Neck pain for the people of Tallahassee occurs in similar ways that back pain does. Degeneration and trauma are the main two categories. Overuse in combination with years of stress can cause your spine to degenerate and wear out ahead of schedule. Trauma is a sudden injury or accident that can throw your spine out of balance.
Types of trauma that can cause neck pain are:
1. Car accident (Whiplash)
2. Tripping/Falling/Slipping
3. Sports Injuries
All of these injuries can leave you in a substantial amount of pain and discomfort. Most people don’t consider that when you deal with this pain you become distracted, irritable or the pain can spread. This can reduce your quality of life and happiness. Our goal is to find the cause of the pain, treat it, and relieve it.
Whiplash in Tallahassee, Florida occurs often. Due to the high volume of traffic concentrated around the capital, it can make it tough to drive in this town. Frustration in this traffic can also happen quite easily, leading to poor driving.
Distracted driving is also a new problem in the world. This is usually when the driver is on their phone while driving. Texting is the most common and the deadliest distraction. Considering all of these factors, you can see why whiplash is common.
In extreme circumstances, whiplash can even reverse your necks natural curve. This may spread pain to your shoulders, arms, hands, and low back. Sometimes these symptoms are delayed weeks or even months after the whiplash has occurred.
Whiplash affects the neck in four places:
1. Vertebrae – the bones protect your spinal cord. Misalignment occurs when they are forced out of their natural position.
2. Muscles and ligaments – the supportive tissue around the vertebrae. This can be stretched or even torn depending on the force of the whiplash.
3. Nerves – they carry messages throughout the body. They can be irritated or pinched during injury.
4. Discs – the shock absorbers. They can wear down, bulge or even rupture.
To treat your whiplash, Dr. Whitfield will examine your injury and use chiropractic techniques to lessen the pressure on you neck. Receiving regular adjustments can improve mobility, strength and balance of your neck. Make sure to keep correct posture, and use the techniques Dr. Whitfield teaches you for flexibility and strengthening.
Start your road to recovery here by making an appointment.