If you’ve recently been in a car accident or experienced trauma that affected your head, neck, or upper back, you could be dealing with a whiplash injury. Whiplash injuries can be excruciating from the start, but sometimes the pain and other symptoms may take days, weeks, or even months to become apparent.

Whether you’re currently in pain or not, seeking examination and treatment for a whiplash injury is crucial. Early intervention can significantly reduce the risk of developing chronic pain.

Your neck is a crucial part of your daily life, with its wide range of motion enabling your everyday activities. Your neck bears the weight of your approximately 11-pound head, and its proper treatment is essential following a whiplash injury.

DuPage Integrative Medicine takes pride in offering one of the most effective treatment protocols available for individuals suffering from whiplash and chronic neck pain. At our Naperville, IL physical medicine clinic, we provide real solutions to alleviate your whiplash symptoms without merely masking them with harmful medications.

Understanding the Causes of Whiplash

Whiplash is categorized as a soft tissue injury resulting from a sudden, forceful movement of the neck or head, followed by a rebound movement in the opposite direction. This leads to injuries in the discs, ligaments, intervertebral joints, cervical muscles, and nerve roots.

The most common cause of whiplash is auto collisions, and it can even occur in low-speed or low-impact car accidents. Other forms of trauma, such as falls, physical assaults, or contact sports, can also result in whiplash.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Whiplash

In some cases, the effects of whiplash may not be immediately evident after the accident, only becoming noticeable days, weeks, or months later. The severity of whiplash symptoms can vary, and neck injuries can cause pain in other areas of the body, such as the head, shoulders, or upper back. Generally, women and children experience more severe symptoms due to their lower cervical muscle mass.

Possible symptoms of whiplash include:

  • Neck pain
  • Neck stiffness
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Abnormal sensations like burning or tingling
  • Shoulder pain
  • Back pain
  • Memory loss
  • Poor concentration
  • Nervousness
  • Irritability
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Fatigue
  • Depression

Treating Whiplash

If you’ve been in a car accident or experienced trauma that might have caused a whiplash injury, it’s essential to undergo a thorough evaluation.

Through a comprehensive physical examination, range of motion testing, and, if necessary, digital imaging, our doctors can develop the most effective protocol to address your whiplash and alleviate your pain.

When left untreated, 50% of whiplash cases result in chronic shoulder and neck pain. Moreover, untreated whiplash increases the risk of cervical spine degeneration in the future.

At DuPage Integrative Medicine, we believe you deserve a pain-free life without relying on harmful medications like NSAIDs, antidepressants, or muscle relaxers. Our highly trained medical team and doctors are here to help the Central Oregon community find lasting relief through natural means.

When you visit our medical clinic, our doctors will conduct a comprehensive exam and diagnosis to create an individualized treatment plan targeting the source of your whiplash. Our aim is to work with you to restore proper neck function and range of motion while relieving your pain.

If you’ve been in an auto accident, you may qualify for an examination and treatment with no out-of-pocket costs. Contact our office to learn more.

Treatment methods for whiplash may include:

  • Platelet Rich Plasma treatments
  • Regenerative treatments
  • Cervical traction
  • Trigger point injections
  • Targeted strengthening and stretching exercises
  • Postural alignment using Chiropractic BioPhysics
  • Chiropractic adjustments