The neck is extremely flexible. Made up of only 7 vertebrae, this amazing part of your body is strong enough to hold up your head, which, as we all know from the kid in Jerry Maguire, weighs 8 lbs. on average.
Those magical 7 vertebrae not only keep your head up; they also extend it frontwards, backwards, or side to side in either direction.
Clearly your neck is very important for everyday function. If you’re struck from behind in a car accident, the neck usually absorbs much of the shock and snaps beyond it’s normal flexible range. This often leads to symptoms such as headaches, muscle pain, stiffness, difficulty concentrating, fatigue and dizziness. Not only that; it may also impact the rest of your body’s function as nerves are compressed and signals to your organs become weakened…
Perhaps you’ve been a victim of whiplash in the past or even recently. At Queen City Health Center, we treat numerous Charlotte car accident victims each month, and we understand that curing whiplash take time. But the good news is, it is curable with the right exercises, regular chiropractic adjustments, and even modifications to your diet and lifestyle. Here are some of our top recommendations for treating and curing whiplash following an auto accident in Charlotte NC.
Tip #1: See a chiropractor! Seems like a no-brainer, right? ;) Perhaps you’re not sure if or how a chiropractor can help you. Or maybe you’ve heard that chiropractic is not a “legitimate” form of medical care. But chiropractors can help in a number of ways when it comes to curing whiplash.
When you visit Queen City Health Center, our Charlotte chiropractors will start by taking a close look at your neck and spine via an X-ray. Once we see the extent of the damage done, we’ll address it through spinal manipulation. The goal is to get those 7 vertebrae back into proper alignment with the right degree of curvature to promote optimal healing, not just to your head and neck, but also to the rest of your body. We’ll also prescribe some at-home exercises and treatments that you can do to encourage relaxation, strengthen your neck muscles, and train your nervous system toward proper movement patterns and stability.
Tip #2: Change your diet. You may be wondering, “what does food have to do with pain in my neck?” And to that, we say “everything!” As a matter of fact, we recently wrote another post on how to cure pain with dietary changes. Check it out here for more info.
Essentially, certain foods (ahem, sugar…) increase inflammation. In order to promote fast healing, it is best to limit your intake of said foods.
Tip #3: Rest. Make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep—at least 8 hours per night if possible. Your body needs sleep in order to heal itself. Also, be very cautious when it comes to exercising. This is not the time to put added strain on your neck or back by lifting heavy weights at the gym. Give your body time to heal and get permission from your chiropractor before resuming your normal fitness regimen.
Tip #4: Stay hydrated. Just like sleep, your body needs plenty of water to promote fast recovery. Dehydration also carries a host of other symptoms with it, like joint pain, which can amplify the discomfort you’re already experiencing from whiplash.