Whiplash has various symptoms ranging in severity. For those who find themselves suffering from the condition, the goal is to get comfort back as quickly as possible. Reaching into the medicine cabinet isn’t the best solution and can even worsen the injury.
For safe, non-invasive care, it’s always best to visit a chiropractor after an injury or accident that’s led to whiplash. But sometime you need relief now. This article details five ways to naturally treat your whiplash pain at home.
So, let’s get to it…
What is Whiplash and Do I Have It?
Whiplash occurs when the head is suddenly and violently thrust back and forth. The cervical spine (the portion of the spine in the neck) and its connective soft tissues are aggressively pulled or stretched to unnatural limits.
You may experience whiplash for various reasons, including:
- A rear-ended auto accident
- A powerful fall
- When the arms are violently pulled
- A sports injury
- A blow or hit to the chin, head, or body
If you’ve been involved in one of these accidents, you may feel any number of symptoms, including:
- Neck stiffness and loss of range of motion
- Neck pain
- Radiating pain from the neck into the shoulders
- Headaches
- Tingling, numbness, and tenderness in the neck, upper back, shoulders, and arms
- Dizziness
- Fatigue and insomnia
- Reduced focus and energy
- And more
Fortunately, you can take some at-home steps right now to help alleviate your discomfort.
1. Ice and Heat
After an accident, apply ice or an ice pack to the neck (wrapped in a towel to prevent burning). This will help reduce inflammation that can cause pain and motion loss.
After 24 hours, add a steady combination of ice and heat. Heat will soothe sore muscles and provide overall relaxation to the area.
You can keep both ice and heat on the skin for about 15 minutes at a time and do the rotation up to three times a day.
2. Stretch
Gentle and proper movement is helpful when injured, making stretching a safe way to help heal as you find comfort. Stretching will encourage flexibility and restore motion as the tissues balance and strengthen.
Stretches can include:
- Dropping your chin to your chest and then back into proper alignment
- Turning the head from side to side
- Dropping the ear over the corresponding shoulder
- Dropping the chin and circling the head from forward to side to back to other side
With these movements, you want to be sure you aren’t overly forceful. If it feels uncomfortable or like your tissues can’t support the movement, talk to a chiropractor before continuing, so you don’t cause further damage.
3. Rest
Just as crucial as movement is rest. Don’t over-extend your neck tissues or spine; listen to your body when it’s telling you to stop. Taking rests while working on a computer, getting off the handheld device, and not participating in demanding physical activity- all of these can help keep your neck safe as it heals.
Besides these rests throughout the day, getting quality sleep at night is essential. Sleeping is crucial for your body to restore, rejuvenate, and recover, so don’t miss out on that good, healthy sleep.
4. Massage
After any kind of injury or accident, most of us feel mental stress that can lead to physical imbalance and pain. A massage can help reduce stress and anxiety and promote relaxation and comfort.
However, massaging the neck while injured can also help speed up the healing process and encourage healthy oxygen, blood, and nutrient flow to the affected area.
5. Support
Using a U-shaped pillow throughout the day can take some pressure off the spine and the neck’s soft tissues while still allowing them to exert some movement.
While sleeping for the night, ensure you use a firmer pillow so your neck stays in spinal alignment, and sleep on your back or side rather than your stomach, which can cause an unnatural neck position.
Work With a Chiropractor in Orem for Fast, Safe Whiplash Recovery
The tips provided above can help relieve whiplash pain; however, they likely won’t cure the condition without some help from a chiropractor.
Chiropractors are an excellent go-to for successful whiplash treatment, as they are educated and experienced in matters related to spine and soft tissue injuries and how to heal them. Our Orem chiropractic team pulls from numerous effective chiropractic services for the most efficient recovery.
Chiropractic solutions to treat whiplash include:
- Chiropractic care
- Massage therapy
- Sports injury rehabilitation
- Dry needling
- Kinesio taping
If you’re ready to end your whiplash pain by treating the underlying condition, let’s schedule your appointment and get you living pain-free and actively.