Skip to main content

Whiplash Treatment in Springfield, IL

If you’ve ever been in an auto accident, you know just how scary they can be. Even the most minor collisions causing no damage to either vehicle or person can leave a person shaken and scared. If you’ve ever been in an auto accident where you or someone else got hurt, you know how traumatic and difficult it is to endure. As the saying goes, “accidents happen”. Often. In fact, it’s estimated that an auto accident occurs every 60 seconds in the US. That amounts to over 5 million accidents per year! The reality is, if you are reading this, there is a very good chance you could be in an accident at some point in your life.

When someone is in an auto accident, one of the most common injuries they experience is called “whiplash”, which refers to the violent way the head moves back and forth in response to the impact of the colliding vehicles. While whiplash is commonly thought to occur only in rear-end accidents in which the head moves backwards and forwards, whiplash can also occur in other motions such as side to side. When a vehicle is suddenly stopped or suddenly forced into movement, it forces the person’s head to move. When the neck muscles get stretched too much as a result, they reflexively tighten, which sends the head in the other direction. This can cause damage to muscles, ligaments, nerves, and joints in the neck, which causes problems such as neck pain, radiating pain into the arms, or headaches. Healing time from whiplash can vary greatly depending on the extent of the damage as well as other factors such as age and trauma history (i.e. previous neck injuries).

One of the most common consequences of whiplash in auto accidents is subluxation in the neck. Subluxation occurs when a spinal bone (vertebra) or whole section of the spine becomes restricted or misaligned. This causes irritation and inflammation of the nerves and joints alike within the spine, which causes symptoms such as pain, numbness, or burning. Chiropractors are the only kind of doctor who is expertly trained to identify and correct subluxation in the spine. If you are in an auto accident, it is vital that you have your spine checked by one as soon as possible.

$49 New Patient Special

Includes consultation with your doctor, thorough chiropractic examination, first treatment and customized plan of action.

How Our Whiplash Care Plan Works

Schedule Your New Patient Exam

Set up a time so you and your Doctor can do a thorough history and examination to determine the root cause of your pain.

Get A Customized Plan of Action

Your Doctor will create a custom plan of attack to not only get you out of pain fast but to keep you out of pain long term.

Live A Pain Free Energetic Life

Receive the care you need for your problem so you can get back to the time when pain wasn’t dictating what you could do.

How We Treat Whiplash in Springfield, IL

Comprehensive Consultation and Exam

At the Springfield Wellness Center, your visit will begin with a thorough consultation. During this time, the doctor you see will review the accident in detail as far as what happened, what injuries you sustained, and how they are affecting your quality of life. Our doctors want to listen to you and understand the impact this has had on you so they can make the best possible recommendations for care. Before doing this, though, they will do a detailed exam so that your condition may be properly diagnosed. The doctor will perform various orthopedic, neurologic, and functional movement testing to accurately determine what the best course of action will be. The ultimate goal is to restore you to pre-accident status, which means how you were feeling just before the accident occurred. That process begins at this important first visit.

Specific Chiropractic Care in Springfield, IL

Chiropractic care is the foundation of the care we provide at the Springfield Wellness Center for people who are suffering from whiplash. Oftentimes, these injuries occur in rear-end accidents, but they can also happen if a vehicle is struck from the side. In either circumstance, forces are applied to the neck that can alter the function of the spine, joints, muscles, and nerves.

Chiropractors specialize in maintaining the alignment of the spine. If a part of the spine is shifted or rotated due to a whiplash trauma, they use their hands to gently correct the misalignment. This often will create instant relief for the patient, as it improves ranges of motion and decreases the pain. Because injuries like these are to be taken seriously, your doctor will guide you through a treatment plan designed to get you through this experience and back to the life that you want to live. After all, if an accident causes a physical injury such as whiplash, no pill or injection can fix that physical problem. Chiropractic is effective because it addresses the root cause of the problem and puts the body in a position to heal properly.

Massage Therapy and Soft Tissue Work

When a person experiences whiplash, the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and upper back sustain a tremendous amount of strain. If there is enough speed or force involved, it can even cause muscles to rupture. For most people, however, the muscles in a whiplash injury are very stiff and sore, causing limited range of motion, pain, and tenderness to touch. At the Springfield Wellness Center, our massage therapists are experts in helping these irritated muscles heal. Their gentle techniques will help remove adhesions in the muscles and provide some much-needed relief to this suffering patient population.

If you don’t think massage therapy is for you, our chiropractors are also trained in numerous soft tissue techniques, including Active Release and Graston Techniques. These techniques are also designed to free the muscles from adhesions which restore mobility and function to the muscles. While Graston involves the use of a metal tool, Active Release is done by hand. Regardless of which technique is used, the goal is the same. Reduce muscle tension and irritation to allow for a better healing experience.

