According to the American Chiropractic Association, damage to cervical nerves, muscles, discs, ligaments, and blood vessels causes sudden injury to the neck. Experts refer to this neck injury like whiplash. It happens because of the sudden forceful backward and forward movement of your head. Most people prefer natural treatments such as chiropractic care for this neck injury. If you want to join them in taking the alternative route, here’s what you need to know about chiropractic care for whiplash.
 

Muscle Stretching

Your chiropractor can target the pain and discomfort from your whiplash injury through muscle stimulation or relaxation. The gentle muscle stretches inhibit the contraction or tension in the affected muscles. For tight muscles, your chiropractor can apply a more vigorous stretching. Your specialist can also apply gentle finger pressure methods to various trigger points in your cervical area to relieve the tightness.
 

High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude (HVLA)

Chiropractic experts refer to HVLA as a type of conventional chiropractic technique. It is one of the oldest chiropractic care methods. Research shows that this technique is effective in the treatment of pain in the neck, low back, and mid-back. HVLA helps treat headaches, migraine, joint conditions, and disorders related to whiplash. Below are a few of the common HVLA techniques:
 

• Drop or Thompson Terminal Point technique. In the drop method, your chiropractor uses special tables with sections that drop slightly with each thrust. The dropping of the special table encourages joint movement. This technique is also a form of gentle mobilization.

• Gonstead adjustment. Chiropractic specialists use customized equipment such as a chest-knee table or a cervical chair to position you in a certain way. This method helps to locate the problem area.

• Diversified technique. During this treatment, your chiropractor performs a low-amplitude, high-velocity thrust over affected joints. The goal is to restore your normal ROM (range of motion).

Low-Velocity, Low Amplitude (LVLA)

This chiropractic technique involves moving your joint through a range of motion you can tolerate. The slow movements during this treatment aim to mobilize your joints. Chiropractors use this because of their patient’s preference or pain level. Here are two of the common LVLA techniques:
 

• Release work. In this method, your chiropractor restores your cervical vertebrae using gentle pressure by using fingertips.

• McKenzie. Here, your chiropractor uses the position you prefer to reduce your pain. During this technique, you will have active participation in your recovery. You can perform the McKenzie exercises in the clinic or at home. The exercises aim to decrease the disc disorder associated with your whiplash injury. Your movements will train your nervous system to control and coordinate your movements. They will also enhance your neck muscles and keep your neck stable.
   

Whiplash can result in long-term discomfort and pain. With proper chiropractic care, you can regain your neck’s normal range of motion. Here at Jassy Chiropractic Center, we can help improve your quality of life through our chiropractic care techniques for whiplash. You can visit our clinic in Midlothian, Virginia, for a one-on-one consultation. Please call us at 804-379-1145 if you want to schedule an appointment or ask questions about our chiropractic care methods for whiplash.