Tropea Chiropractic Inc.

Tony Tropea, DC
Chiropractor located in Downtown Sunnyvale,
Sunnyvale, CA

Whiplash is the most common injury that occurs in car accidents and personal injuries. If you’ve experienced whiplash and need treatment, visit Tropea Chiropractic Inc. Located in Downtown Sunnyvale, California, the practice offers effective relief from whiplash pain so you can get back to normal. To begin treatment, call or schedule an appointment online today.

Whiplash Q & A

What is whiplash?

Whiplash is the term for any movement that overstretches the ligaments of the spine and leads to pain, stiffness, and muscle spasms. In a car accident, slip, or fall that causes whiplash, your head is abruptly jerked forward and backward, putting excessive forces on the ligaments of your neck.

In response to these forces, the ligaments of your neck stretch to protect your joints from damage. Then your muscles spasm to prevent the ligaments from stretching to the point that they tear.

While these natural protective mechanisms can prevent more serious injuries, whiplash can be very painful and may limit your range of motion significantly.

What are the symptoms of whiplash?

Symptoms of whiplash vary from mild to severe pain and disability and include:

• Neck stiffness
• Popping, clicking, or locking in your neck
• Headache
• Muscle soreness or spasm
• Tension in your jaw
• Dizziness
• Ringing in your ears
• Neck and back pain
•  Numbness and tingling in your arms or hands

In some cases, whiplash symptoms begin immediately after a car accident or personal injury, though it may take several weeks for symptoms to appear in milder cases.

How is whiplash diagnosed?

Whiplash is diagnosed following a thorough consultation and exam at Tropea Chiropractic Inc. Your doctor asks about the incident that caused the whiplash, like a car accident or fall, and your symptoms.

Then they take you through a series of orthopedic tests to measure your range of motion and evaluate the severity of damage to your ligaments and muscles.

For severe whiplash cases with significant muscle spasms, spinal instability, or if you’re over the age of 65, your doctor may refer you for X-rays. If you are working with an attorney on your insurance claim, X-rays are another form of documentation of your injury that may be required.

How is whiplash treated?

Tropea Chiropractic Inc. provides full rehabilitation services in the office to relieve whiplash pain and improve the function of your neck. Your treatment plan can include:

• Chiropractic adjustments
• Physical therapy
• Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) for muscle spasms and trigger points
• Massage therapy
• Traction
• Ice or heat
• At-home recommendations

Tropea Chiropractic Inc. makes your recovery their top priority and works with you to develop a personalized treatment plan to address all of your symptoms and help you return to normal as quickly as possible.

Find relief from your whiplash symptoms by scheduling an appointment online or by phone at Tropea Chiropractic Inc. now.