Whiplash & Neck Injury Treatment in Huntsville & Scottsboro

Whiplash is a neck injury commonly inflicted during an automobile accident. The condition occurs when the neck rapidly moves back and forth, leading to straining or spraining of the muscles and ligaments of the area. For effective relief and personalized care, explore our neck pain treatment options at Tennessee Valley Pain Consultants. 

Common Symptoms of Whiplash

Individuals may not begin to notice signs of a neck injury until approximately 24 hours after they have suffered whiplash. Such symptoms typically include: 

  • Pain and stiffness of the neck 
  • Dizziness 
  • Tenderness and pain within muscles of the shoulder or upper back 
  • Increased irritability 
  • Numbness and tingling of the arms 
  • Fatigue 
  • Worsening headaches 
  • Decreased mobility of the neck 
  • Sleep problems 
  • Blurry vision 
  • Trouble concentrating 
  • Difficulty recalling events or other short term details 

Many persons involved in a car accident will quickly receive medical attention to diagnose any potential health problems, such as whiplash. It is important to remember that this condition can also result from other injuries to the neck, including sports injuries. You should contact Tennessee Valley Pain Consultants if you begin to notice classic symptoms of whiplash including those listed above, especially if your condition worsens over a short period of time. 

Tests Used to Diagnose Whiplash

It is standard practice for our physicians to conduct a physical examination of any patient who exhibits clear symptoms of whiplash. During this examination, you and your provider will discuss any events that may have led to trauma of the neck. Your doctor will also manually manipulate the muscles of the neck to assess their current range of motion and key problem areas. 

If the physical examination is not enough to confirm a case of whiplash, additional imaging tests may be ordered. This process is particularly common in patients who have suffered injury to their soft tissues, which include the muscles, ligaments, and discs within the spine’s upper most vertebrae. Common imaging tests used during the diagnosis of a neck injury include: 

  • X-ray 
  • Computerized tomography (CT scan) 
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 

Whiplash Treatment in Huntsville & Scottsboro, AL

There are a variety of ways to treat whiplash, all of which are primarily based upon the patient’s specific symptoms and chronic issues. Many individuals will gain relief from their neck injury in the first few weeks following the trauma. However, for those who continue to experience chronic pain and discomfort from whiplash, additional interventional pain therapy may be needed. 

Chiropractic & Interventional Treatments for Whiplash

Specialized techniques have shown substantial improvement in a variety of injuries to the soft tissues of the body as well as those to the spine. 

At Tennessee Valley Pain Consultants, our providers will work to ensure that patients suffering from complications of whiplash are treated based on major focal points of their pain. This includes effectively treating problem areas using muscle manipulation, muscle relaxation, routine stretches and exercises, and targeted therapies to repair and prevent further damage to the neck. 

Not every one of these techniques may be used for each individual, as every case of whiplash is different and therefore, will cause different symptoms to occur. 

To find out which treatment method is right for you and your recurring problems from whiplash, please contact the specialists at Tennessee Valley Pain Consultants today to schedule your initial consultation. Patients may request an appointment online, or by calling our office in Huntsville at (256) 265-7246 or Scottsboro at (256) 380-3778 during regular office hours.