip and knee pain
- Lower back pain
- Headaches
If your accident is severe enough, you may also experience symptoms of a concussion. Some of these symptoms may overlap with whiplash symptoms, including headaches, fatigue, and trouble remembering the accident.
In order to diagnose whiplash, Dr. Cook begins with a consultation and exam to determine the extent of your injuries. He asks about your accident, the angle of impact, and how fast you and the other driver were traveling when the impact occurred.
Dr. Cook then measures your range of motion and pressures on your neck, shoulders, and back to assess for tenderness, swelling, and discomfort. Additional orthopedic tests are performed to assess the stability of your spine and look for potential ligament and muscle damage.
If appropriate, Dr. Cook takes X-rays of your neck in the office. These X-rays can show telltale signs of spinal instability that signify ligament damage. Based on his findings, Dr. Cook explains your diagnosis and outlines a treatment plan to help you.
Whiplash treatment can be a long process, depending on the severity of your injuries. Dr. Cook focuses on improving your range of motion and flexibility while also supporting your muscles and ligaments to heal properly for normal spinal stability.
Treatment options for whiplash include:
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Soft tissue therapy, including massage therapy
- Postural exercises
- Therapeutic exercise and rehab
- Lifestyle modifications
- Hot and cold therapy
- Electrical stimulation
- Acupuncture
These therapies can also help relieve your pain to make your treatment more comfortable and help you recover as quickly as possible.
To set up a visit at Brave Roots Chiropractic, call the office or schedule a consultation online now.
Brave Roots Chiropractic: Steve Cook, DC in Fort Collins has experience helping individuals suffering from symptoms of a whiplash injury. Call today to see if chiropractic care can help you.
Monday
8:30am - 12:00pm
3:00pm - 6:00pm
Rossiter Stretching: 2:30pm - 6:00pm
Tuesday
1:00pm - 6:30pm
Wednesday
8:30am - 12:00pm
3:00pm - 6:00pm
Thursday
1:00pm - 6:30pm
Acupuncture: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Rossiter Stretching: 1:00pm - 5:30pm
Friday
8:00am - 1:00pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
Brave Roots Chiropractic:
Steve Cook, DC
2111 S College Ave Suite B
Fort Collins, CO 80525
P: (970) 482-5301
F: (866) 701-7104