Read Our Online Reviews

Excellent
Based on 573 reviews
janelle clemens
janelle clemens
2023-10-26
Great experience. Feeling relief after just the 1st visit.
Marvin Kirk
Marvin Kirk
2023-10-15
Look, it was only a consultation but I feel I have made the right decision seeing a chiropractor. They did a little cracking of the back and it was that that made me feel I was in the right place. He explained the plan of action and I am looking forward to finally getting rid of this sciatica pain. I've tried everything except surgery. I've been dealing with this for a year. Stay tuned because when I'm pain free, you will hear about it.
Brian Fowler
Brian Fowler
2023-10-11
Very personable and caring folks. They started to treat me right away. Thanks!
Natasha Talkington
Natasha Talkington
2023-10-08
They are very polite. They even worked on the muscles in my back.
Sarah Garcia
Sarah Garcia
2023-10-06
Always a great experience here. They are quick, efficient, affordable and effective. They are always willing to fit me in quickly if needed.
Aleicia Schmitz
Aleicia Schmitz
2023-10-05
Dr Rob always helps relieve any pain I have. I Just tell him what’s hurting and he knows how to fix it! I am constantly amazed at how much better I feel after every appointment. And Julie is always so helpful with getting me worked in and working with my schedule! The massages are wonderful as well. Definitely the place to go to get relief from your aches and pains.
Bryan Hantle
Bryan Hantle
2023-09-26
Very friendly fast and proficient ! Efficiency works with people.
Bob Passmore
Bob Passmore
2023-09-22
Very friendly, very professional people. Dr. Pat was very welcoming making me feel at home. Explained everything he was going to do before he done it. I felt alot better after I left the office. Thank you.
judy harms
judy harms
2023-09-20
Very efficient,caring, knowledgeable. The evaluation and treatment was done in a timely manner .
Michael Benanti
Michael Benanti
2023-09-16
Dr. Rob has been nothing short of a magician. I went in with debilitating neck pain and was without pain in a couple of days and pain-free since. He’s an awesome dude who is compassionate and friendly. The staff have been beyond helpful and accommodating. Thank you!
Schedule Your Appointment Today

Common Symptoms of Whiplash in Springfield, IL

Neck Pain

Perhaps the most common symptom of whiplash from an auto accident is neck pain due to the forceful nature of neck movement during this type of accident. Rapid neck movement can cause damage to discs, nerves, muscles, and/or joints in the neck, which can create severe, even sometimes debilitating pain. It is important to have a chiropractor evaluate the patient’s neck as soon as possible after an accident to determine the extent of the damage and the right approach to treating this problem effectively. Chiropractic, soft tissue work, and exercise are three of the common treatments utilized at the Springfield Wellness Center to get fantastic results for patients who have been in a car accident.

Concussion

Another very common symptom that is related to accidents involving whiplash is the occurrence of a concussion. When a car rapidly stops or is rapidly put into motion, it causes the head and neck to move quickly, as in whiplash. This rapid neck movement can cause the brain to essentially smash into the interior of the skull, causing bruising on the brain. Symptoms of a concussion can include confusion, trouble concentrating, headache, dizziness, just to name a few. It’s important to know that symptoms may not begin right away, so it is critical to be evaluated on a regular basis, especially if you begin to experience symptoms such as these.

Headaches

A very common symptom associated with whiplash, and concussions, are headaches. Even if a concussion is not present, headaches are still a very common symptom of whiplash. This is primarily due to the rapid head movement that can cause damage to muscles, nerves, and discs in the upper cervical region. These nerves and muscles travel up the back of the head, oftentimes causing tension headaches. These headaches are pretty indistinguishable from typical headaches, so it is important to get this problem addressed as quickly as possible before it becomes more of a chronic issue. Chronic headaches can last for years and sometimes even decades, so the sooner they are addressed, the less likely you are to develop a chronic issue.

Shoulder Pain

Sometimes overlooked due to the obvious effects whiplash can have on the head and neck, shoulder pain is also a common symptom of this type of accident. There are many muscles attached to the shoulder and neck, which is why these injuries are so common with other whiplash-related injuries. Shoulder injuries such as muscle strain or even rotator cuff strains can be invoked from a whiplash situation in which the head is moving rapidly back and forth, especially in a side-to-side direction. A combination of deep tissue laser and soft tissue work is very effective in treating shoulder pain that results from whiplash-type injuries from a car accident.

Check Out Our Location Near You

1000 S. Durkin Dr, Springfield, IL 62704

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Common Symptoms of Whiplash in Springfield, IL

Can a chiropractor in Springfield, IL help with whiplash?

Yes! The chiropractors at the Springfield Wellness Center are experts at handling auto accident cases that involve whiplash. They will take you through the exam process, provide excellent care, and help get you back to feeling your best again. The SWC staff will help you navigate the insurance and/or legal process so that you can stay focused on healing and feeling better.

Should you see a chiropractor after whiplash?

Absolutely. The sooner you can see a chiropractor after your accident, the better. The longer you wait to have this problem checked out, the better chance it has of becoming a chronic problem. Chronic injuries can last for months, years, or even decades, so you definitely want to manage this injury as quickly as possible. The Springfield Wellness Center will perform a thorough examination to determine the extent of your injury and give you a specific treatment plan for your specific needs.

Is massage good for whiplash?

Yes, massage can be very effective for treating whiplash. This type of injury often causes very tight, tense muscles that can limit range of motion and cause pain. Massage therapy can work through this tension and help the muscles to heal and get back to normal function. Sometimes it can take time, so you must be patient with yourself and allow your body the time it needs to heal adequately from such a traumatic incident.

How soon after a car accident should you see a chiropractor?

As soon as possible. The sooner you are seen by a chiropractor, the less time your recovery could potentially take. There are times when people don’t get checked by a chiropractor until 3-4 months after the injury, and as a result, their care takes a lot longer because the injury has become chronic and much more difficult to manage. If you are in a whiplash-causing accident, make getting checked by a chiropractor a priority.

Can whiplash symptoms get worse over time?

Definitely. The longer you have a problem, the worse it can potentially get. This is especially true for headaches, neck pain, and pain traveling down the arms (as in a pinched nerve). If the nerves are damaged, they can take a long time to heal. If little to no treatment is performed, it is possible that symptoms could last for years, decades, or even longer.

$49 New Patient Special

Includes consultation with your doctor, thorough chiropractic examination, first treatment and customized plan of action.

Schedule Your Appointment Today
Skip to content