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Automobile Accidents

Have you or someone you know been injured in an auto accident and told it is whiplash?  Such injuries can be extremely painful and persistent.

Whiplash typically occurs when the occupant's neck or spine is forcefully pushed forward and back as a result of forces transmitted in a rear-end automobile accident.  

Even "fender-benders" can cause hidden injuries that can develop into pain and other complications.  

It is also not uncommon for symptoms to delay and appear later.  Pain can occur days or even weeks after an accident.  Sometimes patient's will also begin to experience symptoms in areas of the body that they thought were never originally injured.  Some people may not even know that they have been hurt. 

The speed of the cars involved in the accident or the amount of physical damage to the car does not always correlate to the severity of the injuries.  Speeds as low as 15 mph. can produce enough force to create significant injuries.  

The most common symptoms include neck and back pain, headaches, referred pain/tingling in the arms, shoulder pain, jaw pain, dizziness, ringing in the ears, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, balance problems, visual disturbances and weakness.

After the injury, inflammation will occur and the repair process begins. Scar tissue will form in the spine and soft tissue structures (muscles, ligaments and fascia), as part of the natural healing process.  It is critical that the injured structures and tissues receive appropriate, timely and specific treatments.  

Often overlooked in the treatment of whiplash injuries is the newly developed scar tissue.  This dense scar tissue binds up and ties down tissues that need to move freely.  As scar tissue builds up, muscles become shorter and weaker, tension on tendons causes tendonitis and nerves can become trapped. This can cause reduced range of motion, loss of strength and pain.  If a nerve is trapped you may also feel tingling, numbness, and weakness.

Dr. Rawlings specializes in the treatment of whiplash injuries related to automobile accidents and can provide you with the appropriate care that is necessary to help you return to a normal, pain free life style.  Along with various physiotherapy modalities, Dr. Rawlings provides specific chiropractic manipulative techniques, Active Release Techniques (soft tissue treatments), exercise/stretching program and lifestyle modifications.  Dr. Rawlings can also make appropriate referrals for x-rays, advanced diagnostic testing or to other physicians as needed.

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Mission Valley Family Chiropractic

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