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The Chiropractic Answer to Whiplash
Whiplash is an all-too-common consequence of the more than
one million rear-end collisions
that take place in the United States every year. Although the
classic symptoms of whiplash
(headache, dizziness, neck, shoulder, jaw and/or arm pain) may
subside after a few
weeks of appropriate care, it's estimated that nearly one in
four cases will become
chronic, resulting in long-term discomfort and disability.
Chiropractic may offer the best opportunity for relief from
the pain of whiplash, according
to a study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Medicine.
Ninety-three patients
with chronic whiplash symptoms were divided into three groups
based upon the nature
and severity of their symptoms. All 93 patients received an average
of 19.3 chiropractic
adjustments over the study period (about four months).
Results showed that two of the three groups (patients with
neck pain, restricted neck
range of motion and/or neurological symptoms) improved under
chiropractic care, with
85.5% reporting "some benefit," 33.5% improving by
two symptom grades, and 31% being
relieved of all symptoms.
If you or a loved one is suffering from whiplash, make an
appointment with a doctor
of chiropractic. As the authors of this study conclude, when
it comes to treating whiplash,
"chiropractic is the only proven effective treatment."
Khan S, Cook J, Gargan M, et al. Asymptomatic classification
of whiplash injury and
the implications for treatment. Journal of Orthopaedic Medicine
1999: Vol. 21, No.
1, pp22-25.
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