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This particular field of treatment has been around for centuries and since then it has advanced dramatically. Initially the basic purpose of chiropractic care use to be strengthening the spine and neck but now it serves as a full physical and mental center for care and can treat just about anything right from simple misalignment issues of the spine and joints to boosting the immune system and reducing stress, anxiety and depression. There are three major areas which are focused by a chiropractor, the first one is relieving acute pain. In order to get immediate results, corrective treatment is performed on spinal conditions and injuries which have developed over a long period of time without proper care so that overall health can be maintained. This is achieved with the help of regular minor adjustments of the spine, joints and the soft tissues. Acupuncture, acupressure and massage therapies are other methods which are utilized by a chiropractor to help a patient attain immediate relief and to help him achieve and maintain optimal health. Chiropractic care for immediate relief is the most commonly performed treatment. Patients who exhibit mild to extremely severe acute pain as a result of an injury, accident or any physical condition are benefited to a great extent from the immediate relief chiropractic adjustments given to them. The chiropractor does a full physical evaluation on the first visit and gets all the information required in order to devise a personalized rehabilitation plan.
The second method is known as the corrective chiropractic treatment and is used when a patient has been suffering from spinal pain for an extended period of time and is seeking chiropractic care because all other traditional methods like medication and surgery have failed. In such a case patient receives an individualized physical therapy plan which has been put together by the chiropractor keeping in mind the condition of the patient. It involves realigning of the spine and joints. This method drastically reduces and eliminates the pain of the patient and corrects the underlying medical condition and injury. The third method includes the maintenance of optimal health and is accomplished with the help of regular adjustments of the spine, soft tissues and joints. When the spine, soft tissues and joints are properly aligned the natural healing process is speeded up and it eliminates any interference between the nerves, mind and the body.

Spinal injuries and conditions can cause overall weakness within the spine which leads to health issues of the entire body. So, the initial visit to the chiropractor is what determines the method of treatment to be used as well as the number of visits of the patients required for him to regain optimal health. A person should always remember that he has one body and he must do whatever is necessary to acquire and maintain an optimal health.

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About 20 percent of people involved in rear-end collisions later experience symptoms that center in the neck region. Although most of these people recover quickly, a small number develop chronic conditions that result in severe pain and sometimes disability – but it is very important to be check by a spinal specialist after any trauma.

Interestingly enough the person may not have any pain at the time of the accident and for hours later. Here are some classic signs and symptoms of whiplash which usually develop within the first two days of the accident: neck pain and stiffness, headaches, pain in the shoulder or between the shoulder blades, low back pain, pain or numbness in the arm and/or hand, dizziness, and ringing in the ears or blurred vision, difficulty concentrating or remembering, irritability, sleep disturbance and fatigue.

Interestingly enough the person may not have any pain at the time of the accident and for hours later. Here are some classic signs and symptoms of whiplash which usually develop within the first two days of the accident: neck pain and stiffness, headaches, pain in the shoulder or between the shoulder blades, low back pain, pain or numbness in the arm and/or hand, dizziness, and ringing in the ears or blurred vision, difficulty concentrating or remembering, irritability, sleep disturbance and fatigue.

Your spine houses the master system of your body – your nervous system. Traumas such as whiplash can bring the vertebrae out of alignment which causes interference to the nerves exiting the spine (this is an oversimplified explanation of what occurs). The nervous system controls every organ, muscle and tissue in your body so any interference is detrimental. The medical term for this condition is called “Subluxation” and is the cause of many of the unwanted health conditions people suffer from everyday. Your family chiropractor is the only doctor recognized and regulated by the government to properly diagnose and treat Subluxations. Even if your whiplash injury was 30 years ago it is never too late to be checked for Subluxaitons.

Home care is intended to relieve your pain and minimize the amount of inflammation in the soft tissues of your neck. Apply ice to your neck for 35 minutes at a time, up to 4 times per day. Do not apply ice directly to your skin. Place a towel between the ice and your neck. Continue to use ice therapy until the pain stops. (After you see your chiropractor, follow his or her directions for ice therapy.) Only if the pain is intolerable, take acetaminophen for pain relief or ibuprofen for anti-inflammatory action. Avoid ibuprofen if you have a past medical history of gastritis, duodenitis, peptic ulcer disease, reflux, or other stomach problems. Remember these medications can cause serious health problems if taken for prolonged periods of time.

So don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled all around you when driving, especially in your rear view mirror, and please drive safely!

The information in this column is of a general nature. Dr. Amit Sharda – Chiropractor, of HealthWorks Wellness & Rehabilitation supports, educates and treats his patients towards Optimum Health. He hosts the community’s complementary Subluxation check-up centre. He can be reached at (905) 623-8388 or at www.hworks.ca.