A Natural and Alternative Whiplash Treatment

What is Whiplash?

Whiplash is a condition that occurs following an impact injury to the neck. Whiplash is often caused by car accidents or sports injuries, but it can also occur when an individual is suddenly jerked into an upright position. These injuries typically result in the neck moving back and forth with violent force, damaging the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the neck. 

The severity of whiplash can range from mild to severe, but for many people, the condition can have lasting, debilitating effects.

Signs and Symptoms of Whiplash

Whiplash is a condition that is difficult to diagnose and can be difficult to treat. The symptoms of whiplash can mimic those of other conditions, such as headaches and neck pain. However, the most common signs and symptoms of whiplash are neck pain, stiffness, tenderness, headaches, and difficulty with turning or moving the neck.

How the Upper Cervical Spine Effects Whiplash

Injuries to the upper cervical spine are often associated with whiplash and are a common cause of this condition. The upper cervical spine is located at the top of the neck and is comprised of seven vertebrae, also known as the Atlas and the Axis. 

When your upper cervical spine is out of alignment, it can cause misalignment of your lower cervical and upper thoracic spine. This misalignment can exacerbate and prolong the initial symptoms of whiplash, causing pain, stiffness, and neck mobility issues.  

How Our Whiplash Treatment Works

Most people who experience whiplash will not receive a proper diagnosis of the problem. Even when they do receive a diagnosis, many conventional doctors will only prescribe pain medication and physical therapy. Unfortunately, these types of treatments do not address the underlying problem and can actually make the condition worse.

To treat your whiplash, we will first need to identify whether you are suffering from a misalignment in the upper cervical spine. To do so, our expert chiropractor, Dr. Hoefer, will use digital X-rays and cone-beam computed tomography scans. After processing these scans, Dr. Hoefer will perform a series of gentle, non-invasive chiropractic adjustments to realign your upper cervical spine and re-engage the body’s natural healing mechanisms. 

Once your upper cervical spine is properly aligned, Dr. Hoefer will begin to work on addressing any lingering symptoms of whiplash. By using gentle, hands-on techniques, Dr. Hoefer will be able to work on your muscles, ligaments, and tendons to help reduce the pain and increase the range of motion in your neck.

If you’re looking for a natural and alternative treatment for whiplash, we can help! Dr. Hoefer provides treatment for patients all over Orange County, including Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Rancho Santa Margarita, Dana Point, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, and Santa Ana.