Understanding Neck Strains
Also known as whiplash, a neck strain occurs when the muscles or tendons in the neck are damaged. Even a rear-end collision at just five MPH can cause your neck to move forward and backward in a whip-like motion, resulting in injury.
It’s a common misconception that whiplash only happens in car accidents. Sports injuries, falls, or any event that stretches the neck muscles beyond their normal range of motion can also lead to whiplash.
This means many people will experience whiplash at some point in their lives—but the good news is that recovery is possible.
Overcoming Whiplash
Proper care is essential to prevent further complications. Here are some steps to promote healing:
Ice: Apply ice to the injured area for no more than 20 minutes at a time, every 3–4 hours for the first 2–3 days. Wrap the ice pack in a towel to prevent frostbite.
Moist Heat: After the first 2–3 days of icing, apply moist heat to restore blood flow. Do not use heat until swelling has been reduced by ice.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic: Ice and heat alone may not fully address whiplash. An evaluation by an upper cervical chiropractor ensures the upper cervical spine is properly aligned, reducing pressure on the brainstem and preventing further complications.
Your Upper Neck Vertebrae and Whiplash
During whiplash, the top two vertebrae in the neck—the Atlas and Axis—can be stretched beyond their normal range. Even a misalignment of only ¼ millimeter can disrupt communication between the brain and the body. This miscommunication can lead to migraines, neck and back problems, vertigo, and other issues.
At Advanced Spinal Care, Dr. Lapenski specializes in correcting these misalignments to restore proper function, helping patients recover more fully from whiplash.
Schedule your evaluation with Dr. Lapenski today and take the first step toward improved pain tolerance, better sleep, and a healthier life.
For more information, visit www.nuccawashington.com.
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Dr. Craig Lapenski at Advanced Spinal Care, in Graham, Washington is one of 27 Board Certified NUCCA Doctors worldwide. His clinic serves the highest quality upper cervical care in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Lapenski also serves a number of patients who are out of state including Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, New York, and more! He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines, headaches, fibromyalgia, vertigo, neck pain, back pain, and more. More information can be found on our website at https://www.nuccawashington.com/