Whiplash: Restoring Wellness and Mobility After Injury In Studio City

Whiplash, a common injury resulting from sudden neck movements, often during auto accidents, can cause significant discomfort and impairment for those who suffer with it. At Back to Wellness in Studio City, we specialize in comprehensive multidisciplinary whiplash treatment. Our dedicated team of chiropractors, massage therapists, physical therapists, and other specialists are committed to helping you recover and restore your well-being.

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Whiplash Phases – From Impact to Recovery

Whiplash injuries occur in four distinct phases, each contributing to the overall trauma experienced by the affected individual in a matter of seconds:

Phase 1: Initial Impact

During a rear-end car collision, your mid back is forcefully pressed against the seat, exerting an upward force on your cervical spine. This compression can lead to damage in the discs and joints. Simultaneously, as the back of your seat accelerates your torso forward, your head moves backward, causing a shearing force in the neck. Despite the presence of head restraints, most damage occurs before the head reaches them.

Phase 2: Acceleration

The torso reaches peak acceleration, exceeding that of the vehicle. This phase often leads to bone, joint, nerve, disc, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) injuries due to the “s” curve development in the cervical spine.

Phase 3: Deceleration

As the torso descends in the seat, the neck and head experience their peak acceleration. If pressure on the brake pedal was released during previous phases, it is reapplied here.

Phase 4: Impact and Strain

The torso is abruptly stopped by the seat belt and shoulder restraint, while the head continues to move forward. This causes violent straining of muscles and ligaments, potentially cutting fibers in the spinal discs and forcing vertebrae out of alignment. The stretching of the spinal cord and nerve roots may result in brain injury.

Whiplash Symptoms and Injuries

Whiplash may cause a range of symptoms and injuries, such as:

• Neck Pain:

  The most common complaint, affecting the muscles, ligaments, facet joints, and nerves of the neck.

• Headaches:

  Often accompanying neck pain, headaches can stem from brain injury or injury to muscles, ligaments, and facet joints.

• TMJ Problems:

  Whiplash can cause problems with the temporomandibular joint, manifesting as pain, clicking, and popping during jaw motion. It may lead to headaches, facial pain, ear pain, and difficulties in eating.

• Brain Injury:

  Forceful movement of the brain can dislocate it from the skull, resulting in bleeding or bruising. Brain injuries may cause mild confusion, sleep disturbance, irritability, forgetfulness, depression, and emotional instability.

• Dizziness:

  Injury to cervical facet joints or brain damage can cause dizziness.

• Low Back Pain:

  Compression experienced by the lower back during the initial phases of whiplash can contribute to low back pain.

Our Holistic Approach to Whiplash Recovery

We offer personalized treatment for whiplash tailored to expedite recovery. Our multidisciplinary team approach ensures comprehensive and holistic treatment for effective relief, and include theg following:

Chiropractic Care

Our skilled chiropractors restore normal movement and alignment of the spinal vertebrae through precise adjustments. Chiropractic care helps alleviate pain, promote healing, and improve overall joint stability, flexibility, and muscle tone.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is a beneficial complement to whiplash treatment. It reduces stress, relieves muscle tension, improves flexibility, and aids joint mobilization. Massage therapy also helps improve posture, reduce the risk of future injuries, increase joint stability, and promote relaxation.

Physical Therapy

Our experienced physical therapists develop personalized treatment plans incorporating therapeutic exercises, stretches, and modalities. Physical therapy for whiplash aims to restore strength, flexibility, and function to the affected areas, promoting a complete recovery.

Home Care

We emphasize the importance of continued whiplash treatment at home. Our experts provide guidance on essential home care techniques such as ice pack application, stretching exercises, maintaining a balanced diet, and ensuring sufficient rest. These measures support the healing process and enhance overall well-being.

Medical Intervention

In cases of severe whiplash, medical intervention may be necessary. We collaborate with medical practitioners to provide a comprehensive approach to your recovery. Medical interventions may include muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory medications, trigger point injections, and, when appropriate, epidural spinal injections to manage pain and facilitate healing.

Call To Book Your Physical Therapy Session Today!

Recover From Whiplash With Ease: Choose Back to Wellness

Our team at Back to Wellness is dedicated to your well-being and provides specialized treatment for whiplash injuries. By choosing us, you will gain access to a compassionate group of experts who blend chiropractic care, massage therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture and pilates-based exercises. Our unique and integrative approach ensures a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan specifically tailored to your needs. Our team collaborates with other healthcare professionals to provide holistic care that supports you on your journey to recovery.

Call us today at 818-985-2559 to schedule an appointment or ask any questions. We are here to guide you toward optimal health and well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common symptoms of whiplash?

Common whiplash symptoms include neck pain, headaches, fatigue, upper back and shoulder pain, cognitive changes, and low back pain. These symptoms may vary in intensity and duration depending on the individual.

How long does it take to recover from whiplash?

With proper treatment, whiplash typically heals within 6 months. However, the recovery time may vary based on the severity of the injury and individual factors. It’s important to seek professional healthcare to ensure an effective and timely recovery.

Can chiropractic care help with whiplash recovery?

Yes, chiropractic care is highly beneficial for whiplash recovery. Chiropractors specialize in restoring the normal movement and alignment of the spinal vertebrae, reducing pain, promoting healing, and improving overall joint stability and flexibility.

What is soft tissue rehabilitation, and how does it help in whiplash recovery?

Soft tissue rehabilitation focuses on stimulating the healing of muscles, ligaments, and discs affected by whiplash injury. Therapies such as massage therapy, stretching, electro-stimulation, and trigger point therapy are used to promote soft tissue healing, reduce pain, and restore proper function.

Is medical intervention necessary for whiplash treatment?

In more severe cases of whiplash, medical intervention may be necessary. Medical practitioners may prescribe muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory medications, or administer injections to manage pain and facilitate healing. However, the need for medical intervention varies on a case-by-case basis and is best determined by healthcare professionals.

Can I use insurance to cover the cost of my treatment?

We accept a wide range of insurance plans, including private insurance and third-party insurance in cases of referral from lawyers involved in personal injury cases. We understand that navigating insurance coverage can be complex, but our team is here to assist you every step of the way. If you have any questions about your insurance coverage or payment options, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We also welcome referrals from other medical professionals and strive to accommodate walk-in appointments.