Controlling Back Pain With Chiropractic Care

Posted on: 10 October 2018

If you have ever sustained a whiplash neck injury as a result of a car accident, then you know how violent the whipping back and forth motions can be. If your are seeking alternatives to prescription pain medications to relieve your discomfort, then consider the expertise of an auto accident chiropractor services professional.

Chiropractic care not only refers to spinal manipulation, but also to natural remedies that can help treat the entire body holistically. Here are three natural remedies that your chiropractor may recommend for your whiplash pain and why they are so beneficial:

Fish Oil Supplements

Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are thought to help suppress systemic inflammation, enhance cardiovascular health, and relieve pain. Your chiropractor may recommend that you increase your consumption of fatty fish such as salmon or tuna, however, if you prefer not to eat seafood, fish oil supplements may be recommended instead.

Be sure to tell your chiropractor about the medications you take because certain drugs can interact with omega-3 fatty acids. For example, if you take prescription anticoagulants, or blood thinners, or if you take a daily aspirin, increasing your fish oil intake may place you at a greater risk for experiencing abnormal bleeding.

Tart Cherry Juice

Another natural remedy that your chiropractic physician may recommend to help you cope with whiplash pain is tart cherry juice. Like fish oil, tart cherry juice can help suppress inflammation, including inflammation of the muscles and joints in your neck.

Another benefit of tart cherry juice is its profound effect on sleep. Whiplash pain can make sleep difficult, and your pain may even get worse if you suffer from insomnia. Drinking just a couple of ounces of tart cherry juice may induce drowsiness and relaxation, helping to promote recuperative sleep so that your neck can heal. It is important to note, that while cherry juice can help diminish neck pain and promote quality sleep, drinking too much can lead to abdominal cramping and diarrhea as a result of certain chemicals in the pigmented cherry skin. 

Neck Massage

Your chiropractor has extensive experience in therapeutic massage. Whiplash injuries respond well to massage, however, it should only be performed by a health care professionals who have anatomy and physiology expertise.

Getting a neck massage from someone inexperienced in whiplash injuries may worsen your symptoms, and may even put you at risk for long-term mobility complications. In addition to relieving pain, neck massage can also help relax tense muscles, while promoting quality sleep.

If you are in a motor vehicle accident and sustain a whiplash injury, make an appointment with your chiropractor. The sooner natural interventions are implemented, the sooner the healing process can begin.