When an automobile accident occurs there is a likelihood that the driver or passengers may be injured. Not all injuries become apparent immediately after a crash. As a prominent Lakeland FL Chiropractor explains, a soft-tissue injury may not show symptoms until days or weeks following the incident.

Whiplash is an injury that commonly occurs in an accident, especially if your car is hit from behind. This sudden stop causes the head to move forward and then backward in rapid succession. The result of this abrupt movement is neck pain that can range from moderate to excruciating.

You may suffer muscular strain, tearing of soft-tissue or ruptured ligaments. The cervical vertebrae, which are the small bones in the neck, are often jerked out of place. Headaches, soreness or limited movement of the head may result in temporary disability.

When the pain is moderate to severe you can seek help in the office of a chiropractor. You will be evaluated through answering questions, having the spine examined and range-of motion testing done. An x-ray may be necessary for a thorough assessment.

Following that, a care plan can be arranged. In many cases it will include a series of manual adjustments to the neck. This is an effective way to combat the pain, especially if one or more of the cervical vertebrae are out of place.

If one of these small bones is out of place it might be impacting one of the nerve roots located there. The pain may prevent you from going to work or enjoying your life. Spinal adjustments serve to move the vertebra back into place. This relieves the pressure and that alleviates the pain.

In addition, massage can be used to ease the sore shoulders that often accompany whiplash. A cervical collar, which stabilizes the head, is sometimes worn for a short time. The chiropractor may give you some mild rehabilitative exercises to do at home between appointments for the adjustments. Your goal of returning to work and other normal activity will certainly be an attainable one.