At Keystone Physical Medicine, we are no strangers to auto accident injuries and the lingering pain that comes along with whiplash. Whiplash is something that is often overlooked but it is extremely serious and the effects can be debilitating. Whiplash is referred to as injuries to the neck caused by sudden movement of the head, backward, forward, or sideways- it is most commonly received from riding in a car that is struck from behind or that collides with another object.
Misconceptions about Whiplash Severity
A big problem that we see is the way in which most people view whiplash. It is often easily disregarded because you can’t physically “see” the damage on the outside (swelling, cuts, bruises, contusions etc.) It is internal, with all the damage occurring inside of the body. People underestimate what their bodies go through when they are involved in a car accident (even at a low speed).
While the car may only be slightly damaged from an auto accident, the occupants can suffer considerable soft tissue injury. When the head is suddenly jerked back and forth beyond its normal limits, the muscles and ligaments supporting the spine and head can be overstretched or torn. The soft, pulpy, discs between the spinal bones can bulge, tear, or rupture and the vertebrae can be forced out of their normal position, reducing range of motion. The spinal cord and nerve roots in the neck can get stretched and extremely irritated as well.
Integrated Approach
Keystone Physical Medicine takes a natural integrated approach to auto accidents and whiplash injury. We combine Chiropractic care, Physical Therapy, Pain Management and Massage Therapy to help you achieve optimal results. We are home to some of the finest Physicians in the Valley and our patients have a team of Doctors working together to form a customized treatment plan to address pain, inflammation, stiffness, vertigo, spinal alignment, sleeplessness, and long term risk factors.
What We Can Do to Help
Our aim is to truly help people who are in auto accidents so our car accident consultation is complimentary. We want to get the spine back in alignment, and catch inflammation early enough to reduce scar tissue. We encourage everyone who is involved in an accident to get a check up as soon as possible from a spine specialist. Give us a try and see if our team of specialists can help you. We also encourage you not to wait, the more time that goes on, the more likely you will have lingering symptoms, be dependent on medication, and need an invasive procedure such as surgery!